With the advent of the 28 day schedule came another problem to solve. Primetime Vacations. Steward Westerdahl and I met with Hennepin County Labor Relations and the HCSO administration to determine what would be considered a 'work week' when putting in for Primetime Vacation.
Article 12, Sec. 4 of our Agreement says we can designate 1 to 3 consecutive 'work weeks' as Prime Time Vacation. There is no definition of 'work week' in our contract. Under the 6/3 schedule we had for 36 years a work week was 6 days. Which sandwiched in between two sets of days off gave you a 12 day vacation.
On the 28 day schedule you must put in and use vacation for every day you want off as there is no guarantee the other regular days off will be approved where you want them. If we decided a 'work week' was too short then it would have been difficult for people to get longer vacations because they will only allow 5 off for days and mids and 4 off for dog watch.
We decided on 7 days for several reasons. One it gives everyone an opportunity to get a real vacation. Two, its a division of 28 so more people have a chance of getting vacation time approved. Three, you only use 56 hours of vacation for seven days off. On the 6/3 you used 51 hours for six days off. Only a five hour difference.
Bottom line: If we didn't make a decision the employer would have made one for us.
Hopefully this works well for this year. If not we can revisit it next year.
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NEWS SITE FOR CURRENT AND RETIRED CORRECTIONS OFFICERS! This blog will keep up on current events affecting Detention Deputies and Corrections Officers. SINCE 2006!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Friday, February 05, 2010
Steward Election Results
The election results are in. Our two new stewards are:
Brian Peterson and Mike Smith
Current shop stewards are:
Wade Laszlo - Chief Steward
Jodie Hannig
Phillip Miles
Mike Nielsen
Ted Westerdahl
Brian Peterson
Mike Smith
Brian Peterson and Mike Smith
Current shop stewards are:
Wade Laszlo - Chief Steward
Jodie Hannig
Phillip Miles
Mike Nielsen
Ted Westerdahl
Brian Peterson
Mike Smith
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Arbitration
We are at an impasse with Hennepin County and have filed for arbitration.
We are certifying 3 items and the County is certifying 1 item.
Teamster items:
1. Article X sec 4. Comp time changed from Employers choice to Employees choice.
The Sheriff would not budge on the next 2 items relating to Sheriff Stanek's 28 day schedule:
2. Seniority used to bid days off.
3. If schedule is changed after posting a 1.5% premium to be paid for previously scheduled off days worked.
The next item is from Hennepin County:
4. Article 7, sec. 4. Shift bid to become annual rather then bi-annual.
We are certifying 3 items and the County is certifying 1 item.
Teamster items:
1. Article X sec 4. Comp time changed from Employers choice to Employees choice.
The Sheriff would not budge on the next 2 items relating to Sheriff Stanek's 28 day schedule:
2. Seniority used to bid days off.
3. If schedule is changed after posting a 1.5% premium to be paid for previously scheduled off days worked.
The next item is from Hennepin County:
4. Article 7, sec. 4. Shift bid to become annual rather then bi-annual.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The Latest 1/30/10
Jail Admin has put out a memo raising vacation levels to 5 off for days and mids and 4 off for dogwatch. Definitely a step in the right direction. Since the Vote of No Confidence we have seen the posted schedule remain unchanged and a marked improvement in vacation time use. Solidarity!
Many are reporting getting documented counselling sessions for Pantel Zoom Camera use when they were not the ones setting the cameras. See a steward or email me at steward320@msn.com if this applies to you.
W2's are out. I got a call last night from another steward telling me the income reported on his W2 is about $2,000 more then on his last pay stub! Check yours. APEX? Let's see them explain this 'formula.'
2/3/10 we return to the table for another round of contract mediation.
Continue to watch this blog for updates. Don't hesitate to post here, you can do so anonymously. Feel free to email me at steward320@msn.com
Many are reporting getting documented counselling sessions for Pantel Zoom Camera use when they were not the ones setting the cameras. See a steward or email me at steward320@msn.com if this applies to you.
W2's are out. I got a call last night from another steward telling me the income reported on his W2 is about $2,000 more then on his last pay stub! Check yours. APEX? Let's see them explain this 'formula.'
2/3/10 we return to the table for another round of contract mediation.
