THIS IS AN OFFICIAL NEWS SITE FOR CURRENT AND RETIRED CORRECTIONS OFFICERS! This blog will keep up on current events affecting Detention Deputies and Corrections Officers. SINCE 2006!
PERA has announced the 2022 COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment).
General Plan: 1.5%
Police & Fire Plan: 1.0%
Correctional Plan: 2.5%
Sadly inflation is still outrunning the COLA's. Inflation is currently at 5.4%!
The next 911 Dispatch Pension Workgroup is scheduled for November 9th.
By then more surveys should be in from various groups. No agenda is out yet for that meeting.
I did run across an interesting Minnesota Policy regarding Pensions. Under Minnesota Statutes 353.63.
There's now the Minnesota Correctional Officer Retirement association for PERA Correctional Plan members.
It's about time! With all of the scheming to weaken our pension this is overdue.
I joined, I encourage all of you to join. It's dues free.
Here's the website: MNCORA.ORG
To join email MNCORA@protonmail.com
September 911 Dispatcher Pension Workgroup Update:
The meeting started out with numerous presentations on how busy 911 dispatchers are.
The Statewide Director of Communications from the State Patrol brought up that their dispatchers are now trained on how to give medical advice over the phone, I’m assuming CPR, prior they didn’t do that. He shared the story of a car crash call where a dispatcher gave that help to a person on the scene over the phone and how it ended well.
I pointed out that is the difference between Dispatchers and CO’s. They give advice over the phone, CO’s are required to perform CPR and get exposed to blood and body fluids from inmates. We have physical contact they do not.
The Executive Director of the LCPR, stated they are still waiting for more surveys to come in (we should have by next meeting). From what she saw most wanted to be in the PERA Correctional plan for the 1.9% payout and the 55 retirement. They are still waiting on many surveys from Cities, Counties, Unions and employers regarding their positions.
The Communications Lieutenant from Itasca County asked how CO’s got the Correctional Plan. I told them I was there at the early meetings in the late 90’s. Multiple Unions came together. We were opposed by Police and Fire, especially the MPPOA. We hired lobbyist Bob Johnson and were able to document higher injury and workers comp rates than even Police and Fire. It was based on inmate contact. If a CO blows a knee, they can’t work. If a dispatcher does, they can still sit at a desk.
Because the dispatchers want to go from a 1.7 payout in the General Plan to 1.9 in the Correctional I brought up the fact ours hasn’t been improved since its inception. We were told by the legislature back then, “you have your pension don’t come back. “ I put Doug Anderson of PERA and the Executive Director of the LCPR on notice. That if they want to add dispatch to our pension we will push for equity with the State Correctional Plan of a 2.2% payout.
The main direction appears to be adding them with credit for their years of service, something I pointed out we never had. I lost 9 years from the PERA General Plan when we switched. No CO working at the time had credit transferred into the Correctional Plan. A CO is 50% vested at 5 years and fully vested at 10. We had to wait to get vested.
They want full vesting at 5 years.
Doug Anderson Executive Director of PERA made a presentation showing it will cost, estimated on his calculations, $79 million to add them to our plan! He said to be exact there would have to be an official actuarial study. It could be as high as $90 million! The Executive Director of the LCPR, stated the State had not provided money for an actuarial study! So at this point there is no exact number for the cost to our pension or where that money would come from. And disability numbers were not included which would raise the numbers even higher.
*There were several actuarial studies done when creating the PERA Correctional Plan.
I gave them a final point to ponder. If they get the 55 retirement in our plan what about the gap between 55 and 65 for their health insurance? They said they didn’t want to open that can of worms. Their employers might not want to either. There’s nothing requiring them to continue covering them.
We don’t meet again until November.
I was in the Iron Range at a family emergency and missed the meeting. I was able to obtain a video of it.
These are my observations:
The Committee chair and most of the work group refer to inmates we work with as 'clients.' It seems a ploy to diminish the danger in the corrections field.
