CALGARY- The provincial government has filed a cease-and-desist order with the Alberta Labour Relations Board to force striking correctional officers, sheriffs and court clerks back on the job, and to prevent other provincial government workers from joining the wildcat walkout.
A hearing could be held as early as Monday evening. If the government obtains a back-to-work order, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees could be held in contempt of court if the strike is not called off.
The wildcat strike expanded Monday morning as sheriffs and some court clerks joined the correctional guards on the picket line. A number of social workers also joined the walkout.
An Alberta Justice spokesperson says police and managers are handling security at correctional facilities and courthouses.
Christine Nardella says there have been no disturbances involving inmates and they’re keeping the court system working as well as they can.
The walkout began Friday after two guards at the new Edmonton Remand Centre were suspended when they complained about safety at the facility, which started taking inmates for the first time earlier this month.
The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees says striking employees won’t return to work until the dispute is resolved.
“Provincially, there’s systemic occupational health and safety issues,” says AUPE vice president Carrie-Lynn Rusznak. “We have some building issues with the Edmonton Remand Centre and that was the catalyst for all of this. Provincially, we have been trying to address the issues we have with all of our corrections officers, probation officers and sheriffs.”
Rusznak says the AUPE first raised occupational health and safety concerns five years ago, but the province has failed to address them.
RCMP and police officers have been called in to guard courtrooms and escort prisoners.
Calgary defence lawyer Andre Ouellette says he supports the job action.
“My view of it is that this action is necessary and I’m fully supportive of it,” says Ouellette, who worked as a correctional officer part time while he was attending law school. “It’s been a government that’s been very high-handed when dealing with people.”
The job walkout is affecting prisoner transports to and from the Calgary Courts Centre, according to defence lawyer Shamser Kothari.
“The strike’s obviously a little bit of a concern because we can’t actually have our clients at the courthouse today – they’re not doing transports,” Kothari told Global.
Some court workers in Calgary have joined the wildcat walkout, a development which Kothari says could have a major impact on court proceedings.
“If the court house grinds to a halt, then there would be serious concern as to the delays it would cause individuals with their trials, bail hearings or sentencings,” he warns.
With files from Canadian Press
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