Continue to watch this blog for updates. Don't hesitate to post here, you can do so anonymously. Feel free to email me at steward320@msn.com
Friday, January 22, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Grievance filed over additional money owed detention deputies
On January 18th, 2010, I filed a class action (covering all detention deputies and techs) grievance for money due over hours worked over and above 2080 hours in 2009.
Article 3, Section 3 of our AGREEMENT reads:
Beginning January 2, 2000, employees assigned to a work schedule which requires them to work 2080 or more hours per year (e.g. 6-3 schedule with 8.5 hours of work per day) will not be required to work such makeup hours. Such employees shall be paid for 80 hours per payroll period, exclusive of overtime. Any additional amounts owed to such employees shall be paid at the end of each contract year. Employees on the 6-3 holiday schedule who are credited with working an 8.5 hour workday shall also attend 12 hours mandatory training as part of their normal schedule. In addition, all employees on this schedule shall receive holiday premium compensation for the hours actually worked on a designated holiday, as described in Article 11, Holidays. Employees working this schedule shall not be entitled to the 1.5% salary premium outlined in Article 3, Section 2 above.
By changing the schedule from 6/3 to 28/8 mid year caused most of you to work more hours while only being paid for 2080.
This is yet another "cost savings" of the 28 day schedule of which the Administration was warned. Almost every detention deputy should be owed money.
P.S. This clause is exclusive to the Detention Deputy Agreement. We put it in, in 2000 when we first got holiday pay in our first contract as Teamsters.
Article 3, Section 3 of our AGREEMENT reads:
Beginning January 2, 2000, employees assigned to a work schedule which requires them to work 2080 or more hours per year (e.g. 6-3 schedule with 8.5 hours of work per day) will not be required to work such makeup hours. Such employees shall be paid for 80 hours per payroll period, exclusive of overtime. Any additional amounts owed to such employees shall be paid at the end of each contract year. Employees on the 6-3 holiday schedule who are credited with working an 8.5 hour workday shall also attend 12 hours mandatory training as part of their normal schedule. In addition, all employees on this schedule shall receive holiday premium compensation for the hours actually worked on a designated holiday, as described in Article 11, Holidays. Employees working this schedule shall not be entitled to the 1.5% salary premium outlined in Article 3, Section 2 above.
By changing the schedule from 6/3 to 28/8 mid year caused most of you to work more hours while only being paid for 2080.
This is yet another "cost savings" of the 28 day schedule of which the Administration was warned. Almost every detention deputy should be owed money.
P.S. This clause is exclusive to the Detention Deputy Agreement. We put it in, in 2000 when we first got holiday pay in our first contract as Teamsters.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Media Bias
On December 15th 2009 a press release was issued announcing a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN SHERIFF STANEK. Among others, two of the local paper's reporters interviewed me, the Minneapolis Star Tribune and the St. Paul Pioneer Press. A total of 5 interviews between them.
Interestingly, the St. Paul Pioneer Press after much promise eventually said, "We don't cover stories on the other side of the river." The Star Tribune eventually told me, "I don't think our editor is interested in running it." OK, but wait.
One must ask why the Star Tribune has story after pro-Sheriff Stanek story, and story after negative story about Ramsey County Sheriff Fletcher "on the other side of the river." Could it be that Sheriff Stanek is a "source" of theirs? They accept story after story from him, many of which are good, but in return will not cover any negative stories about him even though he is a major politician.
No Confidence Votes are generally news. When the small police department in Oakdale voted NO CONFIDENCE in their chief the Star Tribune ran the story, Oakdale's police chief: Bully or 'by the book'?
When the Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies Association took a vote of no confidence against candidate Stanek's rival Juan Lopez, it made the news. That's right, a politically motivated vote of no confidence against a candidate made the news!
All was relatively quiet between the two, even up to the primary, where Stanek captured 43 percent of the vote to Lopez's 24 percent. But afterward, the attacks began in the form of a press release from a group called the Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies Association. The missive, which lists HCSDA president Pat Denman as a contact, notes that the association issued a "no confidence" vote in candidate Lopez. City Pages
In light of that one would think a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE by Teamsters Union members against the Sheriff of the largest County in Minnesota would be news, but alas, the media is biased. Whether it gets newspaper coverage or not doesn't change the facts of the VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN SHERIFF STANEK. It also can't stop the Internet from spreading the word in blogs and on YouTube videos.
