Today I had coffee with
Sheriff Stanek and
Chief Deputy Good. It's the first time we've sat down and talked since he took office. It was an informal meeting at Caribou Coffee that lasted about 45 minutes. The Sheriff called the meeting to get to know me and our bargaining unit. There was no agenda. We pretty much covered the gamut. I told him about the
positive aspects of working at the jail, the good staff we have and the pride we take in our job. We also discussed Teamsters structure and our current grievances. We discussed where things soured between us and the last administration and I
believe he's interested in establishing a good working relationship. I know we won't always see eye to eye, but this was a good step in opening communication.
Glad to hear he is willing to listen... Or at least that is what it looks/sounds like... TELL US MORE about this meeting! Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteIf they are serious about giving days off for language, does that mean that all inmates that use this language will go to the HOLE if we lose money for our language? Come on HCSO, lets get a little tougher on the inmates and not so much on the deputies... Our job is difficult enough the way it is!
There's a little more detail on our e-group. The link for our 320Detention e-group is in the links section of this Blog. If you are a 320 Member click on this link and join. Or email me and I'll add you, be sure to identify yourself to me in the email.
ReplyDeleteBasically we discussed grievances, the leather issue and a few more things. It was a more get to know you meeting. All in all very positive.
I should add, we also discussed Teamsters structure and contracts. How once the contract is voted on by the members it is between Teamsters Local 320 and Hennepin county. This means my job as a steward is to protect the contract and our members, 30 of us meeting over pizza and beer can't just "agree" to do things differently.
ReplyDeleteI was trying to make clear that at times his adminstration may want to do something that is different from the contract and the ensuing grievance or fight is nothing personal, but just us protecting our members rights under the certified contract.
In response to anonymous -
ReplyDeleteAs a deputy you are not an inmate. You are expected to be, and are paid well to be, a professional. Inmates can and should be cited for using profanity. It's a minor #104. If you choose to cite every inmate that uses profanity, be prepared to also come up with a plan for alternative segregation housing.
If an inmate uses profanity towards you, cite him!
-Turner
The problem deputies face these days is that they are TOO professional... Inmates don't care if you are professional... Many times you can't get them to do ANYTHING unless you raise your voice and use a little profanity... Fact of life man! It is the biggest baddest jail in the state... They don't know "please", "thank you", "be quiet", "calm down", etc... Come on! A day off for little profanity? WHAT NEXT?!
ReplyDeletePS
I think most deputies would like to cite every infraction they see/hear, however, they are so busy caring for the inmates every single need, they don't have time! Plus, we don't have any room to put them, so it is just a slap on the wrist any how... Why bother?
I really hope the new sheriff will shake things up and allow deputy staff to do their jobs without having to worry about petty things like our language. Maybe we need a lesson from another large jail, or large police department. He's from Mpls maybe he can bring over their thoughts on things.
ReplyDelete