Final Corrections News and Views

Hey all, thanks for your friendship all these years. Thanks for allowing me to represent you as a steward all those years. I've released the final Corrections News and Views. I will be keeping the detentionhome blog up, and may post to it from time to time.You guys are still welcome to post there.

I am now a licensed Realtor with theMLSonline.com. Call me, 763 807-6668 if you or anyone you know needs a house or wants to sell one. Or email me at wlaszlo@themlsonline.com 

Special thanks to MNPEA, especialy Tom Perkins, Mike Golen, Dave Deal and the Fowler Law Firm (Rob Fowler and Joe Ditsch).

Here's the last Corrections News and Views:

SEND 'EM

Retirement

Thanks everyone who showed up for the retirement cake and coffee today. I was moved to see so many co-workers and former co-workers from every level of jail staff. Thanks for coming, it's been a privilege to work with all of you and to represent you over the years. 

Thanks to Capt. Zimmer for presiding over the party and presenting me with my plaque. 

Two people I would like to single out. First of all Tom Perkins, MNPEA Vice President, who made the 55 correctional pension a reality. Second, Greg Failor, formerly  Labor Relations for Hennepin County. He was always honest, hard working, straight forward, and one of the few human beings I could trust enough to seal a deal with a handshake.

So True

Retiring from the County

My last working day is March 18, 2016. The HCSO coffee is March 11th, see the flier below. 

Mediation thoughts

On January 6, 2016,  MNPEA will again sit down at Mediation with Hennepin County.

I have sat in that chair many times over the years. It is a tough one. I want to thank the Stewards for their hard work. I know there are differences, as there should be, but the goal is the same to get the best contract for our members. 

I want to thank our attorney Joe Ditsch. I have sat with him at grievance hearings and in I.A. (Listen to the song). He is a good, knowledgeable guy and a man I would always want in my corner. He has a much less confrontational demeanor than yours truly! So he can be very persuasive with the jail Major and Labor Relations.

I want to thank our B.A. Dave Deal. He is a good honest man, and has a tough job dealing with our boss and county. Not to mention us cantankerous members!

The toughest part about contract negotiations with Hennepin County is that they settle with AFSCME first. In Minnesota we have, "patterned" bargaining. If the largest group, AFSCME, settles first, most arbitrators will uphold the pattern. I don't care what Union you are in, that is the reality.

It is frustrating as hell to seemingly bang your head into a wall trying to get something more or different from the county than what AFSCME got. I think Joe is the right attorney for that job.

About six years ago we left Teamsters for the MNPEA. I think it was a smart move. While, like the Teamsters, we still are stuck with the AFSCME pattern, MNPEA actually has our back.

Our attorneys, unlike any other Union are accessible to all members. No other Union gives you on and OFF duty coverage!

Yes, I've had a few disagreements over the years with the Union. It's the nature of the beast. But what I want to say is thanks to all of you for doing the hard, thankless work.

Hopefully we will have a contract to vote on after Mediation. I know how much work goes into it.