National Corrections Officers Week |
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
 As ACU members who work in prisons and jails across the country keeping the public safe – you watch our backs. This week, National Correctional Officers’ and Employees’ Week, we want to let you know how proud we are to call you our sisters and brothers. We honor you for the work you do.
We stand with you as some politicians cut staffing, threaten your wages and benefits, refuse to provide needed safety equipment and privatize prisons to benefit corporate backers who put them in office in the first place.
Nationwide, private prisons undermine public safety, pose a threat to the lives of inmates, and are bad for the economy and community safety. Private facilities put profits before safe streets by hiring at rates barely above minimum wage, skimping on employee training, and eliminating staff positions and equipment critical to preventing escapes and violence in the facilities.
Across this country, AFSCME is fighting to keep public safety where it belongs – in the hands of professional and highly trained, dedicated public corrections officers. In Texas we’re driving efforts to shut down the Dawson State Jail , where several preventable deaths have taken place. In Ohio, we’re calling for the shutdown of the Lake Erie Correctional Institution, where conditions have rapidly deteriorated since it was sold to a private company in 2011. And we’re calling attention to the failings of for-profit prisons across the country.
We will always honor the sacrifices you make on behalf of your communities by standing with you in the struggle to keep them safe.
In solidarity,
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LEE SAUNDERS
President |
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LAURA REYES
Secretary-Treasurer |
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AFSCME Corrections Week May 6, 2012 |
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In observance of National Correctional Officers and Employees Week (May 6-12), we honor the tens of thousands of AFSCME members across the country who keep our communities safe by putting their lives on the line every day.
We are proud of the extraordinary service provided by the 62,000 corrections officers and 23,000 corrections employees represented by AFSCME Corrections United (ACU).
Yet, these officers continue to be used as scapegoats by corporate-backed politicians who undervalue the difficult and dangerous work they do. Governors in Florida, Louisiana, Michigan and Ohio have brazenly attempted to privatize prisons even as evidence mounts that this jeopardizes prison safety and doesn’t save money. Corrections officers know about the greater threat of injury or death within prisons operated by for-profit companies.
But our members are fighting back. In Florida, AFSCME scored a major victory when we overcame overwhelming odds to beat back a prison privatization bill. Working in partnership with members of AFSCME Council 79 and other labor unions, we defeated Senate Bill 2038, which would have led to the largest expansion of private prisons in American history.
We stalled a move by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and his allies to privatize a state prison.Working with a national coalition to fight prison privatization, our members flexed their muscles and raised a public outcry. We commend those courageous legislators, like Florida State Sen. Mike Fasano (a Republican), who oppose prison privatization because they value public safety more than the profit for private prison companies, which have engaged in pay-to-play politics.
During this week’s commemoration, we also pay homage to unsung heroes who continue to take risks and make ultimate sacrifices in the line of duty. One of our own, Sgt. Barbara Ester of Marianna, Ark., was simply doing her job when she was fatally stabbed to death early this year. Other members, like Michael Whitehead of Somers, Conn., saved a fellow officer’s life on the job.
“We will never forget the life-and-death struggles that define the vital service you provide,” Sec.-Treas. Lee Saunders said at last year’s Public Safety Congress. “Because we will never forget, we will continue the fight for the public safety officers on the job today.” Adds Pres. Gerald W. McEntee: “The courage and commitment shown by our members reflect what is best about our country.
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Prison Privatization is Bad Public Policy |
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“Prison industry puts profits before public safety”
Statement of AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee on Prison Privatization:
“Yesterday, The New York Times offered further evidence of what we have known for years: For-profit prisons often cost taxpayers more than the funding needed to run state prisons, even though the corporate prisons can cherry-pick the least costly inmates. Prison privatization is bad public policy because the prison industry puts profits before public safety. Prison privatization means high rates of violence, high staff turnover, lax security, and routine mismanagement. Too many politicians – including John Kasich in Ohio – are selling state prisons off – often in return for the corporate dollars that fund their campaigns. Kasich claims that privatization ‘provides better services at a lower price,’ yet the evidence clearly points in the other direction.
“Sweetheart deals are not a solution to the budget problems facing states. Instead, they create costs of their own. AFSCME documented the flow of money from the corporate prison industry to politicians who support prison privatization in our recent report, ‘Making A Killing: How Prison Corporations Are Profiting from Campaign Contributions and Putting Taxpayers at Risk.’ It is time to end this failed social experiment and provide public correction departments with the resources they need to run secure state prisons. Transferring millions of tax dollars to private companies is a waste of money and a proven mistake. Prison privatization doesn’t work. Taxpayers should not have to pay extra to line the pockets of the corporate CEOs who pay politicians to run them.”
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Authorization for Representation |
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Dear Salt Lake County Corrections Employee:
It has been a year since an election was held to determine if the employees in your bargaining unit would be represented by a union.
Since that time, AFSCME Local 1004 negotiated an agreement for the employees in the Trades Unit. AFSCME met with officials from the Mayor’s Office, Human Resources and various divisions within Trades. Our discussions occurred over a period of approximately two months. Despite negotiations starting late, we secured a number of items that the employees were satisfied with. They are:
* An increase in acting pay (county wide)
* An increase in days off for bereavement leave (county wide)
* An increase in military leave (county wide)
* An increase in standby and callback pay (county wide)
* A reduction in response time for grievances (county wide)
* Shift change notice of 5 days and callback pay for each day less
than the 5 day requirement (trades unit only)
* Snowfighter pay (trades unit only)
* Overtime rotation and reports to AFSCME (trades unit only)
* Full time employees to receive premium shifts (trades unit only)
In less than a year, AFSCME Local 1004 improved the working conditions of its members – we intend to go back to the table this summer and expand on the gains we have made.
