Hennepin County Board Considering cuts to Jail!

According to this Star Tribune article the Board is considering cutting $2 million from the Sheriff's Office.

Outgoing Commissioner Peter McLaughlin initially proposed cutting 9 Detention Deputies from the jail! Apparently assaults on Corrections/Detention Deputy staff recently in the news don't matter. After all those years in Office you'd think he realized the DOC requires a staff to inmate ratio.

"Much of the overtime expenses comes from jail staffing when inmate populations run high. While the numbers have declined in recent months, the jail had record inmate levels last spring.

“The study found that the jail is now down to its functional capacity and we can keep those numbers down,” said McLaughlin. “The new budget numbers reflects that we don’t need funding for a full jail.”

The number of jail beds available daily is 755, and Stanek said the jail staffs for 680 inmates. On Monday there were 780 inmates, so he had to force deputies to work overtime “because you just can’t say the inn is closed.”  - Star Tribune

I love McLaughlin's quote that, "we can keep those numbers down...we don't need funding for a full jail." Is the Board planning on putting a cap on arrests in Hennepin County?

For years I've advocated for the Jail to be staffed 100 % by Detention Deputies. Much money could be saved by eliminating the use of higher paid Licensed Deputies and their higher rate overtime in the jail. Not to mention training and POST costs.

Incoming Sheriff Hutch wants the Board to hold off on cuts until he gets the lay of the land.

This will be an interesting fight. Both the new County Board and the Minneapolis City Council seem to be farther to the political Left. They both seem to be anti-law enforcement.

Something to watch. The Sheriff Office is a Constitutional Office which requires funding. Not like the tent city local government has no trouble throwing money at.

http://www.startribune.com/sheriff-rich-stanek-irked-lame-duck-county-commissioner-cutting-budget/501933522/

Hutch campaign manager attends MNPEA meeting

Sheriff Hutch's campaign manager attended the last MNPEA union meeting. Here is a synopsis from some members who were there.

WADE!!! In a nutshell, this is what D. B. told me. Hutch's campaign guy is Austin Sable out of Radio. According to him, Hutch wants to return to a more traditional Sheriffs Office with a predominately Civilian staff while focusing on Jail, Radio and Records/Courts. Stanek over-extended Radio's service perimeter while not providing the staff and resources needed to handle it. There are 15 stations manned while a 16TH goes unmanned. Although Waterways is still a mandate, he sees no real issues there. and I would agree. Seems that most, if not everybody out there is content. He wants to see that budgeted moneys go to where they are appropriated to go. The last two idiots were notorious at asking for money to fund 'this' and end up spending it to fund 'that.' We both have seen plenty of BS. He also wants to address both retention and incentives for both new hires and existing staff. I am hoping he takes a more reasonable and sensible approach to hiring. This 'mass hiring' approach that Stanek had a love affair with is neither practical or economically sound. There is a balance between paying your existing staff OT (far cheaper) and hiring new staff (more costly). A approach that would benefit everybody. Finally, he is open to Labor Groups. He both appreciates and recognizes Labor Groups. I realize this is all lip service so far, but it sounds promising. If I were speaking directly to him, I would put it this way.."Dude, you are in a very good position. Stanek had taken just about everything away from us. If you could restore even some of it, you could be viewed very favorably. Do you want a good movie or a bad movie??? It is totally up to you!" 

I forget to mention, he is all about Mental Health and not servicing ICE. I am not sure what he is after with the Mental Health thing. I do hope we don't continue to warehouse inmates for these M/H institutions. Once committed, send them!!! We should not be sitting on them. As far as ICE is concerned, not sure what he means by that either. He could mean we are not going to warehouse inmates for ICE while they drag their feet on what they are going to do. I would agree with that. 

I REACHED OUT TO SHERIFF HUTCH TO WRITE AN UNEDITED MESSAGE IN THIS BLOG TO DETENTION DEPUTIES.

Arbitrator rules against Sheriff Stanek on tattoos

The ridiculous fight over Hennepin County Sheriff Office (HCSO) employees with tattoos goes back to 2013.

