Courthouse security dispute still unresolved

A long-running labour dispute at Prince Albert’s provincial courthouse remains unresolved, according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice.

The dispute arose in the fall of 2016 when the Saskatchewan government moved to replace 14 armed deputy sheriffs, who perform perimeter screening duties at provincial courthouses, with unarmed private contractors. Deputies took the issue to Occupational Health and Safety, arguing the move created an unsafe working environment and endangered those using the courthouse.

Since January of 2017, when OH&S upheld the employees’ right to refuse work and issued the Ministry of Justice with a notice of contravention, both the deputies and private contractors have been sharing security duties.

“Since the Notice of Contravention was filed, the Ministry has been working with OH&S to resolve the work refusal,” a Ministry of Justice spokesperson told paNOW in an email. “Since the claim was filed, we have maintained two armed deputy sheriffs and two Commissionaires at entry points to the courthouse conducting perimeter screening.”

Justice has also provided OH&S with “timely reports outlining the steps taken to resolve the work refusal,” the spokesperson said.

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The move to lay off and replace 14 deputies in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford and Weyburn was intended to save the province $308,000 annually, Justice Ministry Executive Director Drew Wilby said during a previous interview with paNOW. The spokesperson confirmed the ministry is still expecting to save that amount.

Bob Bymoen, president of the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union, said the security of the public and workers is much more important than any potential savings.

“From the union’s perspective, whether the government saves money or not is their issue,” Bymoen said. “What’s most important to us is the safety of our staff and the people using the courts.”

Bymoen said one serious breach of court security would likely negate any savings claimed by the province. Although the matter has been ongoing for more than a year, he said the deputies involved in the dispute have remained true to their principles throughout the lengthy process.

“The staff are very professional and have been very patient,” he said. “What they want to see is security and safety in these courthouses.”

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TaylorMacP