County Budget and Raises

Yesterday, Sheriff Stanek made a presentation to the County Board. There's an article in today's Star Tribune that covers that.

I'll lift a couple of paragraphs and comment:

Opat noted that county employees didn’t have a complete pay freeze over the last few years because many received lump-sum bonuses and increases at higher pay scales. The pay-scale step system also provided some annual bumps, he said.

You are right commissioner Opat, while other county's gave their employees raises, Hennepin gave out couple hundred dollar lump sums. Hardly a help with monthly bills.

Freeman, who asked for a 2.5 percent increase, said his office has the lowest starting salary for a first-year assistant county attorney out of the seven metro-area counties. That salary is $52,000, compared to $71,000 for a first-year assistant city attorney in Minneapolis, he said. Anoka and Ramsey counties pay first-year attorneys $52,000 and $58,436 respectively.

A Detention Deputy in Dakota County starts at $19 an hour, in Ramsey County $22 an hour. Hennepin County starting Detention Deputy pay is $17 an hour. The five years of pay freezes Hennpin County inflicted on their employees has caused the pay for the largest, busiest jail in the State to be dead last in pay for the seven county metro-area. Hardly the job of first choice. Ramsey Conty Detention Deputy pay is $31 at five years. Hennepin tops out at $27 in eight years, IF there are no freezes. Currently we have Detention Deputies making $22 an hour after seven years. They could start at Ramsey at that salary.

County Sheriff Richard Stanek echoed Freeman’s issues, saying a large percentage of the more than three dozen dispatchers, deputies and jail clerks who left his office did so because of low wages. He hoped to receive the board’s approval to use an unexpected $500,000 windfall on applications for permits to carry guns to put toward compensation.

My understanding from the Detention Deputy steward who was at the board meeting is that there was no mention of the 18 Detention Deputies who left in 2012-13 for better paying jobs. The number for our Dispatchers who left is 10. Dispatch is running with 37 dispatchers when there are supposed to be 52. 

Opat countered that deputy jobs at the sheriff’s office are often entry-level and become a steppingstone for positions at other law enforcement agencies.

Mr. Opat, Detention Deputies sign on to work in the jail. Corrections is not the same thing as police work. Yes, a certain percentage use that job as a stepping stone, but for many of us it is our job. 

The current practice of staffing the jail with more Licensed Deputies is a boondoggle. First off it costs the County taxpayer $1,000 a month more to have a Licensed Deputy do a Detention Deputy's job. 

Second the over staffing of the jail with Licensed staff has factored into the turnover rate. In 2006 there were 181 Detention Deputies in the jail and 39 Licensed Deputies.. Now there are 142 Detention Deputies and 93 Licensed, remember at $1,000 a month more! 

Detention Deputies want to work in the jail. Most of the Licensed staff want out. When there were 39 Licensed Deputies assigned to the jail they could transfer out in 1 to 2 years. Now, with the over staffing it takes 5 to 6 years for them to leave a job they don't want. So many of the Licensed spend their first years looking for a cop job that doesn't make them work in a jail.

The pattern has been to staff the jail with very expensive licensed help that doesn't want to be there, then freeze the pay of Detention staff and Dispatch (who want those jobs) and wonder why people are leaving for better paying jobs in their chosen field.

Maybe the County Board and the Sheriff needs a lesson in economics.

Why we left Teamsters and joined MNPEA

There's a lot of propaganda being spread about MNPEA by Afscme and the Teamsters. Those of you seeking to leave the dinosaur unions for MNPEA might find our experience helpful in making your decision.

Watch the video I made in September of 2011 while we were in the decertification process. It states  why the Hennepin County Detention Deputies, Telecommunicators and Techs were leaving the Teamsters for MNPEA. Some of what happened to us might be happening to you. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Contract Negotiation Update

Below is a copy of our response to Hennepin County's initial offer:

MNPEA Response to Employer's Initial Proposal from Oct. 29'2013

1) Duration. MNPEA is open on this issue.

2) Wages- 3% General Increase in each year of contract to all unit members (also
referred to as a "COLA"), applies to all steps. See also #3,4 & 5 below.

3) Steps- All unit members not at tcp of range receive steps each year of conlract,
' General lncrease (or "COLA's" ) percenta ge in #2 above shall apply and increase to
all step levels. Steps will not be contingent on any perforrr,ance review or merit.
In addition, certain employees were in recent past o'frozen". For these employees,
two step movements will occur in2014 with the applicable percentage increase.
Applies only to employees employed at time of freeze.

4) Change $18.01 from employers proposal to $20.01, and change $300 lump sum to
$500.

5) Market adjustment- all step grids to ittcrease by $3.00 per hour
.
6) I\{NPEA is ready to sign.

