Teamsters DRIVE Endorses Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher has been endorsed by Teamsters DRIVE.
He supported our Correctional Officers Bill of Rights, our Pension, our Blood Borne Pathogens Bill and is the only Sheriff to testify at the State capital for Corrections Officers. Congratulations Sheriff Fletcher.

Off-duty corrections officer shot near home

CHICAGO

Authorities in Chicago say an off-duty Cook County Correctional Officer has been shot outside his home on the city's southwest side.

Steve Patterson, a spokesman for Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart identified the victim of the Wednesday night shooting as Correctional Officer Jacob Cano.
Patterson said Cano has worked at the Cook County Jail since 2003, and was leaving his home to begin his 11 p.m. shift when he was shot in the back by an unknown assailant.

Full Story

The Cook County Correctional Officer's are members of Teamsters Local 714

Arbitration Date

The arbitration date for the excessive discipline grievance is set for December 1st.

Where are the bagpipes?

Corrections USA Demands Justice for Fallen Officers Family Highland

Highland Hills, Ohio: William Hesson, a 39 year old hero-Correctional Officer, military personnel, and dedicated family man was murdered in the line of duty at Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility in Highland Hills, Ohio. He is the first officer to be killed during an assault in the 28 year history of the juvenile detention facility. His murder was the result of a severe beating at the hands of inmates.

The county and administration have added to the trauma of the family by refusing to pay any death in the line of duty benefits to his surviving pregnant spouse and three children. It is the administration's position that Officer Hesson had not served as a Correctional Officer long enough for his family to be entitled to these benefits.

Corrections USA Chairman, Jim Baiardi, called the actions of the administration despicable and incomprehensible. "When Officer Hesson was asked to wear a badge to protect public safety, he was never told that seconds, minutes, or days mattered, he was just told to do his job. Correctional Officers are heroes the minute they put on their badge. The Officers deserve to be treated as heroes and their families deserve to be compensated for their loss, regardless of how long the officer has been on the job. Officer Hesson died a hero, doing his job while protecting the public."

FULL STORY

Where are the bagpipes we hear and see everytime a police officer gives his/her life in the line of duty? Apparently Correctional Officers sacrifices don't add up. This man's family doesn't even merit death benefits.

Prisoners found drinking anti-swine flu hand gel to get drunk

Prisoners found drinking anti-swine flu hand gel to get drunk

Hand gels supplied to a prison to combat the risk of swine flu have been removed after inmates realised it contained alcohol and began drinking it to try to get drunk. Guardian UK

FULL STORY

Corrupt Politicians exposed on YouTube?

That's right some of our friends at the CCPOA have begun posting YouTube videos of corrupt politicians that relate to our profession, like these 2 corrupt judges on their CorrectionsUSA channel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6OxzV_ud2M

They're looking for more submissions!

CCPOA TV

The CCPOA, Calofornia Correctional Peace Officers Association is one of the toughest unions out there representing correctional officers. A model we can all be proud of! This is the latest from their site:

Today CCPOA is launching our First Watch Frontline News video reports so that we can get first hand information on important events out to you faster. We hope to post a new report a least once a month, or more often as important events happen that effect you...WATCH on CCPOA.TV

These videos show why correctional officers, "Walk the toughest beat!"

CDC's Worst Nightmare-take pride in our profession!

For your viewing pleasure

Hennepin County Jail Swine Flu

Hennepin County makes move to reduce jail population for H1N1, then back-tracks.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Lisa Kiava said the court order resulted from a "general miscommunication" between Sheriff Rich Stanek's office and the courts. She was unable to say how or by whom it was miscommunicated to Wernick.

Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal said when she heard about the order, she contacted Wernick and told him it wasn't necessary now. The city handles many of the lower-level crimes. Segal said she understood Stanek's office requested the order "in good faith," but she opposes it -- for now. (Star Tribune)

Full Story

I'm glad Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal is so knowledgable of Swine Flu and the jail's plan. Is she aware that there's a Special Order that we must stay home for seven days if we get flu like syptoms? How well will that work in a full jail?

Corrections News and Views volume 2

Teamsters Picnic, August 16th

Teamsters Local 320 Meeting

Teamsters Local 320 Meeting

September 25th, 2009

1200- 1300 and 1500-1600 hours

Teamsters Building
3001 University Ave. S.E.
Suite 5000
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Agenda:

Upcoming Contract

The 28 Day Schedule

Excessive Discipline

NO FAIR SHARE!
If you are unsure of your status call 612/378-8700 and inquire

Arbitrator Picked

The arbitrator has been picked for the excessive discipline from a DWI. Just waitng for the date to be set now.