I wrote about it in a post on this blog called, Semper Fi? Don't Apply!

Long story short, there was a Detention Deputy walked out because 4 months into her employment after they noticed a small tattoo on her forearm. She had the choice of either removing it or being terminated. The HCSO stood on a District Court ruling from 1985 saying they had the right to make grooming policy. That fight was over mustaches on men and fingernails on women.

It's nice to see an Arbitrator nudge the HCSO into the 21st century!

Click below for full story:

Hennepin County deputies win round in fight over tattoos

Hennepin County Facts for Contract Negotiations

This post is derived from a comment I posted on Richard Deal's previous post about 12 hour days. Certain people are commenting anonymously and I'm entertained...anyways that led to this:

We are the largest jail in the State. The most dangerous jail in the State.

We are the lowest paid in the metro area, yet we have the highest paid Sheriff in the State and the highest paid County Commissioners in the State.

The Sheriff could give all of us more money by law and the County Board would have to pay it. Sheriff McGowan once gave an extra one percent to the licensed deputies over and above what detention and AFSCME got. Sheriff Stanek doesn't roll that way.

They have turned the HCSO into a farm league for the other local law enforcement agencies. Today I looked at our seniority list for Detention Deputies. Out of 182 Detention Deputies, 70 are under 2 years experience! That's almost half of our staff with under 2 years experience.*

That number speaks for itself. I conclude this is either by design or poor management, or a combination of both. 

They obviously want it this way. After all, the highest paid must be the best and the brightest.

$158,905 a year salary

So what is Sheriff Stanek's salary? In 2014 it was $158,905 a year! 

By contrast Governor Dayton's 2014 salary was $119,850!  

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek makes $39,055 more than the Governor!

The Hennepin County Commissioners make $104,703. Also the highest paid in the State.

Now, one could argue that Hennepin County is, next to the State of Minnesota, the largest Government in the State, with the largest population and largest tax base. Such a large entity requires large salaries to attract and retain the best and brightest. 

Hennepin County Board salary
$104,000 a year

So why did they allow the Detention Deputies and Workhouse Corrections Officers to drop to the lowest paid in the seven county metro area? 

We run the largest jail with 839 beds and about 44,000 bookings a year and are the lowest paid. The highest paid, Ramsey County only houses 500 inmates.

Hell even the little Brooklyn Park Police lock-up pays more than Hennepin County does. They start at $23.10 an hour and top out at $30.10. That's starting pay $5 an hour higher then Hennepin, and a higher top pay. Oh, and they get there in 3 years, Hennepin County gets to their lower top pay in 8 years...unless there's wage freezes of course.

So Hennepin County and Sheriff Stanek, we do lead in one thing. The race to the lowest paid in our profession, led by the highest paid. 

Let's keep up the good work and do it again this time! Woo hoo!

*Seniority numbers edited 10/16/15

The Annual Star Tribune Overtime Article

Ah yes, time for the annual Star Tribune overtime article where us public employees earnings are aired for all to see.

There are two parts to this expose. If you click on:

Explore overtime pay for metro area public employees

You can type in the name of yourself, or your favorite Sheriff's Office employee and get a 5 year total of their overtime income and what percentage of their total income the overtime amounted to, as well as their gross wages for 5 years.. For instance I made $57,000 in overtime over the last 5 years which amounted to about 15.4% of my income according to the Star Tribune. 

The comments in this section are priceless:

Supervon2 says, This is structured by the Unions so their top brass gets the most out of the deal. The Star should show who the highest earners and surprise! They will turn out to be the Union power brokers.

Ah yes, those infamous Union power brokers! Hey dipshit, I mean Supervon2, the overtime is the result of Department of Corrections minimum staffing levels. The more inmates in custody, the more staff MUST by law, be there to deal with them. This isn't Belarus! If there are duty stations that must be filled, they are filled with overtime. If someone doesn't volunteer, someone is FORCED to fill it. Therefore ALL overtime is MANDATORY.  If employee A doesn't sign up for it, they or employee B will be forced. At the end of the year no matter how much or how little overtime was worked by one person, the taxpayer will have covered the same amount of hours that year. Quit making employees who volunteer to work longer hours at a dangerous job look like thieves. By the way, it is common to be forced to stay several times a week. Thought you were going to your kid's game or going to that movie? Think again. Your 8 hour shift just became a 12, and you can't leave until you are relieved, so it might get even longer.

jbpaper says, The Strib should do a story on how the overtime effects their pensions and what that will cost the taxpayers in the long run. 

