Correctional Officers Rally for Better Wages

Nova Scotia Corrections Officers are the lowest paid in the country and working conditions continue to get worse as staffing levels remain low, putting staff working in these facilities at risk. On December 5 Corrections Officers from across the province came to Halifax to hold an information rally outside the Department of Justice.

The purpose of the rally was to be seen by the employer and send a message that corrections is an important job but the working conditions in the facilities are now exceeding crisis levels. Staff must work extended shifts, and often these shifts are understaffed leaving officers to do their jobs in risky working conditions. The weather was less than ideal, with rain and high winds, but that did not stop a large gathering of COs and other NSGEU members from coming out and supporting the need for better wages.

Despite the weather, the media took interest in the rally and the COs received extensive media coverage including TV, radio and print. There is now a better understanding of the role of correctional officers in the justice system and the wage disparity across the country. Nova Scotia Sheriffs, who work with the same clientele, earn $4/hour more than Correctional Officers.
Recruitment and retention of new and existing officers is made harder because these positions are the lowest paid in Canada. Morale within the facilities is low, staff are burnt out, exhausted, dealing with mental health issues, and many are leaving for jobs that better paid and are safer.

NSGEU 1st Vice President Hugh Gillis, a Corrections Officer, attended the rally and stood with members in their fight for a living wage, and safer working conditions. Those who work in correctional facilities do an important job. They put their health and safety at risk every time they go to work. The employer must recognize that things are getting worse in these facilities and these workers are paying the price. They need government to support their work and work with the union to fix the issues in these facilities. The new Houston government has appointed Becky
Druhan to be the new Minister of Justice. It will be a top priority in the new year to meet with Minister Druhan, formerly Minister of Education, to discuss this gap in wages and the overall conditions in correctional facilities.

The NSGEU Board has also approved funding to launch a media campaign to keep this issue in the minds of government and the general public. That campaign will be released early in 2025.