Happy Labor Day

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City.[1] In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.[2] Cleveland was also concerned that aligning a US labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair.[3] All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Full Wikipedia Story

Happy Labor Day Teamsters, we have a proud history!

Join the Union

There are still a few Fair Share detention deputies out there. I will be putting the following letter and applications in their mail boxes this week:

Join the Union!

You’re getting this letter because you are listed as “Fair Share” not a member of Teamsters Local 320.

Why join the union?

1. The Contract. You get to vote on the contract. This upcoming contract will be very important because we will finally be able to craft some language that reflects the 28 day schedule.
2. Teamsters Legal Defense Fund. ALL full members are covered by the Teamsters Legal Defense Fund. This means if an inmate and/or the employer accuses you of a criminal or civil matter your legal expenses, lawyer fees and all are covered. Fair Share are on their own. Would you drive a car without insurance?
3. Solidarity. Fair Share tells the employer you don’t care and weakens our bargaining position. Strength is in numbers.
4. Elect Stewards. Every 2 years all stewards are up for election. Members elect their stewards.

What has the Union done for me?

1. Paid Holidays. Teamsters Local 320 got us paid holidays. Pre-Teamsters Holidays were worked at straight time.
2. 55 Retirement. Teamsters Local 320 got us the 55 Correctional Retirement. Prior to that we would have worked until 67.
3. Blood Borne Pathogens Bill. Teamsters Local 320 passed the Blood Borne Pathogens Bill. This means if you are exposed to an inmates blood and body fluids they can be forced to give a blood sample to test for disease.

The Union also represents you in Internal Affairs and defends you if you are disciplined. We file grievances on your behalf and advocate for you. Strength is in numbers and unity.

JOIN THE UNION!

What's Up

The arbitrators are in the process of being picked for the excessive discipline from a DWI. The County is dragging it's feet but it's getting there.

Sheets will be going out to all members to write down what you want us to negotiate in the upcoming contract.

Self nomination sheets will be posted this week for 2 more stewards.

Regarding our former steward that that Sheriff Stanek is attempting to fire, Teamsters has paid for a lawyer to represent his Garrity Rights violated by Sheriff Stanek. Our member has chosen the Veteran's preference route and I'm confident he'll be back at work. He has the full backing of Teamsters local 320, as do all of us. Many more details will be on our egroup documenting the BS from this administration.

A letter from our Business Agent

Dear Members,

In all of my years as a Teamsters Business Agent I have never seen a more anti-union Sheriff and administration then Sheriff Stanek and the Sheriff’s Administration currently at Hennepin County. Never before have I seen a Sheriff get involved to have one of our members and stewards charged with a case they not only had no personal knowledge of, but that was outside of their jurisdiction. Sheriff Stanek has no regard for our labor contract, labor law, Garrity rights, veterans’ rights or even past settlement agreements. Sheriff Stanek has misused County and public resources by sending out personal and protected information to agencies outside of the scope of his office and jurisdiction in an effort to slander one of our members, and misusing county employees and taxpayer resources to accomplish this anti-union goal. These anti-union qualities exhibited by Sheriff Stanek are unworthy of the high office of the Hennepin County Sheriff that the public has entrusted him with.

Business Agent Tom Perkins, Teamsters Local 320

Steward Nominations

STEWARD NOMINATIONS
THERE ARE 2 OPENEINGS FOR STEWARDS
A SELF NOMINATING SHEET WILL BE HUNG UP NEXT WEEK

Sheriff's Office Again Shows Disregard For Employees

Once again the Sheriff's Office has changed the days off of detention deputies 5 days after the 28 day schedule was posted. This disregard for the personal lives of it's employees brings us stress, problems at home and lost money for hotel reservations and airline tickets purchased.

While I realize the Sheriff's Office likes the flexibility (for them) of the schedule and thinks it is saving them money I wish they would honor what they said they would do and lock out the schedule 10 days before as they promised, instead of posting the schedule and then pulling a fast one on us.

I encourage anyone adversely affected by this change to work the chain of command to fix their days off and if that doesn't work to file a grievance to recover money spent for plans that was subsequently lost.