We want you to be a part of this process. During these tough times it is more important than ever to be represented by an organization that has YOUR interests at heart. We have accomplished more than any other organization in the County in a very short period of time. Just think what we can accomplish together!
Authorization cards for representation are circulating now. Remember, these are simply cards asking for an election and they are time sensitive. We nearly prevailed last year – let’s get it right this year! You also have my promise that there will not be any house visits. The message from you was loud and clear.
If you have any questions, would like additional information or would like a card sent to you, please respond or contact me directly at 801-694-0192 or email me at patty_afscme@qwestoffice.net.
In solidarity,
AFSCME LOCAL 1004
Patty Rich, Executive Director
Download:
Authorizationcard.jpg
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Why We're Voting for AFSCME |
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WHY WE'RE VOTING FOR AFSCME
I'm voting for AFSCME because when we speak up on the job, often we're not heard. With Utah AFSCME Local 1004, we'll have a strong, powerful voice.
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Sherrie Peek, Jail Clerk
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I want to make sure my retirement and benefits are protected. AFSCME has won victories for workers like us across the country. I'm voting for AFSCME because I want a strong, experienced union standing with us.
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Colby Harris, Jail Nurse
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The 2.75% paycut really hurt my family. We need a strong union with experience negotiating good contracts to protect our pay and benefits from future cuts. That's why I'm voting for AFSCME Local 1004.
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Jason Power, Corrections Officer
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There's only one choice for me. It's about the big picture, and AFSCME has the big picture. If we stick together and unite with AFSCME, we're going to have the power to change things for the better.
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Chris Keller, Corrections Officer
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Download:
testimonial.pdf
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AFSCME COs Win Fight Against Privatization |
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Recently, Minnesota COs won a major victory against privatization forces. Unlike state- or locally-run facilities, private facilities don't have the same protections or transparencies that public corrections facilities do.
By organizing together, the COs were able to protect their jobs and high professional standards are maintained in our industry.
Minnesota COs Beat Privateers / AFSCME Works Magazine, Jan. 11, 2010
In a major victory in AFSCME's fight against privatization, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) - the nation's largest owner and operator of private prisons - will shut down its Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, MN on Feb. 1.
"This shutdown is a huge victory for us," says Eliot Seide, Council 5 executive director and an AFSCME International vice president. "We're pushing government to take responsibility for corrections, not pass the buck to private corporations that profit from prisons."
Adds Tim Henderson, a corrections officer and president of Local 2728, "We have been lobbying for a bill that will prevent our state from renting out its responsibilities. Our efforts are paying off. A growing number of legislators are now convinced that privateers shouldnt profit from prisons."
The Appleton facility housed fewer than 250 inmates last year, in part because Minnesota is placing more offenders in state-run facilities. Prisoners from the privately-owned 1,600-bed jail will be transferred to a public detention complex in Faribault.
Henderson, chairman of Council 5's Corrections Policy Committee, adds that the next step is to help elect a labor-friendly governor this year.
In 2009, AFSCME members successfully blocked an attempt to shut down the state's Moose Lake prison and transfer its inmates to Appleton. "We've been at war with the privateers and we won't stop until Minnesota places all of its inmates in state-run corrections facilities," Henderson asserts. "That is our mission."
In 2008, CCA siphoned off $1.46 billion from taxpayers across the nation on its way to earning record profits of $151 million. CCA holds 75,000 inmates at more than 65 facilities it owns or operates in 19 states.
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Public Safety Employees Fight to Protect Retirement |
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Public employees rally at state Capitol By Abigail Shaha Deseret News Published: Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 12:22 p.m. MST
SALT LAKE CITY At 2 and 1, Garrett and MaryAnn Keller were the youngest people at Wednesday's public workers rally at the state Capitol.
But their father, Chris Keller, said the children were the people legislators need to remember the most.
"It's not just my future; it's theirs at stake," said Keller, an employee at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail. "Eroding safety is eroding the future."
Keller was among two dozen public employees who attended the rally sponsored by the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees. Workers representing several sectors of public employees, from librarians to police officers, rallied in opposition of legislation that would cut employee benefits and retirement.
Two bills in particular, SB42 and SB94, would raise retirement eligibility by as much as five years and eliminate employer 401(k) contributions.
House Minority Leader David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, told the crowd he was hesitant to make any big decisions on the issues, especially retirement, this legislative session.
"I am convinced we don't need to rush into anything this session," Litvack said. "Let's not predetermine today what it's going to look like in 10 years."
Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley, told the crowd she empathized with them, having recently retired from Granite School District, but she encouraged them not to be single-issue voters.
"This is a battle," Mayne said. "It's not just today.
I want to see you up here every year."
During the rally, Litvack, Mayne and Rep. Jennifer Seelig, D-Salt Lake, signed an agreement to protect public services for state, county and municipal employees. All speakers encouraged public employees to write to their legislators, attend rallies and make their voices heard.
Seelig said those letters and visits will show legislators what the people really want.
"It's time to show them that in 3-D," she said.
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News from Puerto Rico |
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Correctional Officers in Puerto Rico Win $35 Million Settlement
BY PABLO ROS | APRIL 17, 2013
After years of struggle, ACU members achieved a big victory recently when Puerto Rico agreed to restore to them more than $35 million in unpaid overtime wages.
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Page Last Updated: May 16, 2013 (10:59:00)
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