This is the agenda for this Friday, I will be in attendance.
Here's the link also, there's a place you can request to attend if you want.
The Star Tribune is Reporting that Hennepin, Ramsey Counties to mandate Covid-19 Vaccine for employees.
This is a contentious mandate.
The article states that Hennepin County's Unions are in discussion with the County.
I hope so, things to consider:
What are the long term effects of these non-FDA approved vaccines?
In addition to common side effects, there are more serious ones and even reports of blood clots and myocarditas.
If an employee mandated to get the shot has side effects who covers the time off needed to recover?
If there are lifelong health problems, stroke, damage to the heart among others, is the Employer prepared to pay long term disability? If an employee dies as a result is the Employer going to compensate surviving family?
Will the Employer consider the many employees who have had Covid 19? Many of the Detention Deputies in the Jail and Workhouse CO's have had it and have immunity. There are studies that show natural immunity is more effective then the jab and possibly getting the vaccine after having Covid-19 can be harmful.
Also consider the Vaccine is not a Condition of Employment in the current Contract and must be negotiated!
The Employer must also consider religious exceptions.
It's been difficult for Employers to hire Detection Deputies and CO's at the Workhouse as well as Licensed Deputies especially in this anti-law enforcement environment. Is the Employer willing to lose good hires who won't apply because of the vaccine mandate? Are they prepared for Detention Deputies/CO's to leave rather than comply?
To further complicate the matter it is now known that the vaccinated can get and spread Covid-19!
This author is of the opinion medical decisions are best between a patient and a doctor. An Employer is on solid ground making a recommendation, even offering the Vaccination, but a mandate is stepping onto dangerous legal and moral ground.
Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has mandated that.
"state correction institutions would be required to be fully vaccinated by September 7, 2021, or be required to submit to COVID-19 testing. New employees would be required to be vaccinated prior to employment in these facilities."
Of note the PSCOA says 3,700 CO's have been infected with the Corona Virus!
The PSCOA responded:
John Eckenrode, President Hank McNair, Executive
Vice President Aaron King, Vice President Mark Truszkowski, Vice President jeckenrode@pscoa.org hmcnair@pscoa.org
aking@pscoa.org mtruszkowski@pscoa.org
Raymond Johnston,
Secretary/Treasurer rjohnston@pscoa.org 2421 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17110-1110 (717) 364-1700 Phone (717) 364-1705 Fax Patrolling the Toughest Blocks in
the State WWW.PSCOA.ORG PENNSYLVANIA STATE CORRECTIONS OFFICERS ASSOCIATION
Aug. 12, 2021
Hon. Tom Wolf, Governor
Office of the
Governor
508 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Dear Gov.
Wolf:
Since the
beginning of the pandemic, Corrections employees have gone to work every day in
horrible conditions. They have worked excruciatingly long hours and weeks
without days off. Throughout this pandemic, they have maintained a level of dedication
and professionalism. Your decision this week to mandate vaccinations and/or
testing is a slap in the face – and, frankly, way too late because thousands of
our members already have been infected, due to your inaction.
We have always believed receiving the COVID-19 vaccine should be a choice for all Americans, but Corrections employees who want it should be prioritized, given our work conditions. In January, PSCOA called on Acting Department of Health Secretary Alison Beam to prioritize COVID-19 vaccinations of Corrections employees.
Instead,
smokers were given priority.
A study done
in February in Nature used antibody screenings from California and found seven
times as many cases as those that were confirmed. (Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-82662-x)
As for masking, our members are required to wear them, but inmates are not. In fact, the current policy concerning inmate masking states, “No force or misconduct should be issued to enforce compliance.” Once again, this does not in any way improve safety in congregate settings.
For months,
our reasonable requests have fallen on deaf ears. Pennsylvania’s Corrections employees
deserve better.
Sincerely,
John Eckenrode,
President
PSCOA
cc: Pennsylvania General
Assembly
Introductions were made among the members and myself as advisor.
