By Wendy Lee, Local 575, inSolidarity Committee
Correctional workers, along with many allies and supportive representatives from across Ontario, rallied on July 9 at the Sheraton Centre hotel in downtown Toronto. Fair bargaining is especially critical for members of the OPSEU/SEFPO Correctional Bargaining Unit (CBU).
“Corrections staff members continue to work in overcrowded, under-funded institutions where there are increased levels of violence year after year” said OPSEU/SEFPO President JP Hornick.
Correctional workers, facing crisis levels of violence, abuse and trauma, stand in solidarity as they demand humane levels of mental health support and decent wages to address toxic levels of turnover.
The workers provided researched proposals in December 2024. The employer responded by demanding concessions – showing a clear lack of respect for workers.
Regardless, union’s bargaining team continues to try engaging with employer, proposing creative measures and fortified investments to address the crisis in corrections.
- A High‑Risk, Emotionally Charged Workplace
Correctional workers face inherently dangerous and traumatic environments every day. They deal with violence, overcrowding, and threat levels among incarcerated individuals -far beyond what typical public sector staff experience. The workplace’s severe demands hit both physically and mentally – making improved mental health supports absolutely essential.
- Crisis Conditions Demand Recognition
Understaffing, rising incidents of assaults against staff (on average three per day ), and overcrowding have created unsustainable conditions inside Ontario’s correctional facilities. The employer’s offers are inadequate and out of touch with the realities correctional staff face.
- Bargaining Means Impact on Recruitment and Retention
Workers highlight that low wages and limited benefits contribute to serious staffing crises in Corrections. Fair compensation is essential to retain experienced staff and ensure public safety.
- Workers’ Rights and Democratic Process
Members mobilized signatures—more than 8,000 members have signed to support their proposals at the bargaining table. They rallied in protest when Employer proposals showed a lack of understanding, reinforcing the principle that collective bargaining should be transparent, respectful, and led by worker-elected representatives.
With the average life expectancy of a correctional officer at 58 years of age, who would ever dream to enter into such a tough arena and then be left to stand alone? These members need a safe environment with fair wages and benefits.
Fair Bargaining
Fair bargaining for CBU members means:
- Achieving safe working conditions in an inherently high-risk environment
- Obtaining adequate wages, benefits (especially mental health), and supports needed for corrections work
- Upholding worker-driven, democratic negotiation processes
- Strengthening solidarity and bargaining power
The July rally served as a clear show of force – demonstrating unity, demanding respect, and insisting on a collective agreement that truly meets the needs of Ontario’s corrections workers.
In their own words
Here’s what the workers have to say, in their own words:
Ryan Gilchrist Correctional Officer from Penetanguishene
Ryan – who has attended more funerals than retirement parties for his colleagues – rallied in 2015 and is rallying again. “There have been recorded high numbers” of violence in the corrections institutions which includes assaults on correctional staff — On average, two to three correctional officers assaulted every single day.” This is due in part to unrest of inmates where there is constant overcrowding in facilities. These events often become more traumatic.
“Although the statistics matter, what should matter even more are the people who are injured on the job. Nobody comes to work to get injured on the job. Many members require ongoing psychological, emotional and mental support as they wrestle to reconcile the trauma they experience at work which often spills into their personal lives. Mental health support is crucial to ongoing struggles that workers face.
Just because we have binding arbitration doesn’t mean that we can give up. This is our time to fight for what we believe in – assist the brothers and sisters who are silencing struggling with no in sight.”
Dana Bruno – Correctional Officer from Thunder Bay
”There are increasing numbers of suicide by correction workers since 2021. These are friends, colleagues, and individuals who have made an impact on the lives of so many others. Those that want to seek help, must do so out of their own pockets. This should be a priority for the Employer; who shouldn’t be making any concessions. If you wouldn’t find it acceptable to suddenly miss another colleague who ended their life from suicide, why should it be any different for correction workers? Mental health improvements must be made now. Enough is enough – Mental Health Matters!!”
Joel Bissonnette – Correctional Officer from Sarnia
“The job has changed a lot over the two decades. We work in high-risk environments. We experience trauma. We carry stress. This causes physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. This becomes a pipeline to burnout, with members going on medical leave before making it to retirement. Workers need to financial reassurance that when they retire, they are healthy. Their pension must reflect the losses taken from them.
The job keeps getting harder and there are not enough supports out there. The compensation doesn’t come close to the risk and responsibilities that correction workers carry. One in four correctional officers leaves the profession within the first two years of service — many work from contract to contract for 6-10 years; with no sick benefits, vacation, no stable work schedule and no job security. This is not a career path. This system is ‘bleeding’ more staff than it can keep. Without effective retention strategies, recruitment will never be sustained.”
Lisa Reitano Probation and Parole Officer from Ottawa
“In the last four years, the workload of probation and parole officers have increased by 20 per cent.” Not only is there overcrowding in the facilities, the nature and the severity of the cases has increased. Correctional workers are struggling to manage caseloads that are far greater than the expected norm. Rehabilitative efforts are being hampered by unreasonably high caseload volumes.
Correctional workers are not able to meet the demands – we feel overwhelmed with an unmanageable workload. Staff are under resourced and supports are just not available. Investing in staffing is an investment in safety – rehabilitation and justice for all Ontarians.”
Casey Stewart – Kitchen Worker from Toronto
“Over 45 job classifications fall below a fair wage threshold. Jobs need to be paid significantly more per hour, with far less stress, fewer physical demands, and a reduced risk of burnout. The mental toll comes from working short-staffed every single day. We’re expected to do the same amount of work – in some cases, even more — with fewer hands due to the chronic overcrowding we face. Staff believe in the value of the work that they perform — there is an ability to have a positive influence. However, there is a lack of acknowledgement from the employer that the nature of the work and the working environment needs to be treated accordingly.
JP Hornick, OPSEU/SEFPO President
“We are here today because the Corrections Employer is not bargaining fairly. They are tabling concessions at a time when we know that understaffing and overcrowding are at levels that are unprecedented in our systems. We know that the front-line workers are suffering. In some facilities, workers are experiencing assaults on a daily basis. Correctional workers demand respect for the work that they perform. We need to say hell no to bad deals.”
Laurie Nancekivell, OPSEU/SEFPO First Vice-President/Treasurer
“What you are doing is keeping us all safe. You are a part of the safety structure of the whole province. Politicians are in no position whatsoever to know what correctional workers experience every day. However, the Employer has essentially ignored everything.
As fellow OPSEU/SEFPO members, we stand in solidarity with our corrections members as they actively participate in their bargaining talks with their Employer. More mental health support, a safe working environment and fair wages isn’t too much to ask for these days. Not only are corrections workers there to facilitate rehabilitation, they are also there to help keep the communities safe. We cannot put a price tag on safety.
Thanks to Ed Arvelin, EBM Region 7 for the video clips linked in this article.