Closer to Home

Denver DNC Heats Up!

100 protesters taken to temporary center

CodePINK marches for peace - peacefully

Lawsuit possible in wake of mass arrest

Only 2 arrests, but one stirs a tempest- Denver Post

Veteran's GI Benefits Restored

After months of work the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will once again be participating in the Veterans OJT (On the Job Training) Program.

The program will now be available to BOTH Detention and Licensed Deputies and will be offered to all Veterans during their orientation at the jail.

The program may (they're checking) be available to current Veterans who are still on probation retroactive from the official start date of the program which should be in the near future.

THE HENNEPIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WILL NOW BE THE ONLY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN MINNESOTA PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM!

Other departments participating are the Minneapolis PD and St. Paul PD.

Gatineau Wal-Mart goes union as UFCW Canada wins first contract

Gatineau Wal-Mart goes union as UFCW Canada wins first contract

15/08/2008Download this Media Release (PDF 1881k)
GATINEAU, QC - August 15,2008 - UFCW Canada members at a Wal-Mart location in Gatineau, Quebec have made history by becoming the only Wal-Mart workers in North America to have a union contract, after a Quebec arbitrator imposed a collective agreement on Friday.

The contract raises average wages of the Gatineau Wal-Mart members by more than 30%. Improved vacation provisions are also part of the three-year agreement. The terms of the collective agreement are effective immediately.

"Wal-Mart should now act as a good Canadian corporate citizen," said UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley," and live up to the terms of the contract."

The UFCW Canada Local 486 bargaining unit at the Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express was certified in 2005. The collective agreement was the result of binding arbitration, following almost three years of legal delays and stalled negotiations with the company.

"We believe the arbitrator did a good job and that it is a fair contract, in line with similar workplaces in Quebec," said Hanley.

"It shows that even after three years, workers at Wal-Mart, like all Canadian workers, can exercise their Freedom of Association rights and get a decent collective agreement."

Two more Wal-Mart collective agreements are expected in Quebec before the end of the year, when binding arbitration is complete for bargaining units at a Wal-Mart in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec.

Source: UFCW Canada

Bustin' a move on a Mounty

Who is the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace made up of?

By now you've all seen the ads featuring "Sopranos' Vincent Curatola Warning Minnesotans: Al Franken Supports Employee Free Choice Act" The ads warn that you would be losing your privacy rights and the "secret ballot" would no longer exist. Currently to organize a workplace to be union one must get 51% of the employees to sign a card authorizing an election. The Labor Relations Board then sets an election date usually a few months out that then gives the employer time to fire the trouble makers, intimidate employees and usually conduct a campaign of disinformation about how bad the union would be. The Employee Free Choice Act would make it so that if 51% of workers authorized a union to represent them they would then be represented by the union of their choice. But it would not prevent a Union from holding an election with secret ballot either. Simply put it gives workers a better chance of organizing in a hostile environment before employers can fire them. Who wouldn't want this? In todays economy of rising costs and static wages the wealthy are getting richer from rising oil costs and cheap third world NAFTA labor. They are only looking out for their welfare. So who is the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace made up of? Read below and see. It's not workers or unions, it's big industry!

The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace is:

A 60 Plus Association
Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield (MA)Alabama Chapter of ABCAlabama Restaurant AssociationAlaska Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers AssociationAlaska Chapter of ABCAlliance for Worker FreedomAluminum AssociationAmerican Apparel & Footwear AssociationAmerican Bakers AssociationAmerican Beverage AssociationAmerican Conservative UnionAmerican Fire Sprinkler AssociationAmerican Foundry SocietyAmerican Frozen Food InstituteAmerican Hospital AssociationAmerican Hotel & Lodging AssociationAmerican Meat InstituteAmerican Seniors Housing AssociationAmerican Shareholders AssociationAmerican Society for Healthcare Human Resources AdministrationAmerican Society of EmployersAmerican Supply AssociationAmerican Trucking AssociationsAmerican Wholesale Marketers AssociationAmericans for a Limited GovernmentAmericans for ProsperityAmericans for Tax ReformAMT-The Association for Manufacturing TechnologyAntelope Valley (CA) Chamber of CommerceAPIArcadia (CA) Chamber of CommerceArizona Builders Alliance of ABCArizona Chamber of Commerce & IndustryArizona Hotel & Lodging AssociationArizona IECArizona Restaurant & Hospitality AssociationArkansas Chapter of ABCArkansas Hospitality AssociationArkansas Hotel & Lodging AssociationArkansas IECArkansas State Chamber of CommerceAsheboro/Randolph (NC) Chamber of CommerceAshland & Tri State Area Chapter IEC
Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)Assisted Living Federation of AmericaAssociated Builders & ContractorsAssociated Builders & Contractors Heart of America ChapterAssociated Builders & Contractors of AlabamaAssociated Industries of MassachusettsAssociation of Equipment ManufacturersAssociation of Millwork DistributorsAssociation of Washington BusinessAssociation of Woodworking & Furnishings SuppliersAtlanta Hotel CouncilAutomotive Aftermarket Industry AssociationBaltimore Metro Chapter of ABCBearing Specialists AssociationBurnsville (MN) Chamber of CommerceBusiness & Industry Association of New HampshireCalifornia Chamber of CommerceCalifornia Hotel & Lodging AssociationCalifornia Manufacturers & Technology AssociationCalifornia Restaurant AssociationCamarillo (CA) Chamber of CommerceCapital Associated Industries IncCarolinas Chapter of ABCCenter for Freedom & ProsperityCenter for Individual FreedomCenter for the Defense of Free EnterpriseCenTex Chapter IECCentral Alabama Chapter IECCentral California Chapter of ABCCentral Florida Chapter of ABCCentral Indiana IECCentral Michigan Chapter of ABCCentral Missouri IECCentral Ohio AEC/EICCentral Ohio Chapter of ABCCentral Pennsylvania Chapter of ABCCentral Pennsylvania Chapter of IECCentral Texas Chapter of ABCCentral Washington IECCentre County (PA) IECChamber of Commerce of St. Joseph CountyChamber of Medford/Jackson County (OR)Charleston (SC) Metro Chamber of CommerceChattanooga Area (TN) Chamber of CommerceChesapeake Chapter of ABCChesapeake IECChicagoland Chamber of CommerceCincinnati USA Regional ChamberCitizen Outreach ProjectCollege & University Professional Association for Human ResourcesColorado Association of Commerce & IndustryColorado Association of Commerce and IndustryColorado Hospital AssociationColorado Hotel & Lodging AssociationColorado Restaurant AssociationConnecticut Business & Industry AssociationConnecticut Chapter of ABCConnecticut Restaurant AssociationCopper & Brass ServicenterCornhusker Chapter of ABCCosta Mesa (CA) Chamber of CommerceCouncil for Citizens Against Government WasteCumberland Valley Chapter of ABCDakotas Inc IEC/Dallas Chapter IECDaytona Beach/Halifax (FL) Chamber of CommerceDelaware Chapter of ABCDelaware Restaurant AssociationDetroit Regional Chamber of CommerceDuluth (MN) Area Chamber of CommerceEast Tennessee Chapter of ABCEast Tennessee IECEast Texas IECEastern Pennsylvania Chapter of ABCEastern Sandoval County (NM) Chamber of CommerceEastern Shore Chapter of ABCEastern Washington Chapter IECEl Paso Chapter IECEmpire State Chapter of ABCEnvironmental Industry AssociationsFairfax County (VA) Chamber of CommerceFederation of American HospitalsFEWA-Marketing & Distribution AssociationFlagstaff (AZ) Chamber of CommerceFlorida Chamber of CommerceFlorida East Coast Chapter of ABCFlorida First Coast Chapter of ABCFlorida Gulf Coast Chapter of ABCFlorida Restaurant & Lodging AssociationFlorida West Coast Chapter IECFood Marketing InstituteForging Industry AssociationFort Worth/Tarrant County IECFreedom WorksGeorgia Chamber of CommerceGeorgia Chapter of ABCGeorgia Hotel & Lodging AssociationGeorgia IECGeorgia Restaurant AssociationGlendale (AZ) Chamber of CommerceGolden Gate Chapter of ABCGoleta Valley (CA) Chamber of CommerceGrand Junction Area (CO) Chamber of CommerceGraphic Arts AssociationGreater Albuquerque (NM) Chamber of CommerceGreater Bakersfield (CA) Chamber of CommerceGreater Cincinnati IECGreater Columbia (SC) Chamber of CommerceGreater Columbus (GA) Chamber of CommerceGreater Decatur Chamber of CommerceGreater Delray Beach Chamber of CommerceGreater Elkhart (IN) Chamber of CommerceGreater Findlay (OH) Chamber of Commerce, Inc.Greater Hamilton Chamber of CommerceGreater Houston Chapter of ABCGreater Louisville Inc.Greater Medina Chamber of CommerceGreater Pittsburgh Chamber of CommerceGreater Pittsburgh Hotel AssociationGreater Raleigh (NC) Chamber of CommerceGreater Spokane IncorporatedGreater St. Louis IECGreater Syracuse (NY) Chamber of CommerceGreen Bay Area (WI) Chamber of CommerceGuam Contractors Association of ABCHampton Area (NH) Chamber of CommerceHampton Roads Chapter IECHardin County Chamber of CommerceHartford (CT) Chamber of CommerceHawaii Chapter of ABCHawaii Hotel & Lodging AssociationHawaii Restaurant AssociationHeart of America Chapter of ABCHeating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors InternationalHenderson (NV) Chamber of CommerceHilliard Chamber of CommerceHispanic Alliance for Progress InstituteHobbs (NM) Chamber of CommerceHospitality Association of South CarolinaHotel Association of New York CityHotel Association of Washington DCHouma-Terrebonne Chamber of CommerceHR Policy AssociationIdaho IECIdaho Lodging and Restaurant AssociationIllinois Chamber of CommerceIllinois Chapter of ABCIllinois Hotel & Lodging AssociationIllinois IECIllinois Restaurant AssociationIndependent Electrical Contractors IncIndian River County (FL) Chamber of CommerceIndiana Chamber of CommerceIndiana Chapter of ABCIndustrial Fasteners InstituteIndustrial Supply AssociationInland Pacific Chapter of ABCInterlocking Concrete Pavement InstituteInternational Council of Shopping CentersInternational Foodservice Distributors AssociationInternational Franchise AssociationInternational Truck Parts AssociationInternational Warehouse Logistics AssociationIowa Association of Business & IndustryIowa Chapter of ABCIowa Restaurant AssociationIowans for Right to WorkKansas City IECKansas Restaurant and Hospitality AssociationKentuckiana Chapter of ABCKentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter IECKentucky Chamber of CommerceKentucky Electrical Contractors AssociationKeystone Chapter of ABCKentucky Restaurant AssociationLake Havasu Area (AZ) Chamber of CommerceLarue County Chamber of CommerceLas Vegas (NV) Chamber of CommerceLas Vegas Chapter of ABCLicking County Chamber of CommerceLittle Rock Chamber of CommerceLong Beach (CA) Chamber of CommerceLos Angeles-Ventura Chapter of ABCLouisiana Association of Business & IndustryLouisiana Restaurant AssociationLower Bucks County Chamber of CommerceLubbock Chapter IECMaine Chapter of ABCMaine Innkeepers AssociationMaine Restaurant AssociationManagement Association of Illinois (The)Manufacturers’ Association of NW PennsylvaniaMarion Area Chamber of Commerce

