CRG MEMBERS POST-EESA UPDATE!

As we are all well aware, the union released the signed Essential and
Emergency Services Agreement and a countdown has begun to a strike
deadline.
The CRG has spent the Christmas season getting in touch with our legal
team, reviewing the agreement, and researching its impact on our abilities to
pursue the over-all goal of the CRG.
Accepting the advice of our legal team, we have concluded that the present
EESA, as written, does not place any obligation on the employees to either
be scheduled/available for duty, or compelled to perform any work during
our strike action.
The Emergency clause, as written, only places restrictions on our rightto-strike in an Imminent Emergency, which is extreme in nature
compared to normal duties. This emergency clause neither interferes nor
places onus on us, which might otherwise impede our ability to strike. Nor
does it give the employer/government the right to place restrictions on our
right-to-strike in anticipation of an emergency.
Our ultimate conclusion is that CRGs actions have been successful in
obtaining our right, under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to an
unimpeded right to a strike. The CRG speakers group would like to
acknowledge all our supportive Members for standing up for their rights.
You have helped us prove that in Canada, a Governments power is not
absolute. It is limited to reasonable expectations. The resolve of our
Members to defend their rights has to be commended and applauded. Our
Members have shown the true worth of united workers fighting for a cause!
Now that we have reached this goal, it is up to OPSEUs Corrections
Division Members to exercise an unimpeded strike in order to achieve its
ultimate goal: recognition as a truly essential service. Such recognition
would eliminate the present dilemma caused by the employer/government
placing correctional employees in a conflict between their duty to protect the

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CRG MEMBERS POST-EESA UPDATE!

public safety, while defending their right to receive fair and proper
compensation for their challenging work as Law Enforcement professionals.
Thus, the CRG intends to vigilantly monitor the present situation to its
completion, to ensure our right-to-strike is maintained, and Emergency
conditions are not abused by the Employer.
When necessary, we shall also continue to utilize our legal team - especially
to review EVERY contract offer. For in addition to fair wages, we remain
committed to OUR ultimate goals of being deemed Essential with a
mandatory version of binding arbitration as a means of resolving bargaining
impasses. We shall continue to share this resource with CRGs Team Leaders
through the usual - and hopefully expanding - CRG channels.
We wish to remind our members just how far you have helped us progress
within the last two years! CRG formed within a Division that suffered
chronic wage-suppression, due to ineffective restrictions placed on how it
was allowed by law, to run its strikes. These problematic terms were dictated
by the government our Employer, and caused significant impediment to
achieving wages and benefits comparable to other elements within Law
Enforcement.
Please keep this in mind during this contract time! Appreciate the
opportunity WE now have to finally achieve the respect and recognition
originally accorded to us by Judge Barry Shapiro as both first responders,
and essential servants within Ontarios integrated justice system.
With the Greatest Gratitude, Respect, and Appreciation!
The CRG Executive, comprising of:
Larry Augustine
Conrad Gareau
Kerry Kaufman
Barry Roy
Glenn Stockfish

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