Uniform Changes

The new sheriff's administration has formed a uniform committee with the idea of changing our current brown leather to black. All bargaining units affected by this proposed change were asked for a representative. Union Steward Michael Turner is representing us on this committee. Our goal as stewards is to make sure the contract the members ratified is protected. Our contract reads:

"ARTICLE 32 - CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
Section 1.
Newly hired employees in the Detention Deputy class shall during the first year of employment, be provided basic uniform clothing items of the quantity, type and style prescribed by the EMPLOYER. Each Detention Deputy, after having completed one (1) full year of service, shall be eligible for a uniform clothing allowance in an amount not to exceed $485 in 2006 and $495 in 2007. The uniform shall be worn only when performing official duties as directed by the EMPLOYER or upon such special occasions as the EMPLOYER may authorize. Employees shall wear and maintain the uniform as specified by the EMPLOYER. Upon termination of employment, all uniform clothing equivalent in quantity or value to the original issued shall be returned to the EMPLOYER. Upon termination of employment, all I.D. cards, insignia and any other County property issued to, or in the possession of the employee, shall be returned to the EMPLOYER.
Section 2.
If the basic clothing provided by the EMPLOYER is changed in type, color or style by order of the EMPLOYER, the EMPLOYER will bear any replacement cost in excess of $65.00 per calendar year, the employee to be responsible for the first $65.00 of replacement cost.
Section 3.
Any uniform items found by supervisory inspection to be worn out or damaged shall be turned in to the EMPLOYER"

(Highlights in red provided by me for emphasis)

The first meeting of the uniform committee was today and I'm proud of the way Steward Turner represented us.