Interestingly, the St. Paul Pioneer Press after much promise eventually said, "We don't cover stories on the other side of the river." The Star Tribune eventually told me, "I don't think our editor is interested in running it." OK, but wait.
One must ask why the Star Tribune has story after pro-Sheriff Stanek story, and story after negative story about Ramsey County Sheriff Fletcher "on the other side of the river." Could it be that Sheriff Stanek is a "source" of theirs? They accept story after story from him, many of which are good, but in return will not cover any negative stories about him even though he is a major politician.
No Confidence Votes are generally news. When the small police department in Oakdale voted NO CONFIDENCE in their chief the Star Tribune ran the story, Oakdale's police chief: Bully or 'by the book'?
When the Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies Association took a vote of no confidence against candidate Stanek's rival Juan Lopez, it made the news. That's right, a politically motivated vote of no confidence against a candidate made the news!
All was relatively quiet between the two, even up to the primary, where Stanek captured 43 percent of the vote to Lopez's 24 percent. But afterward, the attacks began in the form of a press release from a group called the Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputies Association. The missive, which lists HCSDA president Pat Denman as a contact, notes that the association issued a "no confidence" vote in candidate Lopez. City Pages
In light of that one would think a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE by Teamsters Union members against the Sheriff of the largest County in Minnesota would be news, but alas, the media is biased. Whether it gets newspaper coverage or not doesn't change the facts of the VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE IN SHERIFF STANEK. It also can't stop the Internet from spreading the word in blogs and on YouTube videos.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Press Release: No Confidence in Sheriff Stanek
PRESS RELEASE
The Teamsters Local 320 Union member Detention Deputy and Technicians employed at the Hennepin County Jail have taken a VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE against Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek and his ability to run the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Jail Division.
The text of the vote signed by the Teamsters Local 320 union members reads:
LETTER OF NO CONFIDENCE IN SHERIFF RICHARD STANEK
We the undersigned represent the majority of the Teamsters Local 320 Detention Deputies and Detention Technicians employed at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility. The administration of Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek is anti-union and anti-employee. The Sheriff’s Administration under Richard Stanek has imposed a schedule that has created hardship amongst the Union employees and has repeatedly not abided by promises made during Meet and Confer meetings with Teamsters Local 320 including not abiding by the agreement as to the number of employees allowed off for vacation time, has repeatedly changed posted schedules after employees have made plans without regard for their personal lives or those of their families and has engaged in excessive discipline of Union members. We the undersigned have NO CONFIDENCE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF RICHARD STANEK and sign of our own free will.
CONTACT: WADE LASZLO
Chief Steward Teamsters Local 320
Hennepin County Jail Bargaining Unit 763/807-6668
Email: steward320@msn.com
CONTACT: TOM PERKINS
Business Agent Teamsters Local 320
612/378-8716
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A Call To Arms
All Teamsters who can come to the assistance of our Teamster police officers in Albert Lea, Minnesota are urged to come to the rally on Monday, December 14th at 5 PM.
The City of Albert Lea is threatening to lay off Teamster police officers even after they agreed to a temporary 50% cut in benefits. Not enough for the City of Albert Lea.
Teamsters Local 320 Business agent Mike Golen said, “This is a public safety issue. The amount of police the city will have left will be below minimums to protect the city.”
Please join in solidarity with the Teamster Freeborn County deputies and correctional officers as well as the Teamsters Albert Lea police at this rally.
Meet at 5 PM at the Moose Lodge in Albert Lea. Burgers will be provided.
6:30 March on City Hall
The Moose Lodge is located at:
328 Main Ct, Albert Lea, MN 56007
For more information contact Mike Golen
612 849-4318
The City of Albert Lea is threatening to lay off Teamster police officers even after they agreed to a temporary 50% cut in benefits. Not enough for the City of Albert Lea.
Teamsters Local 320 Business agent Mike Golen said, “This is a public safety issue. The amount of police the city will have left will be below minimums to protect the city.”
Please join in solidarity with the Teamster Freeborn County deputies and correctional officers as well as the Teamsters Albert Lea police at this rally.
Meet at 5 PM at the Moose Lodge in Albert Lea. Burgers will be provided.
