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“Things have reached a boiling point and the workers felt that there was no other alternative than to have a public demonstration.” — Jerry Earle, NAPE President
St. John's (12 Nov. 2015) — Workers with Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP), who are members of the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Public and Private Employees (NAPE/NUPGE), will be holding a demonstration tomorrow to voice their concerns about working conditions, health and safety matters, and ongoing issues with management.
Correctional officers across the province will be joining these workers in support and solidarity at their respective facilities.
Demonstration will highlight unsafe conditions at Her Majesty's Penitentiary
Workers will gather at Her Majesty's Penitentiary in St. John's at noon on November 13.
“For years, our members at HMP have been dealing with escalating acts and threats of violence, riots, gang-related activity, a crumbling infrastructure, and postponements of a new correctional facility,” said NAPE President Jerry Earle.
"As if this wasn’t enough, management has recently taken a heavy-handed approach to dealing with the staff at the facility — an approach that might contravene the collective agreement," Earle said.
NAPE/NUPGE concerned that HMP is at a "boiling point"
“All of these factors have contributed to a poisoned and incredibly stressful and unsafe work environment,” continued Earle. “Things have reached a boiling point and the workers felt that there was no other alternative than to have a public demonstration.”
Correctional officers are using the demonstration to bring their concerns regarding the health, safety, and protection of themselves, inmates, visitors, and volunteers to the public’s attention.
NUPGE
The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 360,000 members. Our mission is to improve the lives of working families and to build a stronger Canada by ensuring our common wealth is used for the common good. NUPGE