I can answer that. It's like most things in life. The more we earn the more we PAY IN! Like Social Security or a 401K, therefore the more we get out. You wouldn't suggest the State take the extra money we pay into our pension would you? Would you? 

The other article you can click on is:

Overtime costs soaring at Twin Cities agencies as they struggle toward full employment

This article is an overview of the metro Sheriff's Offices and their various amounts of overtime. Some excerpts of interest are:

Excluding undercover officers, the Star Tribune found that overtime payments in Hennepin County nearly doubled from $2.3 million in 2010, when it accounted for 5 percent of the payroll, to more than $4.5 million in 2014, when it accounted for 9 percent.

The Hennepin County Board has criticized Stanek for his rising overtime bills and hired a consultant from California for $100,000 to analyze personnel spending, which accounts for about 80 percent of the sheriff’s budget. The analyst’s report is due in September.

Let me make a couple of observations. We endured 5 years of wage freezes during the great recession. The cost of living went up, wages did not. How does a wage earner support their family? The American way, we work more hours. 

During that time Hennepin County Detention Deputies fell to the lowest wages in our job class in the seven county metro area. When the job market opened up, people left for better paying jobs. As people left, shortages occurred which had to be filled with overtime! That is not rocket science.

What's really fun is to go to Data Mine and type in the name of your favorite high up elected official and see how their salaries went up. For Instance Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek's salary over the same 5 year period covered by the Star Tribune (2010-2014), went from $149,483 to $158,905. That's salary, not wages and overtime.  

The County Commissioners had more modest raises over that period. Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat went from $97.194 to $104, 703.

The biggest winners by far were the  Minnesota State Commissioners. They got between 20 and 30%  raises this year! 

Unlike us jailers who earn higher wages with grueling 12 hour shifts, the politicians and their cohorts got big raises for putting in the exact amount of time they always have. 

So Supervon2, you just keep looking for the evil Union power brokers and at the men and women putting in long hours, while the people you elect, and the people they appoint, laugh all the way to the bank.

MN Progressive Project puts Stanek spending in perspective

A brief look at the list of travel charges leads one to start asking questions:
 
1) On 01/23/2012, $2,244.20 was spent at “MARRIOTT 33769″ in Washington DC, for the purpose of “JW DC NSA Conf Hotel – Stanek.” A online website lookup of this hotel says that the daily room changes range from $229 to $429. So it appears that Stanek took the most expensive room for 5 days. Is it the policy to take the most expensive room?
 

2) The number of Sheriff conferences seems high. Why did Stanek go to the WESTERN sheriffs conference?
 
3) On 03/22/2012, $1,327.20 was spent at Delta Air on a flight for and “Flight to DC and PHX”. Aren’t DC and Phoenix in the opposite directions from Minneapolis? Currently Delta Air round trips delta flights from Minneapolis to Washington are $559 first class. So was this charge for two round trip first class tickets?

 
4) On 08/14/2012, $183.98 was spent on a “Dinner with Fed Partners” at Sunsets Wayzata. An expensive meal at Wayzata’s Sunset restaurant would be $30. So did Staneck buy meals for 6 “Fed Partners”? Why didn’t “Fed Partners” use their own expense account?
 
And those questions are only from the first half page, the list goes on.
 
Stanek is Republican, so we shouldn’t be surprised that he spends other people’s money lavishly.

FULL STORY MN PROGRESSIVE PROJECT

Payroll Woes

As you all know when the contract was settled we were to receive all back pay on the October 10th check.

For most it didn't exactly happen that way. Some were paid their cost of living adjustment(COLA), but it appeared not all back pay was included. Some received their COLA, but not the Step increase due them. Several people said they didn't get the $350 lump sum due to people making less than $18 an hour.