Chad Burkitt laid out expectations, of concern is that there is an expectation to consider adding Telecommunicators to the Correction Plan because Senator Bingham had that in the original Bill. It doesn’t have to be recommended but it’s expected to be discussed.
He said that’s why there’s Corrections people on the committee.
The vote was taken among the Committee (I am just an advisor) and they elected Dar Pankoine as Chair. She’s from Washington County and with APCO a Dispatch organization. She immediately took over as chair.
Pera Executive Director Doug Anderson made PERA's Presentation.
Erin Leonard Executive Director of MSRS (State Retirement) made their presentation.
I pointed out a couple of things. The PERA General fund of which the Dispatchers are currently in has $22.63 Billion, yes Billion in Assets, the PERA Correctional Plan has only $787.32 Million. Wouldn’t their current plan be better able to absorb an increase in their Pension?
Couldn’t moving the 911 Dispatchers into our Pension cause our Plan to go below 80% funding (we are at 100% according to Doug) and reduce our COLA
(Cost of living adjustment) from max of 2.5% to 1 to 1.5% permanently?
This of course would be determined by the legislature if it gets that far.
At the end I pointed out the PERA Correctional Plan requires 95% inmate contact and the State Correctional MSRS Plan 75%. I asked Dar (the chair) If any dispatchers at Washington County had 95% inmate contact. She said no they’re separated. I then asked how many Washington County Dispatchers had been assaulted. She said that wasn’t a fair question. I reiterated that our plan is based on 95% inmate contact and the physical dangers inherent with that. She said we could discuss that later as well as the additional stress the dispatchers have.
This is the Agenda for the first meeting on 7/30/21
Agenda 07.30.21 911 Work Group.docx
911 Telecommunicators Pension Benefit Working Group
Friday, July 30, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
1st Meeting
Remote Meeting via Zoom
AGENDA
1. INTRODUCTIONS
• Chad Burkitt, Analyst, Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement
− List of Member, Advisors, and Other Attendees
2. OVERVIEW
• Chad Burkitt
− 2021 session law directing the formation of the working group
(Laws 2021, Chapter 22, Article 9, Section 1)
3. ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE WORKING GROUP
• Chad Burkitt
4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON PENSION BENEFITS FOR 911 TELECOMMUNICATORS
a. Legislative History and 2003 Report
• Chad Burkitt
− Mandated Study of Retirement Coverage for Emergency Dispatchers, February 28, 2003
b. Overview of 911 telecommunications in MN
• Darlene Pankonie, ENP | 9-1-1 Communications Division Manager, Washington County Sheriff’s Office
− PSAP TRACKING_PENSIONS_06.15.2021
c. Pension plan overview
• Doug Anderson, Executive Director, Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
• Erin Leonard, Executive Director, Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS)
5. SCHEDULING UPCOMING MEETINGS
• Chad Burkitt
6. ADJOURNMENT
This is a Public Meeting. To attend via zoom click HERE
Meeting begins at 10AM
If you've been following along you know there's a 911 Telecommunicators Working group going on at the State Level.
I applied to be the member representing the PERA Correctional plan, but another person was chosen by PERA.
I then contacted the Executive Director of the LPCR (Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement) in the hopes of being added by them. They did not add me to the Workgroup but they agreed to put me on as an advisor. I can make our concerns known as a PERA Correctional Plan Member and Retiree and be a resource for the Committee.
The First meeting is Friday July 30, I will attend and update all of you.
Many of you are already members of our E-Tree open to PERA Correctional Plan members and Retirees and can read more in depth what's happening there.
If you are not email pera.watchdog@gmail.com Type ADD ME in the subject line. Include who you are and where you work or retired from.
Watch this site for a big announcement either this Friday or Monday.
MCCORMICK — An officer at a maximum-security correctional prison was sexually assaulted by an inmate on July 23, authorities said.
The assault happened at McCormick Correctional Institution when an officer was getting ready to leave work in the late afternoon, Chrysti Shain, S.C. Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said in a press release.