7) Employers proposal is acceptable.

8) Employers proposal is acceptable.

9) No as proposed. Statutory right.

l0) Hold for further discussion- but as drafted, No.

1l) Employers proposal is acceptable.

CHANGES OR ADDITIONS from MNPEA's Initial Proposal

A) MNPEA will drop item under Article l1- Holidays

B) Article 2l- Insurance, see above, ready to sign.

C) All other proposals remain as originally stated or as modified in response to employer
items above. MNPEA reserves the right to add or modify its position and proposals.

D) NEw- 28 day schedule. Want written rules on applicability and procedures in
contract

E) NEW- Telecommunicators Bid- "on or about Nov. 1" language. Add language stating
"on or about means at most a one week grace period from Nov. 1"

An interesting side note. While waiting to go upstairs for our negotiations we ran into a couple of fine folks from AFSCME. You know the guys who got our addresses and came to our homes accompanied by a pedophile.

Well we told them we didn't appreciate Ryan Hanson and Dale Blom's antics. One of them then had the nerve to ask us to sign a bunch of cards they had.soliciting THE PUBLIC for signatures to get them a raise. I told them we were pissed and wouldn't sign anything with AFSCME on it.

AFSCME scumbag Ryan Hanson

Remember when AFSCME obtained our addresses and sent pedophiles to our homes? The dirtbag who started the ball rolling was Ryan Hanson, AFSCME organizer.

Well I made a Freedom of Information Act request and here's the answer I got from Hennepin County:

Pursuant to your data request from our office, please see the information below:

1.       Who made the request from the County or Sheriff’s Office.

a.      The request was made to Hennepin County Human Resources by Ryan Hanson.  

2.       The date of the request.

a.      The request was made in late May 2013 and the information was provided on June 5, 2013.

3.       A copy of everything that was provided for them.

a.      I have attached an electronic copy of the information provided to Mr. Hanson.

Here's his contact info:

Phone: 

(651) 287-0588

I have NEVER heard of a Union obtaining the names and home addresses of Corrections Officers before and then visiting their homes. Of course all AFSCME has is lies and bullshit. How many members do you have left in Wisconsin Ryan? How many Minnesota members have already left for MNPEA?

Just keep working with the recycled lies of Teamsters and Met Council member Ed Reynoso and keep losing members. And good luck at your third attempt at the Bureau on the 14th. It didn't work when the Arrowhead Regional Corrections and the City of Jordan left AFSCME and it won't work now.

Welcome City of Zumbrota PD

Welcome aboard the MNPEA juggernaut. Nice to see another former Teamsters MNTLEL group leaving for real Law Enforcement representation!

Welcome to MNPEA Sherburne County

Congratulations Sherburne County on joining the MNPEA juggernaut! I feel a certain personal connection to you. Like Hennepin, the vote to leave Teamsters Local 320 was overwhelming...only 2 voted to keep Teamsters!

Like Roger and Natalie, I was also removed as a Union Steward without due process by Teamsters Local 320 Secretary Treasurer Sue Mauren, even though elected by the members. We both learned of Teamsters Democracy!

Back when I still believed the Teamsters could change and actually represent the members, Sherburne County supported me in my winning bid to be a delegate to the 2011 Teamsters Convention on the Anyone But Hoffa Slate. Of course even that election would have been corrupted had we not received Federal oversight.

So for these and so many more reasons I say welcome aboard. You will love the fact that members actually control their destiny and the legal protection is unprecedented.

In solidarity,
Wade Laszlo

New Corrupt Challange

This is a sad tale. The MNPEA has been a good hardworking Association for us for over two years. It has grown into one of the largest Corrections, Law Enforcement, Public Employee  Associations in Minnesota. 

On November 14th the Bureau of Mediation Services, for the third time, will be holding a hearing at AFSCME's request challenging the MNPEA's right to exist. The following is from MNPEA's Facebook site:

AFSCME is making its 3rd feeble attempt to remove MNPEA as a union! Instead of getting off their butts and doing the job that their members pay dues for they're spending $1000s and $1000s to attack us. The usual 1950s BS union tactics. Rest assured, this attack will fail. We will continue to liberate public employees in MN from the neanderthal unions that have enslaved them for so long. Join us in the 21st century. You know its time for a change.www.mnpea.com

AFSCME went as far as telling Pine County Public employees looking to join MNPEA, that MNPEA is not going to be recognized as a Union, their bullshit challenge, so don't bother voting for them. The vote at Pine County went to AFSCME by one vote. Our attorney challenged this due to AFSCME's lie and the status quo order has been reinstated so they can vote again with the FACTS.