On October 21, 2014, our MNPEA BA and three stewards met with Hennepin County Labor Relations to discuss this and some of our other grievances we've had with HCSO payroll.

The County admitted many did not get their Step increase on this check, and doesn't know why HCSO payroll sat on the ones who had their reviews done. Some of those missing their Step will get it on this check, but not all. Some will get it on the following check. One of our concerns was that the COLA was paid on the lower rate before the Step was included. They assured us the back pay Step will include the COLA adjustment on the higher amount when paid.

Steward Phil M stated that we can't read our paychecks as printed and we didn't trust them. He asked if those who believed their checks were wrong could get a line by line print out of how the amount was arrived at. The County said that would be too time consuming as each of our 205 members would have to have it done manually by payroll. The county said they would audit 5 members of our choosing, and if they found the back pay wasn't correct they would audit everyone and make it right.

As to the $350 members making less then $18.00 an hour were to receive, the offer was only to those making that amount before Jan 1st. Our union is fighting that.

Payroll has been a major issue, especially the Sheriff's Office payroll. There are months of unpaid weekend and night shift differentials. When contacted Sheriff's payroll either says it will be on the next check or flat out says you don't get it. Further emails bounce back. Grievances have reached the county level and I won't be surprised if they reach arbitration.

One has to wonder why the Sheriff's Office uses Workforce rather then APEX like the rest of the county and why no one can read their checks.

I think a State audit is overdue.

Candidate Websites for Hennepin Co. Sheriff

These are the official websites for both candidates running for Hennepin County Sheriff. Both candidates will be at the Meet and Greet on the 29th. Come, listen, ask questions.

EDDIE FRIZELL

http://www.frizellforsheriff.com/





RICHARD STANEK

http://sheriffstanek.com/

Hennepin County Sheriff Race Headlines

Hennepin deputies endorse Sheriff Stanek's opponent, MPD's Frizell Fox 9

Mpls. deputy chief of police to run for Hennepin County sheriff Star Tribune

Frizell Beats Stanek In Henn. Co. Sheriff’s Deputies Assoc. Vote  CBS

Meet and Greet Union Mtg with Sheriff's Candidates

Shared by Carol Orcutt

Meet and Greet Union Mtg with Sheriff's Candidates

Attention all barganing units under the Sheriff's Office with MNPEA

Come and join us for a “Meet and Greet” party with your fellow union members and co-workers. Share some thoughts with our MNPEA Business Agent Michael Golen. He’ll be available to answer any questions about our union.

Also Sheriff Richard Stanek and Sheriff Candidate Eddie Firzell will be there to speak to us and answer questions from: 4 PM to 5 PM

Stop over even if you don't’ want to discuss union things and just hang out. If nothing else you’ll be better informed on what is happening with our union.

Where: Di Noko’s Pizza Next to Goldberg Bail Bonds 

When: July 29th (Tuesday) from 3PM till when ever…

There will be a 25% discount on all food with work ID and happy hour is between 3-7PM.

Let’s make it a fun informational gathering.

Eddie Frizell

Rich Stanek

Why Correctional Turnover is so High

This is from CorrectionsOne:

I wish the Sheriff and every County Board member would read this:

...The public is aware of the fact that criminals are incarcerated after conviction and are also aware of the fact that correctional institutions require funding, often having a detrimental impact on taxes. The public seems to realize that corrections is necessary, but the persona of corrections in the public atmosphere is one of loathing.

Corrections is not viewed in a positive light, nor do taxpayers seem to appreciate the corrections facet of the criminal justice system. Generally speaking, no matter what level of government corrections may fall under, it will undoubtedly be the first to have hiring freezes, budget cuts, and underfunding. Corrections is known, but the ideals behind corrections and all of the funding that is required to successfully operate safe and stable facilities are unknown...

The starting salary for corrections professionals is typically lower than their patrol counterparts, the training received by corrections professionals is collectively less than other agencies receive, and the work corrections professionals do tends to be overlooked by society. All avenues lead to the conclusion that corrections is simply not as good as patrol. ..

