Uniform Issue follow up

After filing a complaint with the HCSO Administration regarding charging newly hired Detention Deputies for a training uniform, the Sheriff's Administration has informed our MNPEA business agent Mike Golen that they will be reimbursed the cost of the uniform.

Justice, Norwegian Style

Uniform Issue and News

On May 23rd I notified the Sheriff's Administration of a contract violation. I learned that they made the 4 new Detention Deputies purchase khaki pants and black polo shirts as a training uniform. 


This violated two sections of our contract. First Article 32 which states:




ARTICLE 32 - CLOTHING ALLOWANCE

Section 1.	Newly hired employees in the Detention Deputy class shall during the first  year of employment, be provided basic uniform clothing items of the  quantity, type and style prescribed by the EMPLOYER.

Then:


ARTICLE 2 - RECOGNITION

Section 3.

The EMPLOYER, in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 179A.06 agrees not to enter into any agreements covering terms and conditions of employment with members of the bargaining unit under jurisdiction of this AGREEMENT either individually or collectively which in any way conflict with the terms and conditions set forth in this AGREEMENT, except through the certified representative.

Our MNPEA representative was never notified of this action by the Sheriff's Office

to charge new Detention Deputies for uniform items. We have demanded they be 
reimbursed the cost.

News: The Occupy MN folks redecorated the Sheriff's Office today as part of a foreclosure protest:

History Repeats Itself

The year was 1934. Minneapolis Union activists were on strike for the right to organize and closed Union shops. They were opposed by the Citizens Alliance a group of Minneapolis businessman that opposed Unions and especially closed shops. The line they fed everyone was that individuals would do better negotiating their own wages rather then being in a Union. During this period the average American worked 10 hours a day six days a week with no benefits.

On July 20th 1934 the police, Teamsters, and Citizens Alliance supporters clashed in a Battle known as "Bloody Friday." Minneapolis police shot 67 strikers - over 40 of them in the back. Two of these men, Henry Ness and John Belor, died. It should be noted that over 100,000 people attended the funeral of Henry Ness. This strike was settled when President Roosevelt intervened and resulted in the National Labor Relations Act, the 40 hour work week and the right to organize.

The year is now 2012. "Right to Work" politicians  like Dave Thompson and Julianne Ortman regurgitate the line that there shouldn't be closed Union shops, that people would do better negotiating their own wages.Too many Americans are again working 10 to 12 hour days, six or seven days a week, with little or no benefits.  They often work either several part time jobs or one full time one, and one or more part time jobs to make ends meet.

On May 18th, 2012 Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek honored C. Arthur Lyman for Law Enforcement Week as a fallen law enforcement officer 78 years after his death. He had his name inscribed on the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. Mr. Lyman was not a policeman! He was a businessman and board member of the Citizens Alliance who was "deputized" to fight strikers. In a quote to CBS News, Sheriff Stanek said, “Our deputy gave his life while working on behalf of public safety and he deserves to be honored in Hennepin County and in our nation’s capitol.” Senator Julianne Ortman is employed by Sheriff Stanek. The anti-labor sentiment has come full circle.


This post is dedicated to the sacrifice Henry Ness and John Belor gave at the hands of the Citizens Alliance and Minneapolis police.

What to do in a Critical Incident

CALL THE MNPEA LAWYER FIRST!

651 287-8883

>Really should be first phone call
>Have your critical incident card ready & on you.
  (Number is on our bulletin board)

Firmly, but politely assert your rights.

Don't talk to "friends", partners, or fellow officers about the FACTS. But don't get isolated either.

Refuse to write "reports" until after your lawyer gets there. If problem persists, lawyer can deal with it. Don't write, sign or agree to anything.

Don't do anything without talking to your lawyer first.
> Definitely DO NOT give or make statements.

*adopted from Fowler Law and MNPEA Steward training guide

MNPEA Steward Training

MNPEA held their first Union Steward training today. I have to say it was very refreshing.

The topics were:

Role of Stewards
Weingarten, Garrity, and PO Bill of Rights
Processing Grievances Step 1 through arbitration
Criminal vs Civil Investigations
Hypothetical Case Studies and Discussion

All and all good meat and potatoes material for Union Stewards. This was conducted by our Attorney Rob Fowler.

I must add it was very refreshing to hear no politics, especially in an election year, unlike steward training from our last exclusive rep.

Death in the Jail

Unfortunately there was a death in the jail yesterday.

The Star Tribune has an article which states:

"An inmate at the Hennepin County jail died Monday after an apparent in-cell suicide attempt, authorities said.

The inmate, a 25-year-old woman, was found unresponsive in her cell at about 1 p.m., according to Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Lisa Kiava. The inmate had apparently attempted suicide, but the sheriff's office provided no further details." 


Those words can't describe the professionalism and heart demonstrated during that stressful time. I'd like to thank all of the jail staff who responded and worked so hard to trying to save the woman's life using CPR.


I'd also like to thank our MNPEA attorney Rob Fowler, who sat with our members during the Critical Incident investigation conducted by the detectives. It's a service our profession has long needed.