Prince Albert Correctional Centre. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Labour relations

Union representing correctional workers frustrated with lack of movement from government

Feb 6, 2024 | 2:35 PM

Labour unrest within the province is not limited to teachers.

Members of the public service and government employees union (SGEU), which includes correctional officers, social workers and conservation officers, have been without a contract since the fall of 2022 and bargaining with the government is at a standstill

Unlike teachers, members of SGEU are considered an essential service, complicating the ability to strike. Lori Bossaer, chair of the PS/GE’s negotiating committee, told paNOW her goal is to get a fair deal reached at the bargaining table.

“Even to prepare to go on strike or in the event we get to a point where that’s where we think we want to go, we have to jump through a bunch of hoops,” she explained.

With respect to issues, Bossaer explained they have accepted 0’s for a number of years and would like a bump in pay that better reflects the growing economy and the inflation rate.

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There’s also been concerns raised with respect to working conditions and overall safety. Bossaer cited the example of members working at the correctional centres, dealing for years with short staffing and trying to manage buildings that are overcrowded with inmates.

“A lot of them are forced to work overtime. A lot of them will volunteer, but then it creates burnout and then of course when you’re burnt out, you have to take time off to look after your own mental well being,” she said.

With respect to social workers, Bossaer said safety issues arise when members are meeting with clients alone, often in unsecured interview rooms.

“Some of the social workers have been assaulted”, she said, adding there’s also a heavy toll on mental health, citing child protection cases that are horrific.

Bossaer added many social workers, out of concern for their clients’ well being, are working many hours over their scheduled hours at no pay because management will say they have no overtime to give.

Reiterating that their goal is to negotiate a fair contract at the table and that going on strike is a last resort, Bossaer said they have not met since January and only discussed an essential services agreement.

“We’ll probably be looking at an impasse notice,” she said, which indicates the possibility of third party conciliation.

A correctional officer who reached out to paNOW, and for obvious reasons requested anonymity, expressed frustration over getting paid less than others who are doing the same job in other parts of the country. They also explained due to a lack of support from management, it’s getting harder to keep good staff.

“With the rise is drugs, overdoses, staff assaults, weapons, and package throwovers/drone drops almost a daily occurrence, some packages contain weapons like knives. Our job just keeps getting more and more dangerous,” they said.

According to a statement provided by the provincial government, as negotiations are ongoing, they are not able to comment.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell