Message from the National Executive
On June 4, 2026, your National Executive participated in the National Labour Management Committee (NLMC/CNPS) and bilateral meetings with the Correctional Service of Canada. Our discussions focused on member safety, institutional violence, staffing, workplace wellness, government expenditure reductions, and the future direction of CSC operations.
Violence and Institutional Safety
The union raised serious concerns regarding the increasing levels of violence, drugs, and recent staff assaults and inmate homicides within federal institutions. We emphasized the impact these incidents have on correctional officers who are required to respond to critical events.
The National Executive continues to press CSC for meaningful action, stronger consequences for inmate violence, and improved security measures. We noted that the current broken system of charges for inmate behaviour is leading to officer disengagement and has emboldened inmates. During the previous NLMC a working group was struck to examine the state of institutional operations and focus on areas of improvement to positively impact staff safety and inmate accountability. The group had an initial meeting at the beginning of the week. The work of this group will be communicated as it progresses.
Comprehensive Expenditure Review (CER)
The National Executive emphasized that any proposed reduction, reassignment, or change to operational posts must be assessed for health and safety before implementation. Security posts serve essential operational, security, and safety functions, and changes can affect response capability, supervision, emergency preparedness, inmate movement, workload, and institutional security.
UCCO-SACC-CSN reminded CSC that changes to duties, staffing, procedures, or workplace hazards may trigger obligations under the Canada Labour Code. Local health and safety committees must be involved to identify risks and ensure employee safety is considered before changes are made.
The union also stressed that operational decisions cannot be driven by cost alone. Any change that may affect safety, security, emergency response, or workload must go through proper health and safety review.
Leadership Changes at CSC
The Commissioner advised that significant leadership changes will occur over the coming months, including Regional Deputy Commissioner changes and the creation of new senior executive positions. UCCO-SACC-CSN stressed the importance of strong leadership and accountability in improving morale and supporting front-line employees.
Mental Health and Employee Wellness
During Commissioner Dakalbab’s visits to institutions across the country, he has communicated the need to support staff, strengthen workplace culture, and invest in employee well-being. While UCCO-SACC-CSN welcomes this commitment, meaningful action is needed to address the pressures facing front-line correctional officers. The union also underscored the tragic loss of staff members through suicide and the urgent need for timely, effective, and meaningful mental health support. The National Executive raised concerns about the cumulative impact of workplace stress, increased exposure to violence, and critical incidents, on members’ mental health. CSC’s ongoing budget cuts and its ambivalent approach to inmate accountability (such as its recent changes to CD 585) further increase correctional officers’ psychological burden.
The National Executive remains committed to working with CSC to advance initiatives that support employee mental health, psychological safety, and overall well-being. These discussions will continue through joint committees and negotiations, where UCCO-SACC-CSN will keep advocating for resources, supports, and workplace improvements that reflect the realities faced by correctional officers.
Technology and Security Improvements
We discussed new security technologies aimed at improving institutional safety, contraband interdiction, and responses to organized criminal activity, including drone detection, cell phone jamming, artificial intelligence, and other operational tools. CSC admitted that it has decided to conduct a body-worn camera pilot. UCCO-SACC-CSN raised concerns about CSC’s decision, taken without any consultation, and stressed that, as correctional officers’ representatives, we must be involved in any discussions affecting operations, working conditions, privacy, policy, training, or discipline.
The National Executive made clear that technology must enhance security and support front-line staff, not replace officers. UCCO-SACC-CSN will continue to monitor these initiatives and insist on full consultation on any proposal affecting members. The union supports innovative solutions that improve safety and security, however, as the mandated representatives of correctional officers we insist that the CSC actively involve the union in their development, implementation, and review.
Boot Allowance and Workplace Issues
A 2024 review by the National Health and Safety Policy Committee confirmed that the boot allowance must increase to 400 dollars every two year to ensure members are reimbursed for the cost of proper safety footwear. Although the increase was recommended by all parties, it was not implemented for this fiscal year by our previous commissioner. The National Executive has raised the issue with CSC, and Commissioner Dakalbab is working with corporate finance to move the payment forward. We are pleased that the commissioner is taking this important file seriously as proper footwear is not a luxury but an essential piece of personal protective equipment that contributes directly to employee safety, injury prevention, and operational readiness.
We discussed search gloves and asked the employer to seek to accelerate the process to equip officers with gloves that are adapted to our environment. We discussed the employer’s decision to reduce time allotted for important training, and the lack of uniforms for new officers. We asked the Commissioner to facilitate another meeting with the Minister of Public Safety to ensure that he better understands our role within the public safety portfolio and the challenges brought on by the government’s choices for corrections.
Schedules
As of June 1st, the scheduling exercise resulting from our previous round of negotiations has been completed and is either currently implemented or scheduled to be implemented for September. The Executive Committee would like to thank all members of the Institutional Joint Scheduling committees, as well as our regional scheduling officers for their significant work on this file. We highlighted to management that there are various institutions that are threating another scheduling exercise in the fall when the CER changes are to be implemented, and reminded the employer of their obligations under Appendix K.
National Executive Message
The safety of our members remains our highest priority. UCCO-SACC-CSN will continue to challenge decisions that negatively impact institutional security, staffing levels, and working conditions while advocating for meaningful consultation and respect for front-line expertise. We thank all members for their continued professionalism and dedication. Unity and solidarity will remain our most powerful tool against such changes or poor government decisions.
In Solidarity,
Your National Executive