“An inmate who worked in the area grabbed her, forced her back into her office and sexually assaulted her twice,” Shain wrote. The officer is being treated at a local hospital.
Joseph Gomm was murdered in his capacity as a Correctional Officer at Stillwater Prison MCF. Beat to death with a hammer while other inmates held the doors to keep help out.
After 3 years Minnesota Lawmakers failed to approve a $3 million settlement. Contrast that with the $27 million paid to George Floyd's family!
Now the family is suing MINNCOR industries for $50,000. According to the Star Tribune MINNCOR had a long record of prioritizing production over Corrections Officers rights. There were no security cameras in the shop area and it was understaffed.
This is a dark stain of injustice on the State of Minnesota.
It's been a couple of years since the tragic murder of Joseph Gomm, a Correctional Officer at Stillwater Prison. Brutally beat to death with a hammer by an inmate and the State has yet to settle with his family.
KSTP just released this video and story. It speaks for itself.
If you've been following this blog you know there is a Bill out there attempting to add 911 Dispatchers to the PERA Correctional plan, which would have very negative consequences for the Correctional Plan.
There is now another Bill SF 2485 to form a committee to 'study' adding Dispatchers to our pension. The MPPOA even wrote a letter supporting adding dispatchers to our pension. Two points, first off Dispatchers have a very important and grueling job, this is not a knock on them. Secondly, our pension is based on 95% inmate contact and our exposure to physical violence, disease and sometimes death. Dispatchers have no inmate contact.
The MPPOA decided to take me to task on Facebook.
Point one, it is a study to see if they should be added to our plan! Here's the Executive Director of PERA discussing the Bill at the May 13th meeting which I attended on-line. Here'a 48 second excerpt of exactly what the 'study' is.
So we see it is a study to possibly add 911 Dispatchers to our group and calls for the formation of a Committee. The Committee will include, among many, the PERA Director and someone from the Correctional plan chosen fortunately by PERA.
Point two, in their Facebook post the MPPOA says, "MPPOA WILL ALWAYS Look out for our Correctional members." I didn't know the MPPOA has any FULL, voting Correctional members. Their own Membership Information page on the MPPOA website makes it clear you must be a Law Enforcement Officer with a license issued by the POST Board to be a full member!. In Minnesota Correctional Officers are not licensed!
All of the MPPOA's members are in the Police and Fire Plan. Would Brian Peters support adding dispatchers to theirs? Why not?
In reality, the 911 Dispatchers deserve a good plan, but the Correctional Plan is not the place. They do not meet inmate contact criteria among many other reasons.
SF2198 now has a companion Bill in the House, HF2585.
In this Bill it reads:
But wait, There's more! There's now another Bill SF2485 that creates a working group to "Consider changes to the pension benefits of 911 telecommuniuncators." This working group has everyone on it BUT someone in the PERA Correctional plan! Read the list HERE.
And most puzzling of all is a letter from the MPPOA signed by Brian Peters throwing their full support for this Bill that will decimate our Pension! This is the SAME MPPOA that fought against our Correctional Plan when we were forming it, and was very vocal about not wanting us in their Police and Fire Plan.
In this 'woke age of equity' one has to ask why Corrections Officers were NOT allowed to transfer their credit from the General Plan to the Correctional Plan when we moved over, but it is proposed that 911 Telecommunicators can transfer theirs over. We had to work years to be Vested, but 911 Telecommunicators will be able to drain, I mean draw from our pension at once. A new Detention Deputy/ Correctional officer has to work 5 years to be Vested!
Hey Brian Peters, how many 911 Telecommunicators were assaulted by inmates this year? Spit on? Had piss or shit thrown at them? Caught Covid from inmates they were locked in with? Were beat to death? Shanked? You're very generous with the Correctional Plan, how about suggesting they go into your Police and Fire Plan?
WATCH THIS BLOG FOR A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.
Reminder, off duty conduct can affect your employment.
