Congratulations to the members of the Corrections division that were elected on the weekend to the Executive Board. Good luck and do us proud!
We have been busy answering a lot of questions about the latest lock talk. This course of action was not taken lightly by all concerned. I feel we needed to send a clear message to the employer that the proper way of doing business is through the Local Executive Committees and the MERC’s.
The tone and language used in the latest Lock Talk is strong for a reason. The Corrections Bargaining Unit has not been shown any respect. After nine month’s the Deputy Minister still hasn’t even met with the members of the MERC. That sends a clear message in itself. For the record the badge thing…we fought hard for that at the MERC level to get them for years…and the “Retirement Memorabilia” again brought up at the MERC table...our idea…I guess it sounds better when it’s your idea.
I don’t care what happened during bargaining, I wasn't there and it’s over. We do not need four years of being notified of changes to long standing policies and memo’s telling us of new practices without our meaningful input and participation. What is going to be next?
We are now back to normal relations and we have a proper way of doing business. I feel if we do not respect each others roles and positions we hold, then the last two years of building a stronger working relationship was just a waste of time.
The more things change the more they stay the same…
In Solidarity,
Dan Sidsworth
