l community escorts. (17) OPSEU is also involved in getting correction officers in jails to gather petition signatures against privatization. OPSEU also holds informational meetings on anti-privatization.In March, the Ontario government offered some corrections workers in OPSEU a bribe in an attempt to get them to shut up about privatization. The members refused the bribe. Also in March, Lindsay Town Council voted unanimously to oppose a private jail in their community, which was another win for OPSEU. OPSEU saw over two protests in March against privatization. The first took place in front of pro-privatization Mike Harris’ constituency office. The second protest involved a truckload of steaming cow manure with signs in it saying “Stop the B.S. – Come Clean on Private Jails.” (18) Both protests made the front pages of their respective newspapers. In March alone, OPSEU gained the support of 18 municipalities thanks to the Lambton County Council that passed the no private prison resolution. This council just happens to speak for 18 municipalities. (19) March 2000 was a very successful month for OPSEU.In April, over 400 members of OPSEU and citizens showed up in the town of Penetanguishene to hear Corrections Minister Rob Sampson try to justify his privatization plans. Sampson was not successful in justifying his plans and was overwhelmed by the crowd’s questions. He lost his composure after the first two questions. (20) Also in April, three townships pass the resolution in support of public jails.The past few months have been very successful for OPSEU. As they stepped up their campaign against private prisons, they have gained the support of quite a few municipalities and influential people and have expanded their resources. It will be interesting to see what they will accomplish in the next year in Ontario in their crusade against privatization.There aren’t very many citizen groups against private pris...
