With drug use and violence among inmates on the rise, the union representing Stony Mountain Institution correctional officers says it’s time members are better respected for the dangerous work they do.
The union held an an informational event Tuesday at the Manitoba federal facility to rally support from membership as the union prepared to enter monetary negotiations.
The action is a response to an offer presented to correctional officers in June, which the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers deemed unacceptable.
AARON EPP / FREE PRESS
Justin Kelsch of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers says guards at Stony Mountain Institution work as police, paramedics and firefighters, all rolled into one.
The offer did not reflect the value of the work correctional officers do, Justin Kelsch, president of the union’s Stony Mountain branch, said.
“We just want to be paid for the job that we do,” Kelsch said. “We’re looking for a fair and equitable contract.”
Kelsch has observed increasing levels of drug use and violence among inmates during his 16 years as a correctional officer, and says that within the walls of the institution, he and his colleagues are law enforcement, paramedics and firefighters, all rolled into one.
The union collects statistics to document what corrections officers face. According to last month’s statistics, two Stony Mountain staff were assaulted and there were 19 inmate assaults or fights. They responded to nine instances of inmate self-injury and saved the lives of four inmates. Corrections officers seized 62 handmade weapons and found drugs 73 times.
Union representatives slowed traffic entering Stony Mountain on Tuesday, allowing correctional officers who were arriving for work to learn about the latest updates on negotiations and ask questions.
The previous agreement between the Treasury Board of Canada and the union expired May 31, 2022. The two parties are scheduled to negotiate Tuesday through Thursday.
“We look forward to them hopefully coming with a fair, reasonable offer,” Kelsch said.
aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
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