Grievance Update

Today Teamsters Business Agent Tom Perkins and myself met with Hennepin County Labor Relations and Hennepin County Sheriff's Inspector Martin to discuss three grievances.

The first was a grievance over excessive discipline for one of our members.

The second was the class action grievance over the 1.5% inconvenient work schedule pay we gave up in January 2002 for the Holiday clause now nullified by Sheriff Stanek's 28 day schedule that we are again entitled too.

They have 10 days to respond to the first two grievances with their decision.

The third grievance was the class action grievance dealing with the overtime we are due under Federal Labor Law for changing in and out of our uniforms and over unpaid overtime for late relief from duty stations since the implementation of the 28 day schedule.

The third grievance is now divided. Hennepin County Labor Relations contends that the changing in and out of uniforms is a matter for the courts as our contract does not deal with this. We will keep you posted on Teamsters action on this.

The second part over unpaid overtime for late relief from duty stations was easier. Past practice has been that we started and ended our shift in the sign in room. Labor Relations said that you should be relieved from your duty stations with enough time to return your keys by the end of your shift. They agreed that you are entitled to overtime for travel time from your duty station if relieved late or exactly at the end of your shift.

IMPORTANT: GIVE ME ALL RECORDS OF LATE RELIEF/TRAVEL OVERTIME DENIED AT THE END OF YOUR SHIFT. IF IT WAS DELETED FROM WORKFORCE YOUR WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION TO ME WILL SUFFICE SO I CAN PRESENT IT TO THE COUNTY FOR YOUR OVERTIME PAY.

PLEASE PUT ALL LATE RELIEF/TRAVEL OVERTIME IN WORKFORCE!

New Class Action Grievance

Today a class action grievance was filed by myself and our business agent to restore the 1.5% inconvenient work schedule pay we gave up in January 2002 for the Holiday clause now nullified by Sheriff Stanek's 28 day schedule. Our business agent was told by Sheriff Stanek this would be restored when the 28 day schedule took effect, it was not.

Also, the step two class action grievance over the Sheriff's Office denial of overtime has been rescheduled until next week. Not only has the administration not kept their word that we were to be in the locker room at the start of our shift and at our duty station 15 minutes later, something repeated even at our very last shift briefings, they are often not approving overtime for late relief either.

A little bitchin', four years ago the county asked us to accept two years of no cost of living raises saying it was a once in a lifetime situation. We did this. This year we are again looking at another set of zero's. Last summer all vacations and even days off were cancelled for the RNC. We didn't complain but rose to the occasion.

Now this year the Sheriff's Office switched us to the 28 day schedule effectively ruining many of our members summer. They were asked repeatedly not to go to this schedule, one not used at any other jail in the country, especially in such a bad year for contract negotiations, but they did it anyways over repeated complaints from the union.

I can only say this. This will be one hell of a contract for them to negotiate.

What A Correction Officer Should Know

What a Correction Officer Should Know

Good bye Dan Lang

The funeral for Dan Lang, former Detention Deputy (1998-2001) will be held Saturday, June 6, 2009 at St. Francis Xavier Church at 9 - 3rd Street NW, Downtown Buffalo, MN . The visitation will take place from 1100-1400 hours. The service will be from 1400-1515. Interment will follow the service at the St. Francis Cemetary.

Daniel James Lang
May 20, 1966 - Tuesday, June 2, 2009


Daniel James Lang, 43 of Buffalo, MN passed away suddenly June 2, 2009 due to a motorcycle accident.

He was born on May 20, 1966 to Violet and James Lang in Mankato, Minnesota.

Dan is survived by his loving sons: Travis and Justin and their mother Beverly Lang, brother: Mitchell Lang, mother: Violet Lang and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, James Lang.

A veteran of Wright County Sheriff’s office for over 5 years and formerly of Hennepin County Sheriff’s office, Dan was a very dedicated officer.

Dan enjoyed family vacations, watching sports – especially his two boys playing hockey, boating and most of all riding his motorcycles.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis-Xavier Catholic Church in Buffalo, Saturday June 6, 2009 starting at 11:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 PM followed by interment at St. Francis Cemetery. Luncheon following interment at the American Legion in Buffalo.

Obituary from Peterson Chapel

Class Action Grievance Filed

Class Action Step 2 Grievance Filed June 3rd, 2009

All grievances for denied and deleted overtime before and after shift have been denied at step 1.

Teamsters Local 320 has combined them into a class action grievance for all affected Detention Deputies and Detention Techs.

Steward Announcement

We have a couple of openings for Union Steward. Self nomination forms will be mailed to all full members homes in the next 2 to 3 weeks. I strongly encourage junior employees to get involved.
Techs, there will no longer be a tech only steward but you are still able to be a steward like the rest of us. Put in!

Hennepin County Taxpayer Watchdog

There's a new blog you might find interesting. The Hennepin County Taxpayer Watchdog.
http://www.taxpayerwatchdog.org/

It's run by Hennepin County Board member Jeff Johnson. He describes it as, "A blog dedicated to the taxpayers of Hennepin County."

He gives out a Golden Hydrant Awards to County tax dollar wasting programs.

Interesting!