OPSEU’s fight to keep the Walkerton and Owen Sound jails open is gaining strength.
Local 225 President Gerry Hope says he’s on a mission to gather as much municipal and County support as he can this month.
Hope has written a motion — pressuring the McGuinty government to rethink the jail closure and consider the adverse affects such a move will have on local employment, the economy and social service agencies.
Brockton, Hanover, West Grey and Bruce County have already passed a motion to keep the jails open.
Another motion will come before Brockton Council tonight — calling for the construction of a new regional jail in Walkerton.
Hope wants the public to do their part.
He believes a public campaign is the best shot to keep the jails open.
Hope is urging residents to call the Premier’s Office as well as MPP Carol Mitchell and Minister of Corrections Jim Bradley.
Hope believes once the Liberals realize the large amount of public support the unions have, the province may have second thoughts about the jail closure.
But Hope wants to do all this before the Legislature breaks for the summer on June 2nd because by the time the Fall sitting begins — the jails may already be closed.
