Shame on Banyan

Banyan Community Services is demanding an unacceptable concession to an invaluable benefit. Banyan will Lock Out the Peninsula Youth Centre staff of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 216 on July 23, 2026 if a deal without concessions is not reached.

Curious who stands behind it all? Find out below.

Why Bank?

Being able to Bank overtime hours is a standard benefit in our field. Working with high needs clients can be stressful and dangerous. Having a lieu time bank helps to ensure a healthy Work/Life balance. It helps with staff morale and helps prevent burnout, or worse. A lieu bank helps with unexpected time off for family/personal events or emergencies.

Please take a look at this list:

Youth Justice Services

  • David S. Horne Open Custody: Can choose to bank hours (up to ~200hrs) or be paid.
  • Sprucedale Youth Centre: Can choose to bank or to be paid out.
  • William E. Hay Youth Centre: Can (must) bank. Up to 40 hours in bank, then paid out.
  • Roy McMurtry Youth Centre: Can choose to bank or to be paid out.
  • Justice Ronald Lester Youth Centre: Can choose to bank or to be paid out.
  • Kennedy House Youth Centre: Can bank overtime hours.
  • Cecil Facer Youth Centre: Can choose to bank or to be paid out.
  • Donald Doucet Youth Centre: Can choose to bank or to be paid out.
  • Murray McKinnon Foundation: Can choose to bank or be paid out.
  • St. Lawrence Youth Association: Can choose to bank (up to 60hrs in bank) or be paid out.
  • William W. Creighton Youth Services: Can choose to bank or be paid out.
  • Arrell Youth Centre: Can choose to bank or be paid out.

Secure Youth Mental Health

  • Syl Apps Youth Centre: Can choose to bank or to be paid out.

Adult Justice

  • Niagara Regional Police: Can choose to bank (up to ~250hrs) or be paid out.
  • Hamilton Police: Can choose to bank or be paid out.
  • Niagara Parks Police: Can choose to bank (up to 100hrs) or be paid out.
  • Niagara Detention Centre: Can choose to bank or be paid out.
  • Millhaven Institution (CSC): Can choose to bank or be paid out.
  • RCMP: Can choose to bank (for certain work) or to be paid out.
  • Canada Border Services Agency: Can choose to bank (up to 100hrs), be paid, or do 50/50 split.

As you can see, this is indeed a nearly universal benefit for Youth Justice professionals. All of these organizations have staffing and scheduling issues, but are able to manage nonetheless. Why then does Banyan want to completely eliminate the lieu bank option for Peninsula Youth Centre staff? These questions have been posed at the Bargaining table but have gone unanswered. There has been no substantive bargaining on this issue - Banyan has adopted a 'take it or you're locked out' approach from day one.

A No Board report has been issued by the Ministry of Labour. PYC Staff will be Locked Out on July 23rd at 12:01am if Banyan does not drop this unreasonable demand.

Sincerely,
The PYC Bargaining Team
Shaun Somers (25 years at Banyan)
Brad MacLachlan (26 years at Banyan)
Pat Cortese (17 years at Banyan)

Who is responsible?