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"The employer has an obligation to take measures to minimize the risk of violence in the workplace. Staffing shortages can put the Correctional Officers and the inmates at increased risk.” — Joan Jessome, NSGEU President.
Halifax (24 June 2014) — Although the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU/NUPGE) is meeting with management to address long-term health and safety issues for correctional officers who work at the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility (CNSCF) in Burnside, the union remains concerned about the violence in the workplace on a day-to-day basis.
Working group to discuss proper staffinglevles, safety equipment and training for correctional officers
A new working group of senior management, NSGEU’s occupational health and safety officer and correctional officers are meeting regularly to address long-term health & safety issues. The working group, formed in April 2014, considers issues such as proper staffing levels, safety equipment, and training.
While the union is optimistic about working with management to develop solutions to ongoing health and safety issues and have had some progress to date, they are concerned about the recent violence in the CNSCF and the continued issue of understaffing on a day-to-day basis.
Every worker has the right to a safe workplace, says NSGEU/NUPGE
“Correctional officers at the CNSCF are professionals who take pride in the work they do and the public service they provide,” says Jessome. “Every worker has a right to a safe workplace and the employer has an obligation to take measures to minimize the risk of violence in the workplace. This includes ensuring proper levels of staffing are in place at all times. Staffing shortages can put the Correctional Officers and the inmates at increased risk.”
The NSGEU/NUPGE represents correctional officers who work inp rovincial correctional facilities.
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The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is one of Canada's largest labour organizations with over 340,000 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