Corrections requires adequate funding and training in order to combat the high influx of offenders, the complexity of gangs, and the revolutionary ways that offenders have learned to “beat the system.” Staff allegiance, retention, and respect would most likely be the result of corrections being recognized as an equal to that of the patrol counterparts. As a collective system, patrol and corrections need to be equal so that law and order can prevail and offenders can be more tactfully monitored, disciplined, and rehabilitated.

FULL STORY

Kitten for Sheriff's Response to the Hennepin County Sheriff Challange

As promised the candidates responses will be added un-edited. Thank you Kitten for Sheriff. I await the reply from the other candidates.

I sat Kitten down and got some answers for your detention blog:

---

1. Why do you want to be Hennepin County Sheriff?

Humans have ruled over Hennepin County for far too long. It’s time to let the kittens take over and make this county the best place to live, work and play in. Kitten is tired of seeing the criminals in power get away with massive crimes against people and the planet. Kitten will start arresting the real criminals such as war criminals, bailout criminals, CEOs, politicians, and others who continue to cause harm without any consequences.

2. What are your qualifications?

This is Kitten’s second attempt to run for Sheriff of Hennepin County. In 2010, Kitten was the only candidate who ran against the current incumbent as a write-in and had supporters from all walks of life. Kitten is sometimes called the “cutest candidate ever”. Along with Kitten’s youthful appearance, Kitten is full of fresh ideas such as Operation Litter Sweep – where Kitten asked those in power to turn themselves in.  

As with all licensed felines in the City of Minneapolis, Kitten has received all the necessary shots. In fact, Kitten is the only candidate for this office who will tell you upfront that they got the rabies shots!  Wouldn’t you prefer having a Sheriff who you can trust not to suddenly turn rabid?

3. Jail staffing currently has decreased professional Detention Officer ranks and greatly increased more expensive Licensed Deputy staff in the jail, one thousand dollars a month more per Licensed Deputy. Would you continue that trend?

Kitten doesn’t like wasted taxpayer money – or spilled milk!   If Kitten is elected, licensed deputies will be placed back into the streets to chase away DHS drones as DC may be a bit mad at us when we arrest a good chuck of their leaders. 

Thus, Kitten will make sure staffing at jails should be limited to those who are trained to do that job in a cost-effective manner.  If more support is required, a new crew of feline deputies may be trained and added to patrol and keep levels of vermin down.

4. The jail schedule was changed from a 6/3 schedule in 2009 (after 32 years), to a 28/8 schedule which has led to low morale. It can take up to 5 years to get a weekend off. If elected are you open to a different schedule? A return to 6/3?

Yes, Kitten will create a brand new schedule. Why are jails open on the weekends in the first place? Kitten will give everyone the weekend off and close the jails. We’ll just leave some self-serving kibble and water dishes for any war criminals who continued to misbehave and don’t earn their weekend pass.

5. The Hennepin County Jail is the largest jail in Minnesota and the only ACA accredited jail in Minnesota, yet the Detention Deputies are the lowest paid in the seven county metro area. What would you do to correct that?

This situation will need to change immediately if Kitten is elected and the jails are filled with actual criminals.  Unfortunately, criminals in power are notorious for bribes and may try to bribe deputies for favors. Thus, we’ll have to make sure that the benefits and pay are the best in the country for anyone who has to watch over criminals in power.  

6. The Hennepin County Dispatchers are understaffed and underpaid. The result is massive turnover at time when the new $33 million Dispatch Center is set to open. What will you do to turn that around?

That’s easy. Buy up nearby farming land and self-fund the Dispatch Center with the sale of “catnip”. People will want to move here and work in our county then.

7. Would your administration continue gathering of citizens’ cell phone metadata using the Kingfish tracker without warrants?

No, way!!! Kitten has been on the record since 2010 as being against these creepy Kingfish surveillance devices. Cats are natural enemies of Kingfishs.  If elected, Kitten will round up all the kingfishs (and stringrays!) and hold a massive “fish fry” party!  All residents of Hennepin County will be invited to watch the devices “fry” while enjoying a selection of hot foods and cool beverages.