My question to the Bureau of Mediation Services is this:

How many times must MNPEA be certified? How many times will they have to sit through bullshit hearings? Why don't you tell AFSCME that that decision has already been made? Or do you owe favors to Eliot Seide of AFSCME? Is the Bureau only for the large Unions like AFSCME and Teamsters who are losing members? Or representing working citizens and the Unions they choose without prejudice?

As organized Public Employees we need to have trust in the Bureau. If it appears to be in the pocket of other entities then it serves no purpose. 

Hennepin County Initial Offer

This is the County's initial offer. Obviously not something we'd sign on to. We are filing for Mediation tomorrow. We meet again on November 12th.

An Open Letter to Hennepin County Workhuse CO's

Fellow CO's at the Hennepin County Workhouse,

Thanks for the effort. The members have spoken. I only hope you have learned that the essential workhouse CO's DO NOT have to bargain with the non-essential clerks. 

Demand of your Union that they allow you to bargain as essentials or the outcome may be different next time.

Ramsey County makes $4 an hour more than us. Why? AFSCME forces you to bargain as non-essentials and you get stuck with clerks raises. 

Then the county hits us with, "the pattern is set." This happens year after year until Hennepin County Detention Deputies and Corrections Officers are the lowest paid in the 7 county metro area. We need to stand together.

The MNPEA Detention Deputies are asking for a market adjustment (parity with Ramsey Co.), and a 3% COLA for 2014 and 2015. Our Union is willing to take this to arbitration. Demand the same of yours.

Why would AFSCME never once arbitrate your contract? Why did they let you fall to dead last in compensation? They know you can't strike, so why not arbitrate?

Remember, your Union should work for you, not the other way around.

Good Luck,

In solidarity,

Wade

Public Safety Salary Comparison

This is a list of Public Safety Salaries I've composed. I will list them from highest to lowest paid. All salaries are 2012 compensation. *

2012 pay

1.  Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek                                                         $151,102
2.  Hennepin County Community Corrections Director, Thomas Merkel           $144,943
3.  Ramsey County Sheriff, Matt Bostrom                                                       $135,630
4. Minneapolis Police Chief  Janee Harteau                                                     $126, 155
5. Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton                                                                     $119, 850
6. Minnesota State Patrol Chief, Kevin Daly                                                   $114,721
7. Minn. Commissioner of Corrections, Tom Roy                                            $112,126

* source for salaries: http://extra.twincities.com/car/salaries/default.aspx


Commentary: As you can see Hennepin County pays it's Public Safety "CEO's" the highest salaries in the State. At the same time their Public Safety employees are the lowest paid in the 7 County Metro Area.

Why? The anonymous comment on the previous post, Hennepin County vs Ramsey County Detention, holds the key. The anonymous comment stated, "Wade, the Sheriff gets the same raises that all non-exempt employees get (basically the standard as the AFSCME clerical union sets). Which ultimately is the standard that is set for basically all of us." (Bold emphasis mine).

Hennepin County has had a cozy relationship with AFSCME for decades. They settle with the non-essential clerical and then say, "The pattern is set," and impose that settlement on everyone, including essential employees. 


AFSCME has NEVER allowed it's Hennepin County Adult Corrections essential employees to bargain separate from the clerical. This cozy little AFSCME arrangement has led to Hennepin County essential employees being dead last in pay in the metro area by accepting non-essential contract settlements. 


I doubt the State Patrol Troopers bargain with their clerks!

My opinion is that AFSCME has been complicit in keeping down essential employee pay. It is time for this to end.

More Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Spending

In this contract negotiation season I'd like to highlight some more of the HCSO's budget priorities.

Former WCCO reporter Kiava

The Star Tribune is reporting that PIO (Personal Information Officer) Lisa Kiava just got promoted to "Communication Diretctor". The Henepin County Sheriff's Office will pay her $44 an hour, $91,000 a year for this newly minted position.

Former KDLT Anchor Johnson

And they filled the vacant PIO position with former Sioux Falls,KDLT news anchor Jennifer Johnson. Her STARTING pay is $28 an hour, $58,000 a year. That's a starting salary of $1.00 an hour more than top Detention Deputy pay. 

And let's not forget the $30,000 the HCSO just spent on gun lockers for all of the Licensed Deputies handguns. 

Readers feel free to forward more items to this blog.

Hennepin County vs Ramsey County Detention

 This is a comparison between Hennepin County and Ramsey County. It will compare salaries of their respective Sheriffs and Detention Deputies. 

 Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek

Salary: $151,102 in 2012
 (up from $145,181 in 2008)

Hennepin County Detention Deputy pay:

Start $17 an hour. Top *$27 an hour after 8 years

*Hennepin  froze steps and wages for 5 years ending in 2013.

