HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-2154.Union.24-01-26 Decision
Crown Employees
Grievance Settlement
Board
Suite 600
180 Dundas St. West
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1Z8
Tel. (416) 326-1388
Commission de
règlement des griefs
des employés de la
Couronne
Bureau 600
180, rue Dundas Ouest
Toronto (Ontario) M5G 1Z8
Tél. : (416) 326-1388
GSB# 2019-2154
UNION# 2019-0999-0023
IN THE MATTER OF AN ARBITRATION
Under
THE CROWN EMPLOYEES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT
Before
THE GRIEVANCE SETTLEMENT BOARD
BETWEEN
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
(Union) Union
- and -
The Crown in Right of Ontario
(Ministry of the Solicitor General) Employer
BEFORE Ian Anderson Arbitrator
FOR THE UNION Ed Holmes
Ryder Wright Holmes Bryden Nam LLP
Counsel
FOR THE EMPLOYER Felix Lau
Treasury Board Secretariat
Legal Services Branch
Counsel
HEARING January 15, 2024
-2 -
Decision
[1] In my decision in this matter dated September 17, 2021 (2021 CanLII 95740 (ON
GSB)), I made the following finding and directions:
172 (ii) I find the installation of a camera in the central control module at SWDC
[sic: Maplehurst] does not, itself, violate the collective agreement but
that the reasonable necessity of using that camera for the purpose of
observing the passage of inmates in the hallway next to the control
module has not been established. I direct the Employer to consider
whether there are means of observing the passage of inmates in the
hallway next to the central control module which do not result in the
observation of the central control module officers. This includes, but is
not limited to, considering whether a separate camera could be installed
in the hallway.
[2] The parties disagreed as to whether the direction extended to all correctional
facilities in the province or just to Maplehurst. On January 9, 2023, on a without
prejudice or precedent basis, the parties agreed as follows:
The Union will provide to the Employer a list of every control module for which
the Union has reason to believe there is inmate movement in the hallway outside
the control module which is captured by the camera in the control module. The
list will be broken down by institution. For each such control module, the Union
will identify on the list, to the best of its knowledge, where the inmate movement
is going.
For each control module identified by the Union, the Employer will conduct a
review consisting of the following:
(a) The Employer will confirm whether or not there is inmate movement in
the hallway outside the control module which is captured by the camera in
the control module.
(b) If so, the Employer will consider whether there are means of observing the
passage of inmates in the hallway next to the control module which do not
result in the observation of the employees in the control module (the
“review”). This review will include, but is not limited to, considering
whether a separate camera could be installed in the hallway.
The Employer will share the outcome of those reviews with the Union.
The Parties will arbitrate any disputes arising from those reviews, including those
which have arisen from the review at Maplehurst, before Arbitrator Anderson.
Arbitrator Anderson will convene a case management hearing to determine how
the arbitration of any such disputes will be conducted.
-3 -
[3] The process contemplated by this agreement was completed in relation to ATRC,
CECC, CNCC, Maplehurst (Unit 5, 6 and 7 sub-control modules) and Vanier. In
relation to the control modules identified by the Union with respect to those
institutions (the “subject control modules”, the Employer has confirmed that there
is inmate movement in the hallway outside the control module which is captured
by the camera in the control module. The Employer has also advised that its
review has established that there are cameras outside the subject control
modules which capture the movement of inmates in the hallway next to the
control module and which do not result in the observation of the employees in the
control module. The process has not been completed in relation to other control
modules.
[4] The Union seeks to have the cameras in the subject control modules moved or
their field of vision altered so that they no longer capture inmate movement in the
hallway outside the control module. (In doing so, the Union seeks to ensure that
those cameras cannot be used for that purpose.) The Employer resists this
request. The parties disagree as to whether this issue which flows from the 2021
decision or their January 9, 2023 agreement. The Union indicates its intention to
file a fresh grievance with respect to that issue, which it will seek to have
consolidated with this matter. The Employer agrees the new grievance should be
consolidated with this matter, without prejudice to any of its legal rights. The
parties agree that this matter should be adjourned sine die to allow for the
processing of the new grievance.
[5] In the result, these proceedings are adjourned sine die.
Dated at Toronto, Ontario this 26th day of January, 2024.
“Ian Anderson”
Ian Anderson, Arbitrator