Your Component Executive is deeply concerned with the Employer's continued reliance on overtime to make up for the fact more than 10% of Corrections and Sheriffs have left for other jobs since January 1, 2007. The amount of overtime some members are asked to perform is becoming unreasonable and unsustainable. It is likely accelerating the burnout rate of workers in an already difficult work environment.

The Component Executive reminds members that the Master Agreement is clear, you have the right to refuse overtime:

Article 16.9 Right to Refuse Overtime

a) All employees shall have the right to refuse to work overtime, except when required to do so in emergency situations, without being subject to disciplinary action for so refusing.

The Component 1 agreement is also clear on the definition of emergencies:

Article 11 - Emergencies Defined

A sudden unexpected or unforeseen situation or occurrence or set of circumstances demanding an immediate action.

Operational requirements or short-staffing alone do not constitute an emergency.

The Component Executive encourages Stewards and Local Executives to monitor and document where overtime is being used to make up for staffing shortages.

We are also interested to learn of situations in the past 30 days where members have refused overtime and an emergency has been declared or members have faced disciplinary action.

The component plans on tracking this information to see how widespread the problem is and begin to look for solutions.

Please contact your Local Chair. You'll find their names and contact information at:

www.bcgeu.ca/C01_executive

In Solidarity,
Dean Purdy
Chair, Correctional and Sheriff Services Component

cope 378 / cep 467

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