Vacation: 23 days after 18 years

Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom

Salary: $135, 631 in 2012

Ramsey County Detention Deputy pay:

Start $22 hr, $31hr at 5 years, top at 20 years $34 hr

Vacation: 25 days after 18 years

Hennepin County Jail Capacity: 839 beds

Ramsey County Jail Capacity: 500 beds


Things to consider:

Why did the Hennepin County Sheriff's pay go up $6,000 in a four year period Detention Deputy wages were static?

Why does the Ramsey County Sheriff make $16,000 a year less than the Hennepin County Sheriff, while Ramsey County Detention Deputies make an average of $4 an hour more than Hennepin County Detention Deputies?

My opinion is it's priorities. Ramsey County places a higher emphasis on employee attraction and retention. Hennepin County places a higher priority on department heads.

Even the schedule at the Ramsey County jail is employee friendly, four 8 hour days on, 2 off. The schedule's details are spelled out in the contract.

Hennepin County Detention Deputies suffer a 28/8 schedule where days off are bid, and they refuse to put into contract the rules for the schedule.

If Hennepin County is interested in better employee retention they would consider  higher pay for the biggest busiest, most dangerous jail in Minnesota (currently Hennepin County pay is dead last in the 7 county metro area) and actually putting the rules for the schedule into the Contract.

We await Hennepin County's counter offer on October 29th.

Berntson Family Help Needed

On March 15th 2012, Detention Sergeant Brad Berntson, died after being bitten by an HIV positive inmate. The side effects from the anti-viral medications killed him. 

It has yet to be declared what it is, a death in the line of duty, by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. As a result his widow and family have a greatly reduced death benefit.

His family needs help with yard clean-up to sell the house. On Saturday October 26th at 9 AM they are needing people to help with yard work.

If you are able to help email Brad Laudert at bjlaudert@msn.com for a head count (food will be served) and directions. 

Contract Talks Update

We meet again with Hennepin County on October 29th to receive their proposal. Our position is resolute. We need a market adjustment and a cost of living raise in addition to steps.

Hennepin County Detention Deputies and our counterparts at the Workhouse ARE THE LOWEST PAID IN THE 7 COUNTY METRO AREA!

This is unacceptable. A Ramsey County Detention Deputy starts at $22 an hour. A Hennepin County one starts at $17. At 5 years a Ramsey County Detention Deputy is at $31 an hour. Hennepin tops out at $27 an hour after 8 years, that is if there wasn't the 5 years of wage freezes we just had. Ramsey tops at $34 an hour.

We are the biggest busiest jail in the upper Midwest and the only ACA accredited jail in Minnesota, which means shit when it comes to more wages. It only means we get hours and hours of more training than our better paid counterparts.

Well, Hennepin County had better have a serious offer or this steward won't think twice about going to arbitration. After all, the only mint left on the pillow after we got screwed last time, was that we can compare ourselves to Ramsey County, and we will.

I hope the Workhouse gets on board and doesn't get stuck bargaining as clerical, instead of essential as AFSCME always does to them.

County Postpones 2 year old sick time arbitration

Dear members,

Hennepin County has obtained a continuance of our 2 year old sick time grievance. It was slated for October 22nd, now it's kicked back to December or January. 

They had a list of arbitrators over a year ago when we had our last contact arbitration. It sat and fucking sat.

Finally we got a date for October 22nd. Now, again, it's not happening. Meanwhile more and more of our members keep getting written up and placed on monitored sick leave. 

For two fucking years our grievance has remained unresolved.

The County cited the fact that 2 of their 3 Labor Relations staff have resigned, including the Labor Relations Attorney who handled grievance arbitration.

Well none of these resignations were overnight. Maybe if they didn't freeze their wages so many times, like ours, they wouldn't be leaving for better paying jobs like so many of our staff.

The County reminds the arbitrator that, "It should be noted that the case in question is a contract interpretation matter which does not involve a financial remedy or any back pay." 

Let me remind the County that it is costing our members time and money (co-pays) to be forced to go to the doctor in order to return to work after calling in sick. Let me remind the County that they are self insured and it is costing them a couple of hundred dollars every time we are forced to go to the doctor for a "note from mom." 

Everyday this contract violation goes unresolved it costs our members, the county and ultimately the taxpayers money. Money wasted on unnecessary healthcare costs.

Minneapolis Firefighters Union working against MNPEA

Dear members,

Currently AFSCME is attempting to remove at State level, the Minnesota Public Employees Association (MNPEA) right to represent members. A fight they have lost at the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) twice before.

They've also enlisted the help of other Unions in an attempt to eliminate our right to chose anyone but the usual large Corporate Unions. One such Union assisting them by writing letters disparaging the MNPEA is Minneapolis Firefighters Union Local 82 and their President Mark Lakosky.