The Star Tribune is reporting "Minnesota Correctional Officer on leave after confronting Black Live Matter Protesters with profanity; wife hurled racial slur."
Reading the article it documents that BLM protesters have been repeatedly protesting outside the home of the Washington County prosecutor in charge of the Potter case, attempting to intimidate him into changing his decision.
It appears the CO in question must be a neighbor who is irritated by their behavior. If it's anything like the protests in Hugo, MN with John Thompson and BLM last year, I see why neighbors are mad. Words were exchanged on a couple of occasions and allegedly his wife, not him, used a racial slur. He's now on leave from Stillwater MCF and his wife lost her job at a hair salon after they were doxed.
His employment record, yes it's public, is in the article, good and bad, and his picture, provided by the DOC. The article also points out he and a protester, a former inmate, recognized each other and hugged.
The long and short is this. If you are a public employee, you will be held to a higher standard, even if BLM is attempting to intimidate others who live in your neighborhood.
I attended the April 8th PERA Board meeting via zoom.
The subject of the Legislature adding 911 Dispatchers to our Correctional Pension was addressed, Senate Bill SF2198.
Here's the position adopted by the PERA Board.
Essentially, if the Legislators decide to add a group to our pension PERA is recommending they do one of two things.
One, an added group would start out as new to our pension and at contributions sufficient to fully fund the higher benefit.
Or
Two, the City or County of that group would have to pay an amount into our pension sufficient to fully fund that individual and not harm our actuarial value. So if a 55 year old dispatcher who worked for a county for 30 years was put into our pension, that county would have to add 30 years of contributions into our Correctional Plan. This would be extremely expensive for cities and counties budgets.
I had a very productive phone conversation with PERA Executive Director Doug Anderson today. We both want to keep our pension healthy as it is the best funded of all the PERA pensions.
PERA has no say as to who is in the Pension, the Legislature does, so keep on your State Senators and Representatives, but PERA very much has a say in the how much this change would cost our plan.
So far no companion House File has been added to this Bill. It can't happen without that. I hope it stays that way.
Our Pension was founded on inmate contact and the high risk associated with that. We need to guard this!
There's a bill in the Minnesota Senate that poses a danger to the PERA Correctional Pension.
Our pension is the healthiest and best funded of all of the PERA Pensions. This was by design. When formed in 1999 it was for Correctional/Detention Officers who had 95% inmate contact. It recognized the danger and hazards of the job. Just this week a CO was killed in Iowa and another held hostage in Oklahoma. Numerous Detention Deputies and CO's have contracted Covid 19 due to close proximity to inmates and brought it home to their families. Unfortunately this goes with the territory and for that reason the PERA Correctional Plan provides a 55 out. I left 5 years ago at 57 because as I used to say, "I don't want to be 60 years old and wrestling with a 20 year old in the sallyport."
Enter SF 2198. It seeks to add 911 Telecommunicators to our pension.
It reads, "911 telecommunicators transfer from the general employees retirement plan to the local government correctional plan; transferring eligible service credit."
There is more to this than it appears. First off, they don't have inmate contact and the same dangers CO's have. Secondly, when our plan formed in 1999 we were not allowed to transfer our service credit from the PERA General Pension to the new Correctional one. Any funds we left in the General Plan we had to withdraw losing the employer portion, or couldn't touch until 65. The same goes for Licensed Deputies and LEO's who went from being a CO to Licensed. Their money doesn't follow them into the Police and Fire Pension.
The affect on our Correctional Pension will be massive. All of the 911 Dispatchers 55 or older can begin drawing on a pension they never paid into almost immediately. I hear as many as 10% of the 911 Dispatchers would be eligible! A pension predicated on the dangers of inmate contact, of which they have none. The result could lead to higher employee contributions and lower COLA's on those who paid in most of their careers.
This is not a slam on our hard working 911 Telecommunicators, but an attempt to avoid destroying our healthy pension.
Contact your State Senators and Representatives!
