As a unionist I don't accept that we are supposed to just assume the risk that our job places on us without the employer taking all reasonable precautions under the Health and Safety act to protect us.
Certain events have unfolded and with respect to our member's need for confidentiality I won't discuss the details in this forum, but will state that we are actively involved.
I can share that the Local executive has met with the employer to react to the threat and be proactive toward the future of what might be happening in our workplaces. A number of concerns were raised with the physical structure, the policy surrounding the assessment of a threat, and the communication to the staff of what is occurring and who needs to be notified.
OPSEU's head office is also aware and assisting us in dealing with this issue at the MERC level.
The local executive members who are on the Provincial Health and Safety Committee also shared a conference call with the employer to discuss the matters and to set up an emergency meeting to further discuss the issues. Further details will be forthcoming as they are available.
I also wish to remind members to be aware of your role in the health and safety aspects of what we do. I would recommend some of the following;
- Wait to put your uniform on when you are in the building
- Park in different areas
- Take different routes home and to work
- Leave at different times to get to work
- Add one extra turn to your route to confirm if you are being followed
- Report suspicious activity, don't discount it
- Report threats to the employer and the union so we can act
- Don't discuss your life and co-workers in front of strangers or our clientele
- Be a maximum security proponent, not its' opponent
As always it is up to us to take care of each other.
A favourite saying I have goes like this-
We are the keepers of the kept, but who watches the watch person?
In solidarity, Emidio.
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