This is a letter I sent to Minneapolis Firefighter Union Local 82 President Mark Lakosky:

Mr. Lakosky,

What is YOUR problem with my Union, the Minnesota Public Employees Association (MNPEA)? Why is the Fire Fighters Union getting involved in who other Union workers choose as their exclusive Representative? Why are you writing letters bad mouthing us?

I also remember when Police and Fire tried to prevent us Corrections Officers from getting our 55 retirement back in the late 90's.

Do fireman have a problem with corrections officers? Do we interfere with your Union or Pensions? No, but we could start if you want. I do believe your pension (Police and Fire) is in the red while ours (Correctional)  is in the black


http://detentionhome.blogspot.com/2013/10/mnpea-response-to-afscme-smack-talk.html

Wade Laszlo
Steward MNPEA

MNPEA response to AFSCME smack talk

Dear members,

AFSCME has been talking smack about us, claiming we're not a Union. Here's our MNPEA Business Agent's response:

Attention Minnesota Public Employees:

Because of our ongoing organizing of public groups in Minnesota there have been numerous rumors and statements originating from a couple of big unions about who we are, what we promise and what our service to members is. Here are some of the things being said and our response.

In a recent letter from the President of Local 82, AFL-CIO (MPLS Firefighters Union) he starts with the statement that MNPEA has been comparing itself to the AFL-CIO and AFSCME. Neither I nor the other Officers of MNPEA have ever compared ourselves to them. Why would we? They represent most of the things wrong with the Labor Movement in the 21st century. When I was President of Local 320 Teamster President James Hoffa, after years of requests from Teamster members and officers to leave the AFL-CIO, finally took a vote among the top two officers of all the Teamsters Locals. The desire was overwhelming to leave and we did. In the 34 years I've been involved in MN unions as a member, agent and officer, I have watched AFSCME roll over in contract negotiations time and again. Our members and many of theirs have voiced the same opinion. While the Teamsters left the AFL-CIO, they kept a non-raid pact with AFSCME or we would have had several of their groups cross over to Teamsters. Until MNPEA there has been a monopoly on most public jobs in MN by AFSCME and Teamsters.

He also stated that MNPEA doesn’t have political clout because we’re too small. MNPEA is already three times larger than the MPLS Firefighter Union. We haven’t had issues speaking with elected officials, their doors are open to us just like the others. The main difference is that we only endorse candidates if 70% or more of our members are in agreement. We report relevant information concerning political impact on their jobs to our members and let them decide who they want to support and/or vote for like adults. We don’t badger them with endless phone calls and mailings, wasting their dues money and time. Our members consider such behavior on the part of unions to be intrusive and insulting to their intelligence.

He then went on to say that people don’t have a voice with MNPEA and our 3 staff members. In fact our bylaws allow the members to over-ride Executive Board Decisions on grievances they want taken to arbitration if the Board isn’t recommending it! If 70% of the members in a bargaining unit want to arbitrate anyway we do it. He also said that we make promises we can’t keep! WE MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT WE CAN’T PROMISE BETTER CONTRACTS ETC, just that we’ll work harder and return all calls etc. What we do promise are $39 per month union dues through 2016 . No hidden costs. We invite Stewards to our Board meetings and if we ever need to raise dues they will be part of the decision process and we must have the members vote in the increase. We hold Steward elections after each contract is negotiated and approved by the members. The AFSCME groups up in the ARC that came to us were flabbergasted! All of the positions there were appointed under AFSCME!

Both Teamsters and AFSCME representatives have claimed that we aren’t elected. We started this association from scratch and are the first Executive Board Members. Our bylaws provide for elections just like theirs. All of the groups that have come to us elected to do so. That’s the process through the MN Bureau Of Mediation. Before I retired from Teamsters Local 320 myself, our President Dave Deal and several members ran against their Executive Board in the Teamsters Delegate Election in 2011 and WE WON! None of the 320 Board Members, Agents and members running with them got to go. WE represented the Teamster members at the convention. This had never happened to an existing Teamster Executive Board before. Change can be had if you have the courage and conviction to stand up, which we did and continue to do. Don’t let the big unions intimidate you, they’re not tough guys like some of them pretend to be unless lazy is the new tough LoL! You deserve better.

AFSCME is currently spending their member’s dues money paying several people to take off work and replacing their wages while they come out to places of work and member’s homes to spread lies about MNPEA. They are doing mailings, emails, home visits and phone calls 7 days a week. Many of the mailings and flyers have no author listed! Not much due process when anonymous letters and rumors lead the procession. The lies for the most part are down right childish. Silly things like your contract doesn’t go with you. You’ll lose your job. Anyone can call the MN Bureau Of Mediation, the State Agency that handles union and employer affairs, and ask them how things really work.http://mn.gov/bms/index.html Do you really want people that tell childish lies and slander instead of stepping up to the plate and making changes? We don’t go out and cold call groups. They contact us! For many years AFSCME and Teamsters have had a monopoly on Public Employees in MN. That is no longer the case and members all over are finding that out. We are being contacted all over the state.

