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According to SGEU’s lawyer, Crystal L. Norbeck, the members did far more than that. The union cast the protest as so disruptive that it caused other members to leave, thus impeding voting on a memorandum of understanding toward a new collective agreement.

“We allege a threatening and hostile volatile atmosphere at meetings,” she said.

Norbeck accused the members of yelling, swearing, breaking rules, wearing “smearing T-shirts” and even “perpetrating violence.” She said they created “an environment of chaos.”

But the dissident members insisted they were merely trying to ask questions to hold union leadership accountable and get answers on a deal they view as unfair.

Benji Hazen, one of the correctional officers, said SGEU is trying to “muzzle” its members.

“This is unprecedented,” he said.

Norbeck acknowledged that it was the first time a union has accused its own members of an unfair labour practice under the Saskatchewan Employment Act. But she pointed to sections of the act that forbid anyone from using coercion, threats or intimidation to interfere with union activity.

Arlen Nickel, chief shop steward for the Regina correctional workers, said he’s worried about the precedent the board would set if it ruled in favour of SGEU.

“This could be a huge potential issue when it comes to the freedom of expression, the freedom of opinion, if this is stopped,” he said of the protests. “This could have a major trickle-down effect through the entire labour movement.”