N.S. news: Jail guards rally over staff retention problems [Video]

HALIFAX –

A group of unionized Nova Scotia jail guards marched in driving rain Thursday to draw attention to what they say are “crisis” working conditions.

About 40 members of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union waved placards as a four-piece Dixieland band played outside a provincial government office building in downtown Halifax.

About 400 correctional officers across the province are represented by the province’s largest union, which has been in contract talks with the provincial government since September.

Hugh Gillis, a jail guard and first vice-president with the union, said the guards need more help from the Justice Department in dealing with issues such as staff retention and better pay.

“We are looking for Premier Tim Houston to appoint a justice minister who will work with us to get to the root of some of the retention problems here in the province of Nova Scotia,” said Gillis. “We can’t retain our correctional officers at our facilities, and it’s taking a big …