One of the things big unions aren’t telling their members is how many paying members they have lost in Right To Work States. For example in Wisconsin AFSCME went from over 50,000 paying members to under 15,000! AFSCME wants to blame conservatives for their condition. NO! It’s the lack of service and the high monthly dues that are the downfall of big unions. We hear this constantly from workers calling us wanting to leave their outdated Neanderthal unions. Meanwhile Officers and Agents working for the big unions continue to receive multiple salaries and retirements. They continue to hold extravagant conferences around the country where they stay at fancy hotels with free drinks and food etc. It’s like the rats at the top are stealing everything they can before their ships sink.

We have a new vision for the 21st century instead of the archaic 1950s model the large unions use. 24/7 Legal Defense for our members and their spouses. Including not just Licensed Peace Officers but all public employee members! If a legal issue arises outside of work you call our attorneys. If your employer wants to question you and it can lead to discipline we send an attorney to represent you. We also have open financial dealings. Try to get the spending facts including “Miscellaneous Expenditures” from the big unions. It’s a very sad time in America when big union Executive Boards are corrupt as or worse than many corporate Executives Boards. Good luck to working Americans with that scenario.

You can chose to allow the same old same old or you can stand up and demand change. We are prepared to debate any big union officers, agents, employees etc anytime. Let them try to slander us and lie about us in a public forum. We’ll tell you what really goes on in these organizations and what they really do with your dues money and a whole lot more. Check us out at www.Mnpea.com.

Thank you for your time,
Mike Golen
MNPEA Director

Contract Negotiations

Today we had the first round of contract negotiations.  MNPEA Detention Deputies, Techs and Radio gave our initial proposal today based on member input.

I will limit this blog primarily to the proposals for jail staff, but will upload the total proposal to our e-group (if you aren't on it email me to be added).

Art. 10 Work Schedules Premium Pay

-Raise shift differential. Nights & Weekends to $1.10 an hour


Sec. 11 Specialty Pay

- FTO pay to $3.00 an hour

-Specialty Pay. SRT, Court Staging, Release, Intake Control, Classification

-Policy change. 16 hour overtime limitation per week changed to 32 per pay period

Article 12 Vacations

-Raise top to 25 days per year (in line with the State)

Art. 13 Sick Leave

PTO "me too" with Workhouse Language

Art. 17 Salary Rates

3% Cost of Living  2014 and 2015 AND Market Adjustment
(We are dead last in the Metro Area and the biggest, busiest jail. By Comparison, Ramsey County Detention Deputies make $31 an hour after 5 years, $32 an hour at 10 years and $34 an hour after 20 years.)**SEE FOOTNOTE

Art. 34 Discipline & Discharge

add Oral Reprimands can be removed after 2yrs

**FOOTNOTE
The County Stated that Ramsey is an anomaly and not a comparison. However at our last contract arbitration,  Arbitrator Mary Jo Schiavoni stated:

Both Ramsey County and the state of Minnesota correctional employees are appropriate external comparisons. These are two large public employers located within the same geographic area. They are competitors for employees in the same labor market in which Hennepin County functions. All of the Met Council 7 County Metro counties are also appropriate 
for comparison purposes.

September Update

Contract negotiations begin for us on September 27th.

Arbitration is set for October 22nd for the Sick Time use grievance.

And the Afscme Corrections Officers at the Workhouse filed cards with the Bureau of Mediation Services to vote on a change of Representation. They want to join MNPEA. That means NEGOTIATIONS HAVE STOPPED FOR AFSCME, AT LEAST THE WORKHOUSE. This means AFSCME can't settle and set the pattern! It also means if the Workhouse CO's come over it  will never matter again what AFSCME settles for because the workhouse are essential employees like us.

Cards filed for Hennepin County Workhouse

Last week cards for an election for a Change of Representation were filed with the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services for the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Center. There was a super majority.

Hennepin County Labor Relations was sent a letter by the State of Minnesota. issuing an order of Status Quo. This means AFSCME cannot negotiate the contract, but must continue to represent in grievances and discipline.

What happens now?

The  Bureau of Mediation Services will send a ballot to every Corrections Officer in the bargaining unit. In the privacy of your home you will decide if you want to have the MNPEA as your Exclusive Representative or remain with AFSCME.

If the Corrections Officers at the Workhouse choose MNPEA, the current contract remains in FULL FORCE, despite AFSCME propaganda, and negotiations will resume with the MNPEA as your Representative.

