OPSEU/SEFPO calls for end to harassment against front-line workers at London jail

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July 23, 2021 - 6:49 pm
Press Release
Ontario Public Service - Correctional Bargaining Unit
Ministry of the Solicitor General - Corrections
Ministry Employee Relations Committee [MERC]
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Toronto – OPSEU/SEFPO President Warren (Smokey) Thomas is calling for an end to the
violent threats and harassment against correctional workers at the Elgin-Middlesex
Detention Centre (EMDC), saying cooler heads must prevail while the investigative
process unfolds.

“OPSEU/SEFPO supports people’s right to protest,” Thomas said during a media

conference organized by the union. “But we cannot allow threats and intimidation
against front-line workers. All parties must take a step back and let the
investigative agencies do their job; not speculate based on jailhouse gossip.”

Since July 17, correctional staff at EMDC have faced numerous threats by members of
outlaw biker gangs, following the death of an inmate at the London jail and a
series of unsubstantiated media reports. The union is calling on the Ministry of
the Solicitor General to intervene.

“We’ve called on the Solicitor General to take immediate action to protect front-
line correctional staff and denounce the vicious threats and harassment by these
outlaw biker gangs,” said Thomas. “Nobody should be threatened with violence when
reporting to work, especially those who put their lives on the line to protect
others and keep our communities safe. To the Minister’s credit, she has responded
in part to our concerns.”

OPSEU/SEFPO Corrections Ministry-Employee Relations Committee (MERC) Co-Chair Chad

Oldfield pointed to the already dangerous, and high-stress environment in which
correctional staff work.

“Correctional workers, including our members from EMDC, have some of the toughest
jobs in Ontario,” said Oldfield. “On top of working in extremely dangerous
environments, we are working in facilities that are chronically under-resourced and
under-staffed, and have been for years. The Ministry needs to make a further, long-
term financial commitment to addressing the conditions and staffing levels at EMDC
and all of the institutions across the province.”

The union, which represents some 9,000 correctional workers, says these dedicated
individuals work in corrections because they want to protect their community and
keep it safe.

“The staff working in our jails are part of the community,” said OPSEU/SEFPO First
Vice-President/Treasurer Eduardo (Eddy) Almeida. “A death in the workplace hits
them hard as well – it’s a tragedy that they also feel. But, despite the trauma and
difficulty, they continue to show up. They’ve shown up during the COVID crisis,
throughout the opioid crisis and long before that too.

“It’s time for the Ministry to do the same,” said Almeida. “To show up for front-
line workers and inmates, and fix the crisis in corrections once and for all.”

For more information: Warren (Smokey) Thomas, 613-329-1931

opseucommunications@opseu.org