Maryland Hotel, Motel & Resort AssociationMassachusetts Chapter of ABCMassachusetts Restaurant AssociationMaterial Handling Equipment Distributors AssociationMEC-IEC of Dayton, OHMetals Service Center InstituteMetro Washington Chapter of ABCMetro West (MA) Chamber of CommerceMichigan Chamber of CommerceMichigan Manufacturers AssociationMichigan Restaurant AssociationMid Gulf Coast Chapter of ABCMid Tennessee Chapter of ABCMid-Oregon Chapter IECMid-South Chapter IECMidwest IECMinnesota Chapter of ABCMinnesota Restaurant AssociationMississippi Chapter of ABCMississippi Economic Development CouncilMississippi Hospitality and Restaurant AssociationMississippi Manufacturers AssociationMissouri Restaurant AssociationMonroe (LA) Chamber of CommerceMontana Chamber of CommerceMontana IECMontana Innkeepers AssociationMontana Restaurant AssociationMontgomery Area (AL) Chamber of CommerceMotor & Equipment Manufacturers AssociationMountain States Empoyers CouncilNashville IECNatchitoches Area (LA) Chamber of CommerceNational Alliance for Worker & Employer RightsNational Armored Car AssociationNational Association of Chemical Distributors
National Association of Home BuildersNational Association of ManufacturersNational Association of Sign Supply DistributorsNational Association of Wholesaler-DistributorsNational Council of Chain RestaurantsNational Federation of Independent BusinessNational Franchisee AssociationNational Grocers AssociationNational Lumber & Building Material Dealers AssociationNational Mining AssociationNational Paper Trade AssociationNational Petrochemical & Refiners AssociationNational Ready Mixed Concrete AssociationNational Restaurant AssociationNational Retail FederationNational Roofing Contractors AssociationNational School Transportation AssociationNational Solid Wastes Management AssociationNational Stone, Sand & Gravel AssociationNational Tank Truck Carriers, Inc.National Taxpayers UnionNational Tooling & Machining AssociationNebraska Chamber of Commerce & IndustryNebraska Hotel & Motel AssociationNebraska Restaurant AssociationNevada Hotel & Lodging AssociationNevada Manufactures AssociationNevada Restaurant AssociationNew England IECNew Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant AssociationNew Hampshire/Vermont Chapter of ABCNew Jersey Business & Industry AssociationNew Jersey Chapter of ABCNew Jersey Hotel & Lodging AssociationNew Jersey IECNew Jersey Restaurant AssociationNew Mexico Chapter of ABCNew Mexico Lodging AssociationNew Mexico Restaurant AssociationNew Orleans/Bayou Chapter of ABCNew York State Hospitality & Tourism AssociationNew York State Restaurant AssociationNorth Alabama Chapter of ABCNorth Carolina Chamber of CommerceNorth Carolina Restaurant & Lodging AssociationNorth Dakota Chamber of CommerceNorth Dakota Hospitality AssociationNorth Florida Chapter of ABCNorth Las Vegas (NV) Chamber of CommerceNorth Palm Beach Chamber of CommerceNorth Texas Chapter of ABCNorthern Allegheny County Chamber of CommerceNorthern Kentucky Chamber of CommerceNorthern Michigan Chapter of ABCNorthern New Mexico IECNorthern Ohio Chapter of ABCNorthern Ohio Electrical Contractors AssociationNorthwest Pennsylvania IECNorthwest Washington IECOffice Products Wholesalers AssociationOffshore Marine Service AssociationOhio Chamber of CommerceOhio Hotel & Lodging AssociationOhio Restaurant AssociationOhio Valley Chapter of ABCOKC Inc IECOklahoma Chapter of ABCOklahoma Hotel & Lodging AssociationOklahoma Restaurant AssociationOklahoma State Chamber Optical Laboratories AssociationOregon IECOregon Lodging AssociationOregon Restaurant AssociationOwatonna Area (MN) Chamber of Commerce & TourismOxnard (CA) Chamber of CommerceOxnard Chamber of CommercePacific Northwest Chapter of ABCPacific Printing & Imaging AssociationPelican Chapter of ABCPennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.Pennsylvania Restaurant AssociationPennsylvania Tourism & Lodging AssociationPetroleum Equipment InstitutePlumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors AssociationPrecision Metalforming AssociationPrinting & Graphics Association MidAtlanticPrinting & Imaging Association Mountain StatesPrinting & Imaging Association of Georgia, Inc.Printing & Imaging Association of MidAmericaPrinting & Imaging Association of New York StatePrinting Association of Florida, Inc.Printing Industries Association Inc. “Serving Northern Kentucky and Ohio”Printing Industries Association of San DiegoPrinting Industries Association of Southern California, Inc.Printing Industries Association, Inc. of ArizonaPrinting Industries of AmericaPrinting Industries of Michigan, Inc.Printing Industries of New EnglandPrinting Industries of Northern CaliforniaPrinting Industries of St. LouisPrinting Industries of the Gulf CoastPrinting Industries of the Midlands, Inc.Printing Industries of UtahPrinting Industries of VirginiaPrinting Industries of WisconsinPrinting Industry Association of the South, Inc.Printing Industry of Illinois/Indiana Assn.Printing Industry of Minnesota, IncPrinting Industry of the Carolinas, Inc.Property Rights AlliancePublic Service Research CouncilPuget Sound Washington Chapter IECRedwood Empire Chapter IECRegional Legislative Alliance of Santa Barbara County (CA)Restaurant and Hospitality Association of IndianaRestaurant Association of MarylandRestaurant Association of Metropolitan WashingtonRetail Industry Leaders AssociationRhode Island Chapter of ABCRhode Island Hospitality and Tourism AssociationRio Grande Valley Chapter of IEC IncRocky Mountain Chapter of ABCRocky Mountain IECRogers-Lowell Chamber of CommerceRuston-Lincoln (LA) Chamber of CommerceSacramento (CA) Metro Chamber of CommerceSaginaw Valley Chapter of ABCSan Antonio Chapter IECSan Diego Chapter of ABCSan Diego North (CA) Chamber of CommerceSan Diego North Chamber of CommerceSebago Lake Region (ME) Chamber of CommerceSierra Nevada Chapter of ABCSociety of Human Resource ManagementSociety of the Plastics Industry (The)South Carolina Chamber of CommerceSouth Florida Chapter Inc IECSouth Dakota Retailers AssociationSouth Texas Chapter of ABCSoutheast Missouri IECSoutheast Pennsylvania Chapter of ABCSoutheast Texas Chapter of ABCSoutheastern Michigan Chapter of ABCSouthern Arizona IECSouthern California Chapter of ABCSouthern California IECSouthern Colorado Chapter IECSouthern Indiana Chapter-Evansville IECSouthern New Mexico IECSt. Mary’s County (MD) Chamber of CommerceStaten Island (NY) Chamber of CommerceStuart-Martin County (FL) Chamber of CommerceTaxpayers League of MinnesotaTennessee Hospital AssociationTennessee Hotel & Lodging AssociationTennessee Restaurant AssociationTexas Coastal Bend Chapter of ABCTexas Gulf Coast Chapter IECTexas Gulf Coast Chapter of ABCTexas Hotel & Lodging AssociationTexas Mid-Coast Chapter of ABCTexas Panhandle IECTexas Restaurant AssociationTexas State IECTexas Warehouse AssociationTexoma IECTextile Care Allied Trades AssociationThe Chamber of Commerce of Southwest IndianaThe Real Estate RoundtableTooling & Manufacturing AssociationTreasure State IECTri-State IECTucson Metropolitan Chamber of CommerceU.S. Chamber of CommerceU.S. Hispanic Chamber of CommerceU.S. Human Recourses and Ethics ServicesUniform and Textile Service AssociationUnited Chambers of Commerce-SFV & RegionUnited Motorcoach AssociationUtah Chapter of ABCUtah Hotel & Lodging AssociationUtah IECUtah Restaurant AssociationVentura Chapter IECVermont Hospitality CouncilVirginia Chamber of CommerceVirginia Chapter of ABCVirginia Hospital and Travel AssociationVisalia (CA) Chamber of CommerceWashington IECWashington Restaurant AssociationWashington State Hotel & Lodging AssociationWECA IECWest Chamber Serving Jefferson County (CO)West Suburban (IL) Chamber of Commerce & IndustryWest Tennessee Chapter of ABCWest Texas IECWest Virginia Chapter of ABCWest Virginia Hospitality & Travel AssociationWestern Carolina IndustriesWestern Colorado Chapter of ABCWestern Colorado IECWestern Michigan Chapter of ABCWestern Pennsylvania Chapter of ABCWestern Reserve Chapter IECWestern Washington Chapter of ABCWholesale Florist & Florist Supplier AssociationWichita Chapter IECWisconsin Chapter of ABCWisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce AssociationWisconsin Restaurant AssociationWyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association