Also for the first time ever to my knowledge, the Workhouse CO's will bargain as essential employees, not mixed with the non-essentials if the MNPEA is chosen.


Here's a list of current MNPEA groups:

Ada Police

Albert Lea Police

Arrowhead Regional Corrections, Essentials

Arrowhead Regional Corrections, Non-Essential

Blue Earth County Corrections & Sgts

Carver County Deputies

City of East Bethel

City of Jordan Clerical

Dakota County Corrections Supervisors

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Happy Labor Day

AFSCME Workhouse questions answered

I am getting emailed many questions from Hennepin County Workhouse AFSCME members. Just to be sure the word is spread beyond just the emailers I will post some of the answers here to questions and AFSCME misinformation..

Misinformation: AFSCME will get a raise but if you go to the MNPEA you won't.

Fact: Raises come from the County not the Union. The County typically offers every organized bargaining unit the SAME raise. Because AFSCME always lumps their essential Corrections Officers with the non-essential clerks and janitors you actually have a BETTER chance of getting a bigger cost of living adjustment with MNPEA. Consider that Hennepin County CO's are the lowest paid in the seven county metro area. You would not do worse than the county offer, but have a real good chance at doing better if you bargain as essentials with MNPEA.

Misinformation: Side agreements like our bid agreements will disappear.

Fact:  Those agreements are between the employer and YOU, the bargaining unit. Those agreements will remain intact. All of the side agreements we had as Teamsters carried over when we switched to the MNPEA. You can also negotiate NEW side agreements with the employer as MNPEA members.

Misinformation:  You will pay MNPEA $39 a check in dues.

Fact: Dues are only $39 a month and includes the Legal Protection Plan.

Misinformation:  The MNPEA legal plan only covers up to $5,000 and they decide who they cover and who they won't. 

Fact:  Right from the MNPEA website: 

I.  Criminal Charges – Trial & Defense: Complete legal representation (all attorneys fees paid) for criminal charges (including DWI and Criminal Traffic matters- meaning where jail time may be potentially be imposed), whether job related or not, on duty or off duty, within the State of Minnesota.  Covers all attorneys fees for all stages of representation, from pre-charging to sentencing. 

The $5,000 number comes from the part of the MNPEA Plan covering other expenses:

Additionally, all costs (costs are not attorneys fees- these are expenses the firm pays out of pocket or advances to the client’s case) incurred by the Firm shall have a maximum coverage of $5,000 per case.  Cost may include, but are not limited to, online legal research fees, mileage (excluding Fowler’s mileage), filing fees, copy expenses, fax expenses, obtaining police reports, expert witness fees and retainers, depositions, statements, fingerprints, collection of physical evidence, hiring private investigators, etc.  For costs in excess of $5,000, the Member shall be personally responsible. 

There are several MNPEA members who have used this plan for things ranging from DWI, Disorderly Conduct, Domestic Assault and even a fire pit that got out of control. They did not spend a penny.

Also consider how much you would spend to defend yourself from an inmate allegation of sexual misconduct under the PREA.

Misinformation: We will wait until after the contract is settled. After all the AFSCME State Corrections Officers got a 3% and 3% cost of living. We don't want to jeopardize that. 

Fact:  If you wait until after the AFSCME contract is settled you will not be able to drop them for 2 years. The open period for contracts is between 120 days and 60 days before the contract expires. For Hennepin County that means you can only change exclusive reps in September and October every two years. Again, the County will offer everyone the same raise as a starting point.

Changing Representation should not be taken lightly.  Ask yourself these questions:

Does my business agent represent the rank and file concerns or the larger political ones of the Union?

Does my Union back me when I have a grievance?

Does my money go to overpaid fat cats and politicians rather than arbitrations for member concerns?

Does the Union care about my shop, or are we lumped in with job classes we have nothing in common with?

If I am a Public Employee does my Union have Legal Representaion, because my job could depend on it?

Why hasn't my Union paid any attention to us until we started filling out cards to leave? 

Can I take another 2 years of AFSCME?

If you are happy with your current representation vote to stay.

If not, it's time to end a bad relationship, vote to join MNPEA and get the representation you deserve.

REMEMBER THIS IS A BLOG. FEEL FREE TO POST QUESTIONS ON THIS BLOG AND I CAN ANSWER FOR ALL TO SEE. YOU CAN POST ANONYMOUSLY. 

An Open Letter To AFSCME Members Seeking To Join MNPEA

Let me preface this by saying that I am a CO and a Union Steward. I am a member of the MNPEA, not an employee. This is based on my experience of us Hennepin County Detention Deputies decertifying Teamsters Local 320 two years ago and us than certifying the MNPEA as our exclusive rep.

