Local 117 knows how to back Corrections Officers

SEATTLE) – Hundreds of Teamster correctional workers, their families, community allies, and other Teamster members rallied on the steps of the state Capitol in Olympia today in an effort to stop the cuts that they say are endangering the lives of prison workers and our communities. Teamsters Local 117 represents more than 6,000 correctional workers throughout the state. View photos from this event. PRESS RELEASE FROM TEAMSTERS (FULL STORY)

It's stories like this that make me proud to be a Teamster. There are several points I'd like to make.

First of all, especially if you view the photos, the amount of backing they, the Local 117 members, got from their local.

Second the sheer numbers. Hundreds protesting and 6,000 corrections members!

By comparison, Local 320 has passed up opportunities to have those kinds of numbers and clout in corrections in Minnesota. At least two years ago I spoke to Brian Aldes and Sue Mauren about organizing the state corrections officers (they asked me to be Teamsters) and was told no! That would be about 2,000 more members. Now if we then organized the Workhouse and most other counties we would have a strong position to bargain from. Why no? They have a 'no raid' policy towards AFSCME. How asinine to keep a job class fractured amongst different Unions rather then united.

I must ask, where was the 320 Executive Board when the Garrity rights of one of our stewards' (and by extension all of ours) was violated? Especially where was MNTLEL? They sat on their hands while this protection was weakened for every corrections officer and cop in the country.

Why do Minnesota Sheriff's and governments feel no fear when corrections officers are placed on shifts with no overlaps that compromise safety and security? When staffing levels are often dangerously low at certain times of the day?

Because there will never be those kinds of numbers and political clout as long as we are divided. Jimmy Hoffa senior knew this fact when he united the nations' truckers under the Master Freight Agreement rather then hundreds of fractured contracts. What was true then is true now. Strength in numbers.

We need a Master Corrections agreement in Minnesota. That's my vision.