Close X
Saturday, November 16, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ontario Corrections Workers Give Up Right To Strike In Tentative Deal

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Jan, 2016 01:48 PM
    TORONTO — Ontario's correctional workers have given up their right to strike in the latest round of contract negotiations with the government.
    The Ontario Public Service Employees Union and the government reached an agreement early Saturday morning after a meeting with a mediator.
     
    As part of the negotiations, the union says corrections workers have been declared an "essential service," meaning they will no longer have the right to strike, and future bargaining disputes will be determined by binding arbitration.
     
    The workers, including 6,000 jail guards and probation officers, had threatened to go on strike on Sunday if a deal had not been reached.
     
    The union had hoped that correctional workers' salaries would increase to match those of first responders like firefighters and police officers when they gave up their right to strike, but this agreement doesn't touch on wages. That issue will be determined by an arbitrator in the coming months.
     
    The workers, whose last contract expired in 2014, rejected a previous tentative agreement.
     
     
    Another part of the deal is a commitment to lift a long-standing hiring freeze and hire at least 25 new probation and parole officers.
     
    Thomas said this development is "huge," although the union originally wanted 100 new probation officers, and hundreds more corrections officers and jail guards.
     
    He added the province has not agreed to hire a specific number of corrections officers.
     
    "Of course we would have liked a lot more, but we took what we could from the employer," said Tom O'Neill, chair of the correctional bargaining team.
     
    "It didn't happen overnight, and it's not going to be cured overnight, but we're definitely moving in the right direction.'
     
    The government said the settlement is consistent with its fiscal plan and will not increase the deficit.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Toronto Cab Drivers Clog City Streets In Protest Against Uber

    TORONTO — Hundreds of cab drivers descended on downtown Toronto on Wednesday to protest against the ride-hailing service Uber and call on the city to enforce its bylaws.

    Toronto Cab Drivers Clog City Streets In Protest Against Uber

    Pushed By Climate Change: Lake In Northwest Territories Falls Off Cliff

    Pushed By Climate Change: Lake In Northwest Territories Falls Off Cliff
    In a dramatic example of how climate change is altering the Arctic landscape, a small northern lake has fallen off a cliff after bursting through the melting earthen rampart that restrained it.

    Pushed By Climate Change: Lake In Northwest Territories Falls Off Cliff

    Boston College Says 120 Students Reporting Illnesses, Most Tied To Nearby Chipotle Restaurant

    Boston College Says 120 Students Reporting Illnesses, Most Tied To Nearby Chipotle Restaurant
    Boston College says more than 120 students have now reported gastrointestinal illnesses, and nearly all are students who ate at a Chipotle restaurant near campus.

    Boston College Says 120 Students Reporting Illnesses, Most Tied To Nearby Chipotle Restaurant

    Lawyer Urges B.C.'s Chief Justice To Send 'Strong Message' In Ivan Henry Case

    Lawyer Urges B.C.'s Chief Justice To Send 'Strong Message' In Ivan Henry Case
    A lawyer for the man wrongfully imprisoned for 27 years is urging a British Columbia Supreme Court judge to send a "strong message" when determining how much Ivan Henry should be compensated.

    Lawyer Urges B.C.'s Chief Justice To Send 'Strong Message' In Ivan Henry Case

    Drugs, Weapons Issues At B.C. Group Homes That Cared For Teen Who Died: Report

    VICTORIA — Newly released government documents say drugs and weapons were among the concerns at former private group homes operated by a company that cared for an 18-year-old before his death.

    Drugs, Weapons Issues At B.C. Group Homes That Cared For Teen Who Died: Report

    Transport Agency Reprimands Air Canada Over 'Paternalistic' Deaf-Blind Policy

    Carrie Moffatt booked a flight from Vancouver to Victoria in 2013 with her guide dog when she was informed she would have to fly with an attendant.

    Transport Agency Reprimands Air Canada Over 'Paternalistic' Deaf-Blind Policy