8. The current Sheriff spends considerable time in Washington D.C. away from Hennepin County, 4 to 6 times a month. Would your administration continue that practice?

If elected as your new sheriff, Kitten will only need to visit D.C. twice during the whole term.  The first visit will be to serve warrants to all the criminals in power and the second time to arrest any politicians who don’t turn themselves in.  Kitten may need to visit a few other locations across the country if criminals or politicians are hiding there such as Wall Street but out-of-state visits will be limited to official duties only.

9. What is your position on conceal and carry?

Oh humans, why did you lose in the game of evolution?  Kittens already have their own “carry and conceal” claws and are a bit confused by human weaponry. Regardless, humans can come into the Sheriff’s office and ask for a permit if they wish.  Kitten will need to limit the permits for drone hunting to 2 drones per person per year!

Contract Negotiation update

Today we met again with Hennepin County for "negotiations."
The Sheriff's Office sent no one.
We explained to the County why their offer was voted down.
They left the room.
The mediator tried to nail down the main dispute. We replied money and the parameters for the 28 day schedule not being in writing.

The County pulled their offer and we began trying to nail down items for arbitration.

The mediator was still wanting to work out a settlement if possible.

We gave it one last shot (or so I thought). We told the mediator that if they offered the market adjustment (1% in 2014 and 1% in 2015) across the steps for all job classes in addition to the 2.5% Cost of Living the members would probably vote it in.

The county rejected the offer. They do not want to give a market adjustment to those of you not at top pay, unless you are a dispatcher.

Much discussion took place among the stewards. The majority of stewards felt the members didn't understand the "risk" of going to arbitration and felt the County's last  offer should be re-voted.

I was among those who thought that we should  just go to arbitration, as the membership already voted the offer down and get it done, but democracy prevails.

You will again receive a ballot for the last offer that you voted down.

My opinion has not changed since February.

No sense retyping identical words. Read my post from last time, my position is the same:

Mediation "Employers Best and Final Proposal"

And I will add the disclaimer this is not an official MNPEA blog or representative of the other stewards. It is just my opinion and clearly a minority one, at least among the stewards.

May 6th Picket, Hennepin County Board and Sheriff''s Office

T

Thanks to all who showed up, Detention Deputies, Dispatchers, Techs and Clerks.

We will be back at the Hennepin County Board meeting on May 13th to address the Board.

Please come out in force.

Picket Hennepin County, May 6th

Wisconsin questions high warden pay compared to low CO pay...hmmm

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker said Thursday he is reviewing a decision by his administration to sharply raise the salaries of a group of prison wardens last month to $100,000 a year without clear documentation of the reasons.

...Michael Meisner, who became warden at Redgranite Correctional Institution after leaving the same post at Columbia Correctional, and Marc Clements, who became the head of Dodge Correctional after leaving the top post at Fox Lake Correctional, both saw their pay rise to $100,000 a year from $90,420, an increase of $9,580, or 10.6%. The salary increases for those two wardens come on top of those given to six others as part of the series of transfers that the Journal Sentinel reported last week.

The salary increases came at a time when rank-and-file corrections officers received 1% pay raises and are still adjusting to a 2011 law that cut their overall compensation and greatly reduced the power of unions representing them.

Full Story: Corrections One

Closer to home, Sheriff Rich Stanek's salary went from $145,000 a year in 2007 to $157,000 a year in 2013. The Hennepin County board makes $99,000 a year and are the only county board in Minnesota to get take home cars. 

At a time that the employees of the largest jail in Minnesota have the lowest pay in the metro area after years of wage freezes.

And they will be wondering why we are picketing very soon. 

Sex offender visits Sheriff's Home

Ok, so a convicted sex offender shows up at the Sheriff's house..his wife answers the door...scary shit. No one in public safety wants a convicted sex offender at the door..it cuts right to the primal core of protecting our families....the man was eventually arrested and charged with terroristic threats.

