THUNDER BAY – While the Premier had a receptive audience inside where she delivered remarks, there was a group outside who weren’t in such a jovial mood.
A number of local correctional officers protested outside the Valhalla Inn Saturday morning, where Kathleen Wynne delivered remarks at the Native Women’s Association’s annual general assembly.
Wynne exited her vehicle and stopped for a few minutes to talk to the officers, who are upset with current collective bargaining negotiations with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, on her way to the airport after giving her speech inside the hotel.
OPSEU Local 737 president Michael Lundy said he was hopeful that he would have a chance to speak to the premier and received indications from Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP Michael Gravelle that Wynne intended to have a brief discussion.
“We do appreciate that she stopped to talk to us and I hope that she seriously takes those issues back to the bargaining that’s going on right now,” he said in an interview with tbnewswatch.com after his discussion.
Lundy, who was joined by OPSEU Local 708 president Shawn Bradshaw and workers from both the Thunder Bay District Jail and Thunder Bay Correctional Centre, told Wynne of their displeasure with the direction in which talks have been heading.
He said an offer received earlier this week would see OPSEU members receive a four-year wage freeze.
Wynne told the workers the government is committed to continuing the negotiating process and working towards a new deal.
Lundy also told Wynne about how the District Jail is more than 100 years old and that a new facility is required for the region.
While he was happy a talk took place, it needs to go behind that.
“I’m very satisfied she stopped to talk to us but until we see a fair contract offer, some money being spent on infrastructure in the north and fair wages I’m not satisfied,” he said.
Their collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 31.