6:30 March on City Hall
The Moose Lodge is located at:
328 Main Ct, Albert Lea, MN 56007
For more information contact Mike Golen
612 849-4318
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Teamster Harold Yates has passed on
Retired local Teamster executive Harold Yates died Monday and will be buried Friday. He was 75.
His union career started in 1960, driving trucks for Admiral Merchant.
His first stint as a union official came in 1967, when he was elected recording secretary for Teamsters Local 120. He served as vice president before being elected president in 1972. He was re-elected several times until he retired in 1998.
He also served as a Teamsters international representative and president of Teamsters MN Joint Council 32.
Full Story
Obituary
Visitation at the WULFF WOODBURY FUNERAL HOME, 2195 Woodlane Drive on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 from 4-9 PM. Mass of Christion Burial at TRANSFIGURATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6133 15th St. N., Oakdale on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 at 10 AM. Visitation at the church one hour prior to Mass. Interment Union Cemetery, Maplewood, MN. Memorials preferred. WULFF WOODBURY 651-738-9615
His union career started in 1960, driving trucks for Admiral Merchant.
His first stint as a union official came in 1967, when he was elected recording secretary for Teamsters Local 120. He served as vice president before being elected president in 1972. He was re-elected several times until he retired in 1998.
He also served as a Teamsters international representative and president of Teamsters MN Joint Council 32.
Full Story
Obituary
Visitation at the WULFF WOODBURY FUNERAL HOME, 2195 Woodlane Drive on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009 from 4-9 PM. Mass of Christion Burial at TRANSFIGURATION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6133 15th St. N., Oakdale on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 at 10 AM. Visitation at the church one hour prior to Mass. Interment Union Cemetery, Maplewood, MN. Memorials preferred. WULFF WOODBURY 651-738-9615
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
You can bank all 11 Holidays!
A brief history of Holidays in the jail.
Prior to January 2000 all Holidays in the jail were worked, and worked at straight time! We began a push in the mid 1990’s to have parity with all other county employees and have an equivalent number of days off.
Sheriff McGowen and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office were sued. Our previous union LELS was decertified and we became Teamsters. Our first Teamsters contract secured the Holidays. This was not without a cost to us. The Sheriff’s Office was concerned about the cost of 11 additional days off (no more then every other county employee) but we gave up the 1.5% inconvenient work schedule pay in Article 3, section 3 of our Agreement to offset this perceived additional cost and get the Holiday benefit. That’s right, we took a 1.5% pay cut to have this.
The contract was very specific, employees who work a designated Holiday “should receive a deferred holiday off for each holiday .” The HCSO under Sheriff McGowan then began to pay us cash equivalent rather then letting us have a deferred holiday off.
A grievance was filed which led to the LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING in our agreement which allowed us to bank up to 24 hours of deferred holiday and the employer to cash out balances over 24 hours.
This LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING is no longer in effect. The Letter states: The parties agree to the following interpretation regarding holiday pay under Article 11 for Detention Deputies who are assigned to a 6-3 schedule of 8.5 hour days
NO 6/3, NO CAP ON DEFERRED HOLIDAYS OFF!
YOU CAN BANK ALL HOLIDAYS WORKED AS DEFERRED!
Further more they must let you take deferred holidays off within six months of earning them. They cannot cash out a deferred holiday on the books. (Article 11, sec. C)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Prior to January 2000 all Holidays in the jail were worked, and worked at straight time! We began a push in the mid 1990’s to have parity with all other county employees and have an equivalent number of days off.
Sheriff McGowen and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office were sued. Our previous union LELS was decertified and we became Teamsters. Our first Teamsters contract secured the Holidays. This was not without a cost to us. The Sheriff’s Office was concerned about the cost of 11 additional days off (no more then every other county employee) but we gave up the 1.5% inconvenient work schedule pay in Article 3, section 3 of our Agreement to offset this perceived additional cost and get the Holiday benefit. That’s right, we took a 1.5% pay cut to have this.
The contract was very specific, employees who work a designated Holiday “should receive a deferred holiday off for each holiday .” The HCSO under Sheriff McGowan then began to pay us cash equivalent rather then letting us have a deferred holiday off.
A grievance was filed which led to the LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING in our agreement which allowed us to bank up to 24 hours of deferred holiday and the employer to cash out balances over 24 hours.
This LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING is no longer in effect. The Letter states: The parties agree to the following interpretation regarding holiday pay under Article 11 for Detention Deputies who are assigned to a 6-3 schedule of 8.5 hour days
NO 6/3, NO CAP ON DEFERRED HOLIDAYS OFF!
YOU CAN BANK ALL HOLIDAYS WORKED AS DEFERRED!
Further more they must let you take deferred holidays off within six months of earning them. They cannot cash out a deferred holiday on the books. (Article 11, sec. C)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
TB in local jails
Ex-inmate's suit says jail ignored TB signs
In a federal lawsuit filed Monday, the claimant alleges that Ramsey County jail staff ignored obvious symptoms, leaving him disabled.
Full Story: Star Tribune
In a federal lawsuit filed Monday, the claimant alleges that Ramsey County jail staff ignored obvious symptoms, leaving him disabled.
Full Story: Star Tribune
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Hoffa Opposes Tax on our Healthcare
Teamsters President James Hoffa estimates that the tax would affect the health care plans of "hundreds of thousands" of his 1.4 million members.
"We oppose the excise tax because it will be passed on to our people," Hoffa told POLITICO. "We will oppose it in the Senate. We will oppose it in the House. We will oppose it in conference."
Go Hoffa!
Read more: http://www.pittsburghpost-gazette.com/pg/09280/1003592-473.stm#ixzz0WKEo5RIs
"We oppose the excise tax because it will be passed on to our people," Hoffa told POLITICO. "We will oppose it in the Senate. We will oppose it in the House. We will oppose it in conference."
Go Hoffa!
Read more: http://www.pittsburghpost-gazette.com/pg/09280/1003592-473.stm#ixzz0WKEo5RIs
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Possible Layoffs at the Workhouse!
The following was sent to me by their Chief Steward:
There has been a proposal that will be at this budget meeting to close the Work Release building at the ACF and put most of the inmates on Home Monitoring. If this occurs and it is not put back in the budget on Dec. 3 there will be lay offs of Senior Correctional Officers, Correctional Officers, Food Service Workers and Clerical staff. Please pass this on to anyone who may be able to attend.
Thanks,
Dean
They are rallying at the Government Center on Nov. 19th. I'd encourage all of you that can to assist our fellow Correctional Officers.
Here's their Flyer:
Important Public Safety
Meeting On:
Thursday November 19th -- 1 PM to 4 PM
At the Hennepin County Government Center
In the Commissioners Board Room on the 24th Floor.
Local 1719 will pay your Parking and Mileage for members to attend.
Wear Green.
Or
Wear your Uniform. YES, it is okay to wear your uniform.
Make your presence known!!!
Whether you live in Hennepin County or Not,
attend this meeting to show your loyalty to the ACF and that you care about Public Safety and the Community.
We should see Officers, Supervisors, management, Clerks, Probation Officers, civilian staff...
everyone should show up to this Public Meeting.
Notify your family, friends, and neighbors as well.
And don’t forget to call the Commissioners in the mean-time.
There has been a proposal that will be at this budget meeting to close the Work Release building at the ACF and put most of the inmates on Home Monitoring. If this occurs and it is not put back in the budget on Dec. 3 there will be lay offs of Senior Correctional Officers, Correctional Officers, Food Service Workers and Clerical staff. Please pass this on to anyone who may be able to attend.
Thanks,
Dean
They are rallying at the Government Center on Nov. 19th. I'd encourage all of you that can to assist our fellow Correctional Officers.
Here's their Flyer:
Important Public Safety
Meeting On:
Thursday November 19th -- 1 PM to 4 PM
At the Hennepin County Government Center
In the Commissioners Board Room on the 24th Floor.
Local 1719 will pay your Parking and Mileage for members to attend.
Wear Green.
Or
Wear your Uniform. YES, it is okay to wear your uniform.
Make your presence known!!!
Whether you live in Hennepin County or Not,
attend this meeting to show your loyalty to the ACF and that you care about Public Safety and the Community.
We should see Officers, Supervisors, management, Clerks, Probation Officers, civilian staff...
everyone should show up to this Public Meeting.
Notify your family, friends, and neighbors as well.
And don’t forget to call the Commissioners in the mean-time.
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