March 20th – National President David Neufeld and RVP Bill Bailey visited Beavercreek Institution which is located in the Town of Gravenhurst within the Muskoka region of Ontario. This was President Neufeld’s first visit to the institution and came after having received a longstanding invitation from Local President, Jason Provost.
Beaver Creek Institution first opened in 1961. It is a Minimum/Medium clustered security facility. The minimum site is based on a residential design model of small groups of accommodation houses.
President Neufeld and RVP Bailey were welcomed at the site by Local President Jason Provost, Section President Heather Whiteley, Vice-President Erin Thomas, and Vice-President of Education Albert Veenstra.
The visit began with a local meeting that included 47 USJE members from both the Minimum and Medium sides of the institution. President Neufeld took the opportunity to speak to the members about USJE’s Presumptive Injury Campaign, Food Service Officer Campaign, Hybrid Work Campaign and the new Budget Cuts Campaign.
President Neufeld also spoke about the current round of collective bargaining and shared the recent results of the PSAC National Bargaining Conference. Members were encouraged to use the new USJE political action doorknockers and to ask any federal candidates who come to their door in this next federal election where they stand on 3 top priorities for our union.
A Q&A with President Neufeld and RVP Bailey followed where members were highly engaged regarding the many topics discussed. Questions centered on what to expect with future departmental budget cuts, staffing, career opportunities at the site and Phoenix pay issues.
The USJE representatives were also given the opportunity to tour both the Minimum and Medium sides and to talk to many members personally. This included speaking to members in SIS, Corcan, teachers, Correctional Program Officers and Parole Officers.
President Neufeld and RVP Bailey would like to thank the many members who came forward during the visit and shared their experiences of working at Beavercreek in their many diverse roles.
Before ending the visit to Beavercreek Institution (Medium), the USJE local and national representatives were able to meet with Acting Warden Michelle Lucas, Deputy Warden Brent Mackey and the Assistant Warden Management Services Holly Goldthorp. The meeting’s discussions were very robust and engaging. The conversation on hybrid work was very much appreciated. It was encouraging to hear how the Local and management representatives can work on issues at the site level and their willingness to work continually on improving the working conditions at the site.
President Neufeld and RVP Bailey are extremely grateful to local management and the USJE members of the Local for the welcoming and memorable visit to Beever Creek Institution and Gravenhurst.