Once your current Union discovers that you are filling out cards to leave, the propaganda begins. Teamsters sent out a mailing telling us we could lose our seniority, benefits and that the contract would be non-existent until it was negotiated from scratch with the new Union. 

Fact: The contract is between you and the employer. The ONLY thing changing is who you have to represent your interest in your part of the contract. 

Every aspect of the contract between you and the employer stays the same.

Once the Bureau of Mediation Services (BMS) has your cards authorizing an election they will mail out a ballot to every member of your bargaining unit. Each individual will vote in the privacy of their home and mail the ballot back to the BMS.

The BMS will set a date to count the ballots. On that day witnesses from the MNPEA and AFSCME will watch the BMS count the ballots. Whoever gets at least 51% of the ballots returned will be your groups Exclusive Representative. Teamsters Local 320 only got one vote when we voted them out.

Representation changes hands at midnight that night if the MNPEA wins, and your legal coverage begins. If the MNPEA loses then nothing changes with you and your current Union.

Prior to the election your present Union MUST continue to represent you in grievances, discipline, etc. If they do not they are open for a Failure to Represent Lawsuit. Larger Unions have been known to threaten members. That is not legal. 

Once the change was made with us, the MNPEA held Steward elections (some of us had been removed as Stewards by Teamsters) then we proceeded to negotiations.

I really hope the Hennepin County Workhouse CO's come over. You are essential employees and have been forced to bargain with the non-essentials. To my knowledge AFSCME never gave you a contract arbitration. If you chose the MNPEA you will bargain only with and as essential employees. Your salary will not be comparable to the non-essentials.

If any of you has a questions feel free to email me at wade.laszlo@gmail.com

In solidarity,

Wade Laszlo

Detention Deputy Down

LODD: PHOENIX, AZ

Detention Officer Jorge Vargas
Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, AZ
EOW: 8/8/2013

Officer Jorge Vargas was murdered Thursday morning at 4 am, after being shot in the driveway of his Arizona home while he prepared to head to work.

It appeared that Officer Vargas might have been working on his truck since the hood was up and the driver-side door was open. Vargas was found on the ground beside that truck.

Officer Vargas was an eight-year veteran of the department's Custody Support Bureau in the jail’s food factory, but he often came into contact with inmates.

Officer Vargas is survived by his loving wife, his 5 year old son and his parents.

God comfort his family, friends and partners during this difficult time...Pray God accepts his soul...

RIP Brother...

http://www.azfamily.com/news/Suspect-in-West-Phoenix-shooting-on-the-loose-218830801.html

Officer Safety Warning

There are people who are knocking on the doors of the Hennepin County Detention Deputies, Techs and Dispatchers from AFSCME. We believe they have improperly obtained non-public data to do this. There is an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.

WARNING: One of the people going to our homes is a CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER. The victim was just 14 years old. We do not know the criminal  backgrounds of the rest of them. USE CAUTION IF THEY APPROACH YOUR HOME.

This the sex offender's mugshot:

Click here for his most recent picture.

Just yesterday a Maricopa County Detention Deputy was murdered in his driveway as he prepared to go to work. Use Caution.

There is a special meeting being held Monday. Please attend, it is posted on the bulletin boards at work.

MNPEA Legal in Action

Last night I received a call from one of our stewards at the Hennepin County Jail. There had been a critical incident. He called the MNPEA 24 Hour Hotline. In no time at all Rob Fowler and another MNPEA attorney were on scene to be with our members as they gave statements to investigators.

Thanks again Rob and MNPEA.

Ryan Hanson, AFSCME, Publish Corrections Officers Addresses

This is Ryan Hanson. He is an organizer with AFSCME. His card has been left at the homes of  our Hennepin County Detention Deputies and Dispatchers.

He, along with Hennepin County Workhouse Corrections Officer Dale Blom, Minnesota  State Patrol 911 Dispatcher Megan Hennessey, and Minnesota DOC Stillwater Prison Corrections Officer Bill Stephens are visiting our homes with lists they claim are "public information." 

I then must ask the question. How would Minnesota State Correctional Officers, Minnesota State Patrol 911 Operators and Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility Corrections Officers feel if their names and home addresses were published? As fellow Corrections Officers isn't this a major security violation? How unnerving would it be to your family to have two strangers at their door asking for you by name as a CO? Do you really trust a Union that thinks this is OK?

Would you have a problem if your private data was passed out for people to knock on your door? 

This tells me AFSCME has no respect for workers, and especially no regard for the safety of Corrections Officers.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

AFSCME people have been coming to members doors. If they/when they show up get their name, a picture if you can and ask how they got your address.

Let a steward know we are compiling a comprehensive list of everyone they have visited at home or called.

The information they are using is not public.

There will be a meeting in the near future with a VERY important announcement.