TO ALL DEPUTY SHERIFFS
COMPONENT 1
CORRECTIONS AND SHERIFFS SERVICES

The Corrections and Sheriffs Services Component has priorized a number of campaigns designed to specifically support the many issues facing our members in the Court Services Branch. Deputy Sheriffs faced layoffs just one year ago, at a time when staffing levels were already pushed to the limit. Many members are still working overtime and double-time shifts to staff provincial courtrooms, and given the increased workloads, now exacerbated by a recruitment and retention issue, the Component is concerned there will be an impact on the safety of sheriffs, judges, lawyers and the public who are part of the court system.

Deputy Sheriffs are sworn under the Criminal Code of Canada and are trained peace officers who serve as the law enforcement agency for B.C.'s Provincial Court System. They ensure the safety and security of legal proceedings in provincial courts located in regional centers across the province, and escort and transfer prisoners from correctional facilities to attend court and return as required by the court.

New Union-Management Committee established

The Component and the Court Services Branch recently signed off on a new process for Deputy Sheriffs to have meaningful consultation and input into issues, policies and procedures affecting the worksite. We have initially struck six (6) committees which are required to meet three times per year to discuss matters affecting the workplace. The following Union members have been appointed to represent you:

Local 101/102
Lower Island - Tod Purdy
Upper Island - Ugo Debassi

Local 103 (A)
Richmond, 800 Robson, North Van, 222 Main Hugh Tull, Peter Clegg, Garry Marcinowsky

Local 103 (B)
New West, Central Escorts, Port Coquitlam, ITAL
Stephen Lisik, Derrick Goodwin, Shawn O'Shea

Local 104
Surrey, Abbotsford, Chiliwack
John Sylvester, Bryce Graham

Local 105
Okanagan - Kootenays
Kelly Hunter, Nathan Davies

Local 111
Prince George - North
Jesse Gale, Eric Leblond

You are encouraged to contact your representative with any workplace concerns. Issues that remain unresolved will be referred to the Senior Article 3.1 Union Management Committee.

Article 3.1 Committee Agenda

The Component is currently discussing a number of Sheriff's concerns at this forum. Items from the last meeting include:

· range first aid requirements
· uniform issues-gloves, pants, patrol jackets, footwear, shorts
· lateral transfers and substitution procedures
· branch OSH review
· emergency equipment
· search gates
· rover/first responder
· radio communications
· firearms issues
· medication dispensing
· recruitment and retention (TMA/ wages)
· new joint committees

Minutes from the meetings are posted on the Ministry internal website.

Recruitment and Retention

Your Component has had several meetings with all levels of the Ministry, including the Minister, to push for redress to the retention issue facing Deputy Sheriffs. Along with your counterparts in the Adult and Youth Custody Division, this remains one of the Component's highest priorities. Deputy Sheriffs are leaving for work in other law enforcement agencies including Alberta Sheriffs, police departments and Canadian Border Services. We will continue to push and try to negotiate through the language in our collective agreement a market adjustment to help address this problem and make our wages comparable to similar law enforcement agencies. We are also in talks and working on negotiating a part time regular agreement (MOA) for auxiliary employees in Sheriff Services

MLA Lobby

In support of our recruitment and retention plan, your Component will be authorizing an MLA lobby campaign where our members will be able to apply political pressure on the politicians that control the Provincial Budget process. We need to raise the issue of recruitment and retention for Deputy Sheriffs directly with the politicians that can influence the allocation of funds to address our concerns.

Details of this campaign will be issued in the very near future.

Sheriff (Sergeants) Reclassification

Very recently, the Component responded to concerns by Deputy Sheriff supervisors at grid 18 and formed a committee to push ahead with a Reclassification Appeal for Sergeants. This strategy is fully supported by the Component who will assist members through the process.

Exemplary Service Medal

The Component has successfully lobbied the Attorney General which has agreed to follow-up and make this award available to Deputy Sheriffs.

Member-to-Member Campaign

At the June 15, 2007 Component meeting, it was resolved that 50% of all Component resources budgeted to the Fall Member-to-Member Campaign be allocated specifically to Deputy Sheriff work site visits. This will be a great opportunity for all Deputy Sheriffs to raise their issues with your Local Chairperson and receive updated information on your union's priorities and progress on the concerns you have been raising.

Component Representation

There are seven members on your Component Executive. Two of the seven are Deputy Sheriffs. Steve Lisik and Derrick Goodwin have ensured excellent representation for you at the Component Executive level. All of your issues are constantly reported on and diligently considered by the Component as we develop and implement our annual activity plan. We anticipate the new regional Union-Management Committee process to improve the lines of communication between Deputy Sheriffs and your Local Chair and Component.

On behalf of the Correctional and Sheriff Services Component, I hope this update indicates some of the many avenues your Component is using to improve the working conditions for all Deputy Sheriffs. I am hopeful that I will be able to report our successes in the Fall.

Thank you
In solidarity.

Dean Purdy
Component Chairperson
Correctional and Sheriff Services

Steve Lisik
1st Vice Chairperson
Deputy Sheriff
Correctional and Sheriff Services

For PDF click here.