Sad Day For Captain Wresh's Family

Captain Wresh lost his son Nicholas in a car accident on Wednesday. I can think of no loss worse then that of losing a child. My heart goes out to the Wresh family.

Mass of Christian Burial 10 AM Saturday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 9100 93rd Ave. No. Interment Morningside Memorial Gardens. Visitation 4-8 PM Friday at the Evans-Nordby Funeral Home, 34 Second St. NE, Osseo, MN. Prayer Service 7:30 PM Friday. Reviewal at church after 9 AM Saturday. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. Evans-Nordby 763-424-4000

Isanti County Sheriff to Honor Detention Deputy Cooper!

The Isanti County News is reporting that our own Detention Deputy Cooper will be honored for saving a mans life at the Pine Brook Inn by opening his airway after he stopped breathing. The article also states Cooper, by profession, is a corrections deputy for Hennepin County. He is also a world champion dog trainer, specializing in areas from companion dogs, search and rescue dogs, drug dogs, hunting dogs, guard dogs, seeing eye dogs and the list goes on.

Add to that list hero!

Pictured: Cooper and Pine Brook Inn owner Teresa (Photo by Jon Tatting) taken from the Isanti County News.

United Steel Workers Win Against China!

Unions are more then just someone to "take your dues." They fight for your livelihood. The United Steelworkers just won an unfair dumping suit against China which will result in tariffs ranging from 99 percent to 701 percent will be imposed on Chinese imports of circular welded pipe. (Star Tribune)

Leo W. Gerard, USW International President, declared, “We lost 500 good middle class jobs in this industry at a time of strong economic expansion and demand for these products. Our union has lost tens of thousands of jobs from other unfairly traded China imports, and we have pledged to work with unionized companies for strong enforcement of U.S. trade laws to stop illegal Chinese trade practices. We need to regain lost manufacturing jobs, and to reduce our massive trade deficit with China.”

Read the Press Release

Solidarity!

Correctional Medal of Honor

You've probably seen this poster hanging up in the jail and in the email from our training sergeant (hats off to him!). You can read more about the Correctional Medal of Honor by clicking here: http://www.cointel.net/valor.htm

Besides the recognition our profession deserves there are some other facts often overlooked by our fellow law enforcement professionals on this poster:

-A Correctional Officer's 58th birthday, on average, is his or her last

-Correctional Officers have the second highest mortality rate of any occupation

-33,000 inmate assaults per year, 90 assaults per day, 3.7 per hour

-Average 9 deaths per year

-Gangs: There are over 1600 identified security groups in our prisons and jails

-AIDS/HIV: There are over 6027 confirmed AIDS cases; 23,046 inmates are HIV positive

-300,000 inmates, 20% of the population, are reported to be "seriously" mentally ill

The poster also ends with a phrase you've seen on our blog and website:

CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS

"WALK THE NATION'S TOUGHEST BEATS"

My Last RNC Post-Really

This will be my last post regarding the No RNC/Anarchists folks. My point has been that they are very well organized and I want our members to be aware of some of their plans. One final thought, as you read in my previous post, A Precursor to the RNC? they have lawyers waiting to protect their rights (and they do have rights)also, it's a good day to be a full Teamsters member because you too are protected by Team Legal lawyers as part of your dues.

Here's a last few excerpts from Info Shop News:

HOTELS

The RNC Welcoming Committee has identified and publicized the hotels for the 56 Republican delegations that will participate in the theatrics of the McCain coronation as well as the host hotel for the Republican National Committee: the Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. "By announcing the hotels, we hope people will enjoy interacting and meeting the delegates as they arrive to the party," exclaimed Ray Gunsded of partner group Unconventional Action-Midwest as he announced the Adopt-A-Delegate program to greet delegates that begins on Sunday, August 31.

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation Management Services (TMS) is developing the "GOP Express," a system of more than 300 buses that will transport credentialed guests and media to and from official hotels and the Xcel Energy Center. The Welcoming Committee is committed to keeping up to date on this plan, releasing information as it becomes available.

"Visitors can expect hundreds of bicycles to be available for use over the week that they may stay in the Twin Cities", said Carl Esss, of Dumpstered Bikes LLC, the Official Transportation Provider of the RNC Welcoming Committee, "but should bring their own bikes if they can, so we can have as many available as possible."

SWARM OFF

Created to facilitate the the thousands of people needed to Crash The Convention, the 2008 SwarmOff! has 3 simple components: Swarm, Seize, Stay:
• Move into/around Downtown St. Paul via *Swarms* of varying sizes, from multiple directions, and with diverse tactical intentions.
• *Seize* space through both hard (e.g., lockboxes) and soft (e.g.,congestion), as well as both fixed and mobile, blockading methods.
• *Stay* engaged with the situation in downtown St. Paul as long as possible - move from location to location, but don't jump ship and bear in mind the ultimate goal of denying access to as many people entering the Xcel Energy Center as possible.

Some planned SwarmOff! events include a Dance Contest, Group Bike Riding, and Foot Races.

Enjoy, and as always read the full article for the big picture!

A Precursor to the RNC?

St. Paul police said Thursday that they will apologize to an antiwar organizer who was detained Tuesday outside the Obama campaign rally at the Xcel Energy Center for handing out leaflets promoting a Sept. 1 march on the Republican National Convention.

The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota said the arrest of Mick Kelly, 50, of Minneapolis, does not augur well for the way authorities will treat protesters during the convention.