Yet when the same thing happened to the Hennepin County Detention Deputies and 911 Dispatchers just a few months ago...Hennepin County did nothing! The County even supplied our names to AFSCME organizer Ryan Hanson who then went to our homes with convicted sex offender Dale Blom. An Internal Affairs investigation was launched that went nowhere. No charges, no nothing.

It's the same old same old. It only matters if someone important is affected. Then it's front page news.


KMSP-TV

Sick Time Arbitration

Arbitrator Crump has found in favor of the employer for our sick time arbitration.

His decision in BMS case 12-PA-0846 is:

            After study of the testimony and other evidence produced at the hearing, on the arguments of the parties (in post-hearing written briefs) on that evidence in support of their respective positions, and on the basis of the above discussion, summary of the testimony, analysis and conclusions, I make the following award:

1.            The Employer established a reasonable attendance policy;

2.            The Counseling the Grievant was within the bounds of the CBA and the Law; and

3.            The Union Grievances is DENIED in full as set forth herein.

The Union's main position was that the new Lexipol Policy on Sick Leave violated the Contract by suddenly making use of 96 hours of sick time in a rolling 12 month period "abuse" of sick time, even if such use was for purposes allowed in the contract, or even pre-approved. The Union's position was that if the Employer wanted a change to the Sick Time language in the contract it should be negotiated, not just issued as policy and then applied RETROACTIVELY one year.

The Employer's position was:

Mathisen testified that what lead to enactment the 2011-Sick Leave and Attendance Policy were two-fold: first, sick leave usage was very high, especially in the jail, and with that goes a premium  over-time costs being paid for sick leave usage, and secondly, moral among some employees who were continually being drafted to cover a shift in the jail at a cost of one-and-a half time the salary.

...The main purpose of the Policy states that attendance is an essential function of every job in the Sheriff's Offices, absenteeism reduces the efficiency of office's operations, costs the County and it's taxpayers money, and requires co-workers to do the work of absent colleagues.

The Employer called William P. Peters (Peters), Director of Labor Relations. Peters testified that he has worked 34 years for Hennepin County and 13 years in the current position as Director of Labor  Relations.

Peters testified further on the subjects regarding Employer Authority,11 Article 6, and Complete Agreement and waiver of Bargaining, Article 24, in the current Contract. He pointed out that the relevance of those two Articles is axiomatic in Labor Relations to understand that Management has nearly unlimited rights to establish the terms and conditions of employment unless those terms and conditions are specifically modified or abridged by the Labor Contract. 

While I am disappointed in the Arbitrator's award I am again dumbstruck by the employers constant negative attitude towards its' employees.

To make a policy and enforce it retroactively leaves me dumbstruck. Then to further dig in their heels to the point of arbitration rather than to negotiate.

I find it even more amazing that the reason the employer cites for this retroactive sick leave policy was a concern over, " premium  over-time costs being paid for sick leave usage, and secondly, moral among some employees who were continually being drafted to cover a shift in the jail at a cost of one-and-a half time the salary."

Yet even though we are the largest jail in the State of Minnesota, we are the lowest paid Detention Deputies in the metro area. Even their low ball contract proposal we are currently voting on will keep us there. The low pay has led to staff shortages, overtime and drafts, and is only getting worse. As far a "moral among some employees," the low pay, wage freezes and 28 day schedule eliminated that years ago.

I believe the citizens of Hennepin County are in for a public safety crisis this summer when the scores of Hennepin County Detention Deputies and 911 Dispatchers, who are currently being back-grounded, move on to other better paying jobs.

Then let's revisit overtime costs and moral among employees.

Facts about Correctional Officers

The following are all quotes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics  regarding our profession:

What Correctional Officers Do

Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in a jail or prison.

Work Environment

Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers and jailers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses, often resulting from confrontations with inmates. Because jail and prison security must be provided 24 hours a day, officers work all hours of the day and night, weekends, and holidays.

Job Outlook

Employment of correctional officers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. Although budget constraints and a falling crime rate will require fewer workers, job openings will continue to become available  because the dangers associated with the job cause many to leave the occupation each year.

Injuries and Illnesses

Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Every year, correctional officers are injured in confrontations with inmates, and some are exposed to contagious diseases. As a result, correctional officers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. 

