Brothers and Sisters,

My name is Kristiaan Zandwyk-De Haas and I am a member of the Decertification Committee that has
been formed at the Toronto West Detention Center.
A little about me, I am 37, married father of 2. I have been in Corrections for 13 years, the son of a CO
who worked for 22 years till his death. I attended Humber College in the Ambulance and Emergency
Care Program and worked with the Bradford Ambulance Service for about 1 year. Then bounced around
a couple jobs and landed at the West.
I write you today with the idea of maintaining an open line of communication as this will be extremely
important as we venture down the difficult road to decertification, and then ultimately gaining the
proper respect we so richly deserve.
The committee is seeking interested members at the various institutions to function as Local Leaders.
They would assist in the collection of information and questions and the dissemination of any answers
and materials we are able to pass along. We feel the more informed people are the easier if will be to
embrace the change that is happening. If you would like to volunteer we ask you email your information
to oncordecertification@gmail.com We ask that all communication regarding the committee and its
efforts take place via personal emails. There are many rules involved in this process and we are finished
making mistakes. We are currently working on selecting the appropriate legal counsel, than followed by
a consultation. We hope this consult will help us focus our course of action, allowing us to expedite this
matter.
We ask that you continue to speak to your Brothers and Sisters about a pledge of $100 towards legal
fees. At this time it only serves as a pledge towards future legal expenses. You will be updated prior to
any attempt at collection. We believe that $100 is a small price to commit to help save OUR future.
OPSEU continues to fight for NO TAKEAWAYs. I submit to you in the last 2 contracts Takeaways have
been, but not limited to, CTO, Severence Packages, Sick Benefits, Weekend premium (that was given in
Lieu of a raise in the contract prior)and now I already hear that as a rallying cry and a starting point for
negotiations in the upcoming contract dispute with the employer. How bout NO WAY!!!! As a
Correctional Officer who is grossly underpaid compared to my Peer group (Police, Fire, EMS, Courts,
Federal COs) my starting point is parity with my Peers.
We also support OPSEU and Smokeys pledge for an independent legal review however, it is 2 years late
and the clock is ticking. Time is of the essence. If we dont have a resolution prior to our next contract
we will be stuck for another term of uncertainty and insecurity. The current CORR only CA Committee
was struck in response to a petition that was started to decertify. The Committee was filled with senior
well respected Officers. So the opportunity was given to that Committee to move forward.
Unfortunately OPSEU failed that committee. They accidentally hired a lawyer to represent their
(OPSEU) interests. To us it smells of a stall or diversionary tactic. This time we wont make the same
mistake.
In closing I ask you not to fear the potential for change but embrace it. It doesnt hurt to dream big.
Look at your pay stubs. Look at that due amount and ask yourself if youre getting your monies worth.
Its time we looked after each other with the things that matter to Correctional Officers. I see Police
Associations with large club houses, negotiating fair contracts, and making gains in their benefit
packages. Our Federal Brother and Sisters have won many battles for fair wages and benefits. Let these
groups and their Solidarity show us the way. Lets have the courage to take a stand. Lets send the
message to OPSEU and Queens Park that we will no longer accept the status quo. I want you all to be
informed and educated, and then make the decision that is best for you and your family. I am confident
that once we have all of the answers OUR decision will be clear and we will have only one choice, and
we will shout it with ONE UNITED VOICE..
DECERTIFY!!!!!!!!!!

Your Brother,

Kristiaan Zandwyk De Haas