"We're concerned the police so quickly violated Mick Kelly's First Amendment rights," Charles Samuelson said.

Full Story: Star Tribune

What are the anarchist saying about our tactics?

The following exerpts are taken from Info Shop News. I'd recommend reading the whole article and related comments:

"While anarchists are organizing for the conventions, what’s going on in boardrooms and at police trainings? What strategies can we expect the authorities to apply at the conventions, and what factors may tie their hands?

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul have liberal governments that need to come across as supportive of law-abiding protesters; in this regard, healthy relations between anarchists and other antiwar organizers constitute a real challenge for them. Officials have emphasized that the police will be civil—not starting in riot gear; that there will be no “free speech zones”—demonstrators will be allowed “within sight and sound” of the Excel Center hosting the RNC; and that the police strategy will not resemble the brutal “Miami model” applied at the 2003 FTAA protests, but rather will establish a new “St. Paul model.” It’s also worth pointing out that St. Paul will be fielding about 3000 police, compared to the tens of thousands on duty in New York City during the 2004 RNC.

All this could change overnight if the powers that be saw a significant threat to their ascendancy; but it suggests that compelling the police to use force at the conventions this summer would be a coup, in that it would frame them as aggressors in a time when they are trying to dispel that image. Rumor has it that the St. Paul police are consulting European police forces for tips on how to control crowds via containment rather than brute force. We should strategize accordingly. "

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

What is their main strategy? Blockading!

RNC Preparation May 24 - 25

Saturday, May 24th
10AM - breakfast
11AM - Security Culture Overview
11:30 - Know Your Rights
1PM - Legal Observer Training by Massachusetts National Lawyers Guild
2PM - Lunch
3PM - Police Tactics and Chemical Weapons [and how to prepare!]
4:30 - Street Tactics, specialized for blockade strategy/RNC
6PM - What We Mean by 'Revolutionary Discipline' or RevDisc
Stick around afterwards for an electronic security workshop!

Sunday, May 25th is a day of medical training, preparing attendees to be affinity group medics. Highly trained street medics are great to have around, but they might not always be in proximity to your affinity group...

Additionally, because Boston ABC is concerned about the large numberof comrades that will surely be swept up by the police in the Twin Cities [5,000 arrests have been threatened against 'anarchists and knuckleheads'], we ask nicely that people bring a sliding scale donation of $5-10+ to go toward the Anarchist Black Cross Network's RNC Legal Defense Fund [to defend the comrades, not the Republicans].

Brought to you by the Boston Anarchist Black Cross, part of the NorthEast Anarchist Network and the Anarchist Black Cross Network.Up the Network!

Oh, did you think this was our prep? No this is THEIRS!!

Source: Info Shop News

Minneapolis wants new deal for prisoner jail fees

The Star Tribune is reporting that, Minneapolis wants new deal for prisoner jail fees.

How exorbitant are these fees? The county now charges a $75 processing fee for prisoners booked at the jail, plus an hourly fee for time in jail that amounts to $103.44 per day.

Well, before the City cries too much in it's beer lets look at how the MPD does business. Years ago the jail had a "city side" run by the MPD and a "county side" run by us. The city thought it too costly to run a lock-up so we took over their "side" for a fee. Over the years MPD has bitched about the booking fees and has even from time to time opened a booking unit of their own to book and release low level offenders. They always close it. Apparently it is still more cost effective for us to book their misdemeanors then them.

I have a couple of suggestions on how the city can reduce it's jail fees.

1. Rather then keeping all PC's for 36 hours, RPC non-violent ones. This will save them the $103.44 per day housing fee. (How many of these get released 36 hours expired anyways?)

2. Write more citations for misdemeanors rather then booking them.

3. We go back to releasing all non-violent misdemeanors NBR.

I suspect this will not sit well with them though. Part of their overall plan is neighborhood livability. They pick up a neighborhood nuisance, drop him off at the jail on Friday and he sits all weekend unable to raise his $50 bail. The neighborhood gets rid of a nuisance and the MPD is happy as well. So apparently the city wants these guys off of the street, they just don't want to pay for it.

Hey Minneapolis, there are no free rides.

