Local OPSEU representatives say a tentative deal has been reached for provincial corrections workers.
The news first came down just after 6am Saturday, with OPSEU local 135 tweeting the following:
Tentative Agreement Reached. I have no other details at this time. I do have conference call at 10 and will update soon thereafter.
— President 135 (@opseu135) January 9, 2016
OPSEU has since confirmed the deal stating it has "[settled] all outstanding issues in contract talks with the Government of Ontario." They add negotiations took place through the night Friday, into the early hours of Saturday morning.
As part of the negotiations, the union says corrections workers have been declared an “essential service,” meaning they will no longer have the right to strike, and future bargaining disputes will be determined by binding arbitration.
Another part of the deal is a commitment to lift a long-standing hiring freeze and hire at least 25 new probation and parole officers.
On Friday, corrections workers with OPSEU Local 135 were preparing to hit the picket line as of 12:01am on Sunday.
Key issues for the union in reaching a deal are pay and essential service designation — issues apparently not sufficiently addressed in another tentative agreement members rejected in the past. On Friday, Local 135 President Randy Simpraga said any new deal would need to see significant changes.
"They need to throw a pretty good 'Hail Mary' here and I'm not talking a Detroit Lions type of 'Hail Mary' I'm talking about a good solid offer, because don't bring me junk," says Simpraga. "Our members are hopeful, but if they do bring us something it better be in and around where we need to be."
Simpraga tweeted later Saturday morning that there would be no ratification vote. Arbitration for a wage increase will take place within 60 days, and there will be a freeze on progression through the union's wage grid.
OPSEU represents roughtly 6,000 corrections workers in Ontario.
-With files from the Canadian Press
