On December 2-3, National President David Neufeld and Regional Vice-President Laurie Ann Wesselby (CSC Atlantic) visited three CSC sites in the Atlantic Region.
On December 2, the representatives visited members at Dorchester Complex in Dorchester, NB. Opened on July 14, 1880, the institution is the second oldest continuously operating corrections facility in Canada. It is a multi-level security, male facility which houses both Medium- and Minimum-security level offenders. There are 413 beds at the Medium security institution and 302 beds at the Minimum security institution.
The visit began at Dorchester Medium where President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby were greeted by Local President Amber Lyman. The union representatives were given an extensive tour of the facility and the opportunity to speak to various members of the case management team (Parole Officer, Correctional Program Officer, Social Program Officer and Administrative Assistants). These discussions provided a greater level of insight into some of the challenges the site is currently facing around workloads (particularly for Parole Officers), inmate population management, and health and safety. RVP Wesselby and the Local intend to follow up on these issues with local management through the Labour Management process and the Local Occupational Health and Safety.
President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby also visited the Food Service Officers (FOS) in the finishing kitchen to provide an update on USJE’s Food Service Officer Campaign. They highlighted the campaign’s ongoing advocacy as it relates to FOS training, the need for more resources (staffing), improving health and safety issues (security in the kitchen) and properly maintaining kitchen equipment.
During the lunch period, President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby went to the Minimum side of the Complex and attended the Annual General Meeting for Local 60128. Local President Lorna Thorburn led the meeting with approximately 20 members in attendance. RVP Wesselby conducted a vote for the vacant Chief Shop Steward position.
President Neufeld was given an opportunity to speak to the group and provided updates on many ongoing USJE Campaigns, collective bargaining and the union’s focus on budget cuts within the department. Members were reminded to follow the provisions in their Collective Agreement and to ensure they work with their supervisors to prioritize tasks when workloads become unmanageable. The members then engaged in a question-and-answer session with President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby and focused on issues around Duty to Accommodate, Return to Work and the removal of the Inmate Training Differential from FOS members.
The day ended with a stop at the Regional Food Production Center. President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby spoke to a few USJE members and the FOS 09 manager about USJE’s FOS Campaign.
On December 3, President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby visited CORCAN Community Industries in Moncton, NB. This was the first time that both union representatives have visited a CORCAN Community Industries site.
President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby were greeted at the site by Local 60142 President Carol Fortin, and Local Vice-President Melissa Sauve. The group was given an extensive tour of the facilities by Henry Wojcicki, a CORCAN Installer and USJE member.
In 1989, CORCAN opened a woodworking shop in Moncton to provide offenders on conditional release in the community with the opportunity to gain training and work experience in shipping and inventory management. Today, it is a high-performing wood shop and warehouse facility, employing up to 20 offenders on work release or parole who work in the warehouse and produce:
- Solid wood and plywood products such as folding leg tables
- Laminate and veneer office furniture
- Laminate and melamine kitchen cabinets and millwork
- Custom wood furniture and cabinetry
The union representatives learned that the site helps offenders transition from the institution to regular employment in the community. It is specifically set up to assist those who find the transition difficult, by providing short-term work experience in a controlled and supportive environment.
The site also has a Community Employment Coordinator. This USJE member helps to connect offenders on release with businesses in the Moncton area for employment opportunities.
President Neufeld and RVP Wesselby would like to thank all the local union representatives for their hospitality and assistance during these site visits. The visits were very insightful and were a great opportunity to connect with many USJE front line members.
The representatives would also like to thank Warden Chris Lam (Dorchester Complex) and Claude Chavarie (Regional Manager Operation CORCAN) for providing the time to meet with USJE members and for engaging with them during the visits.