Monroe County Corrections Officers Fight for Safety in the Workplace

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Mike Scott(305) 642-6255

Workers File for Impasse with PERC Following Six Months of Negotiations
May 6, 2008

(Miami, FL) – Representatives of Teamsters Local 769 in Miami, Florida filed for impasse today with the Florida Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) on behalf of nearly 100 Monroe County corrections officers after six months of unsuccessful negotiations.

The union and sheriff’s department began negotiations in November 2007 after PERC certified Local 769 as the unit’s bargaining representative in September of that year. The two sides have been unable to reach an agreement because of unreasonable staffing changes and cuts proposed by the sheriff’s appointed bargaining committee.

“These corrections officers work in an environment that is inherently dangerous,” said Mike Scott, President of Teamsters Local 769. “But instead of taking steps to improve safety in the facility, the sheriff’s department is making ill-advised demands that could compromise the precautions already in place.”

These demands include cutting staffing in the most dangerous block of the Monroe County Jail called the ‘Alpha Unit’, an area that houses violent offenders including murderers and rapists. The sheriff’s committee has also demanded that a key position in the control center of the jail be manned by cheaper, less experienced civilian personnel rather than a certified corrections officer.

“We have made multiple proposals designed to offset any costs associated with keeping these positions as they stand, but the committee refuses to even consider them,” Scott said. “Ensuring the safety of these workers is our primary concern. Frankly, it’s disconcerting that the sheriff’s department doesn’t share our concern.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Critical Incidents

In our profession things can happen in a split second.
What is a critical incident? Some examples are:

-An assault on staff or an inmate
-Use of Force
-Suicide
-Homicide
-Hostage situation

What should you do after a critical incident?

1) Tend to any medical injuries. Even if your injury seems minor at the time fill out an I.O.D. (Injury On Duty) report and have it looked at. What seems OK now might not be tomorrow when the adrenaline is off.

2) Call a steward.

3) BEFORE making any statements to detectives or investigators call the MNPEA Legal Defense Line at 651 287-8883

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

Steward Wade Laszlo- 763 807-6668

MNPEA Legal Defense 651 287-8883

Business Agent Mike Golen 612 817-6042

Steward Election Results

Here's the results of your votes:

Detention Deputy Stewards:

Wade Laszlo-Chief Steward (763) 323-4610
Phil Miles
Ted Westerdahl
Mike Nielsen
Jodie Hannig
Chris Douglas

Detention Tech Steward:Tony Bennett

Teamsters 320 Business Agent:
Tom Perkins

Stewards are on the front line every day, working directly with members to make sure contracts are enforced, workers' rights are not being violated, and the workplace is a safe place to be. You are the face of the union, and your role as communicator is critical to solidarity and membership participation. (Teamsters IBT)

Correctional Officer’s / Detention Deputies Week Resolution

On April 8th, I had the honor of attending the Hennepin County Board Meeting along with Inspector Cooper, Captain Wresh and Captain D. Johnson as the Board passed the Correctional Officer’s / Detention Deputies Week resolution. The board members had many good things to say about us during the discussion period like, "You don't appreciate what we have until you see other jails around the country. It's because of the quality of our employees, the professionalism of the staff."

Most all of our work takes place out of sight of the public. Our work is as vital to public safety as that of the police and fire departments, the main difference being that we are out of sight and often out of mind.

On behalf of our Detention Deputies, Thank You County Board for your recognition.

The following Resolution was offered by Chairman Randy Johnson:

BE IT RESOLVED, that one week each May is officially designated as Correctional Officer’s / Detention Deputies Week by the American Jail Association. This year, Correctional Officer’s / Detention Deputies Week is May 4-10, 2008; and

WHEREAS, Community Corrections and the Sheriff’s Office supports the proposition that the men and women who perform the difficult task of supervising the County’s inmates deserve this recognition; and

WHEREAS, the Community Corrections and Sheriff’s Office recognizes that corrections and detention staff are professionals equal in status and importance to other professionals in the effective administration of justice;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, do hereby acknowledge the week of May 4-10, 2008 as “Correctional Officer’s / Detention Deputies Week” in Hennepin County in honor of the dedicated professionals who supervise the County’s inmate population.

Veteran's GI Bill OJT Meeting Date Set

Click on the picture to enlarge.

A meeting has been set for March 27th, 2008 with the Department of Labor and Industry, the VA's Field Representative for the State Approving Agency for the OJT Program and the Sheriff's Administration.

Hopefully the issue can be resolved and the OJT benefits restored to our vets.