The job demands that officers be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift. As a result, some officers experience anxiety.

One more fact: The Detention Deputies working in the Hennepin County jail, the largest jail in Minnesota, are the lowest paid in the Twin Cities metro area.

Hennepin County Dispatch-State of the Union

Ground Breaking for new $30 Million Dispatch Center

This is a post from one of our Hennepin County Dispatchers who is also a MNPEA Union steward. As most know Hennepin County is building a brand new $30 million dispatch center. Unfortunately the dedicated people who are to staff it seem to have been left out of the budget. This is his post:

Morale at Hennepin Co Sheriff's Radio is at an all-time low.   Retention of current staff is the main challenge.  Maintaining staffing minimums has resulted and dispatchers getting forced overtime sometimes 3 of their 4 days of a rotation.  Same goes with getting forced to come in on your days off.  Time off is taken for granted.  For those that would like to take time off, the rule is only one dispatcher , no matter what shift, will be granted time off for vacation per day unless it's during prime time vacation (Memorial Day-Labor Day and The Holidays).  Hard to take vacation days that we earn.  Dispatchers at their contractual vacation cap balance of 280 hours cannot take a day off they prefer but one that works out best for management.  Staffing shortage burdens are solely on the current dispatch staff and not management.  Management could help the situation some but refuse to.  We have first line supervisors that are able to be call-takers but downtown won't let them be a part of the minimum staffing equation.  Even when doubled up, they can't help.  We even have first line supervisors that cannot ' do the dispatch job' but get paid considerably more than others.  

Years ago, during hiring times, there used to be a long list of applicants especially those with years of 911 dispatch experience.  Now, we hardly get anyone thats been a public safety dispatcher before.  Raw recruits that have a 50% chance of making it through  the coaching program. 

We are the hardest working group in the Sheriff's office and have been for quite a few years living without any wage adjustment or cost of living raise.  We are doing more with less.  We have become specialized and not compensated for the important skills acquired (CJIS, Fire Dispatch Core, training) .  We've acquired the city of Brooklyn Center that has dramatically increased our workload with no help from downtown.  

We are building a new 911 communications center in Plymouth due to open later this year.  Along with that,  we will begin dispatching for Golden Valley.  More work ahead facing the same staff shortages and still our 2014/2015 union contract has yet to be settled.

Morale is so bad, new hires come and overhear or see some of the issues we face and leave before they complete training.  There have been quite a few dispatchers that have left for other agencies that pay their dispatchers better.  Some  have left for North Memorial Ambulance, HCMC EMS, Metro Transit or other 911 centers in the metro.  Hennepin County used to be in the top 3 for pay in the metro area.  We have now fallen behind that we are the lowest, if not the lowest paid dispatchers in the 11 county metro area while being the busiest per dispatcher metro-wide.  Chances for promotion are limited.  You can only be promoted to Telecommunicator Sergeant and nothing further.  Other Comm Centers let their civilian staff be able to rise to levels not heard of in Hennepin County.    Dispatchers do not get any formal breaks and if you listen to a police radio or call 911 during normal meal times, you'll probably hear a dispatcher talking with food in their mouth because we have to eat at our workstations and work at the same time.

HCSO has made great strides department wide the last few years except in their 911 call center.  Overworked, cramped, and not appreciated dispatchers is one last area of improvement needed to make HCSO a good well rounded agency.  Training is virtually non existent.  There never is any worthy money set aside in the radio budget for training.  Resources have been taken away from dispatch staff also.   

We do a darn good job but we could be so much better had we had better working conditions.  An agency similar to ours was recently featured on a local news story about 911 call response.  It was learned that in that particular agency, 911 calls have routinely been missed or have had callers have to endure long waits for someone to answer emergency requests.  At Hennepin County Dispatch, a call for service , no matter if it's a 911 or non-emergency, is never, ever missed.  Hennepin Dispachers as well as our union brothers and sisters at the Hennepin Co Jail are the HARDEST workers in the sheriffs office.

Aaron Coates

Serving since 1990.

911 Dispatcher and Union Steward