B.C.'S UNION SINCE 1919

COMPONENT 1 - CORRECTIONS & SHERIFF SERVICES

Component 1 includes members who work as Correctional Officers in provincial prisons and as Deputy Sheriffs for the B.C. Sheriff Services.

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NEWS & UPDATES

October 02, 2017

Shortage of sheriffs still plaguing courts - BCGEU

A shortage of sheriffs closed two Victoria courtrooms and delayed trials again this week.  On Monday, both scheduled trial courts were closed because of the lack of sheriffs. A small- claims trial and a family trial, which were scheduled for a full day, were adjourned.   Read more...

September 14, 2017

Corrections & sheriffs’ wage/ retention crisis raised with new ministers - BCGEU

BCGEU senior leaders took concerns of correctional officers and deputy sheriffs right to the top in back-to-back meetings with the new BC NDP Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and Attorney General David Eby. BCGEU President Stephanie Smith and BCGEU Vice President, Component 1 Corrections and Sheriff Services, Dean Purdy presented a detailed proposal from Component ...

September 12, 2017

An injury to one is an injury to all: Show your support at PoCo Courthouse! -...

In April of this year, a corrections officer at North Fraser Pretrial Centre was the victim of a violent and targeted attack.  The court date for the inmate accused in this cowardly attack on our member has been set for Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Port Coquitlam Courthouse. Your union is asking corrections officers to attend this sentencing hearing in order to support our m...

September 12, 2017

Shortage of sheriffs in Nanaimo causes court - BCGEU

The union representing Nanaimo sheriff services is hoping a meeting this week with B.C.'s Attorney General will curb a declining workforce causing court delays. Dean Purdy, B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union's corrections and sheriff services vice-president, said sheriffs – peace officers for courts – are underpaid and losing membership to higher-paying police jobs.   Read more...

August 31, 2017

Corrections & Sheriffs Recruitment & Retention issues must be addressed - BCGEU

Dear Component 1 members,   You and I both know how important issues of recruitment and retention are in Corrections and Sheriffs Services. Closing the pay gap between our ministries and police agencies is the best way to address this.   The Victoria Times Colonist recently published this article on the topic that I want to share with you: Province looks at ways to solve sheriff shortage   Your...

August 17, 2017

Federal prisons need to be on a tight leash - BCGEU

Correctional Service Canada quietly removed caged-in exercise pens at the isolation unit of a federal prison in Alberta over the weekend. Good. Dismantling the structures, which were better suited to dog kennels than prisons, is the correct decision. Full credit is due to CSC management for making it – with a caveat.   Read more...

July 20, 2017

Join us! BCGEU member’s Walk for PTSD Awareness ends Friday at BC Legislature...

Robert Gagnon is a man on a mission. The 44-year-old B.C. corrections officer and Canadian veteran began his Walk to Raise Awareness for Veterans and First Responders with PTSD in Prince George on June 28, and will end his walk on the front steps of the B.C. Legislature in Victoria tomorrow, Friday July 21. Robert's estimated arrival at the Legislature is 3:00 p.m. We encourage BCGEU members i...

July 06, 2017

Component 1 executive keeps pressure on WCB - BCGEU

Last Friday, Dean Purdy, Vice President, Corrections and Sheriff Services Component 1 and Component Executive members Brian Campbell and Brandon Cox once again met with senior Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) officials in their second meeting since January. Your union raised a variety of issues and concerns including the need to lower officer-to-inmate ratios, a review of the latest prison vio...

June 26, 2017

BCGEU member to walk from PG to Victoria to raise funds for PTSD - BCGEU

Robert Gagnon, a correctional officer at the Prince George Correctional Centre, is about to embark on a meaningful and important mission: Gagnon is setting out to walk from Prince George to Victoria to raise funds and awareness for first responders and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Gagnon, a long-time BCGEU member and former Corporal with the Canadian Armed For...