It's Corrections Officers and Employees Week

BY LEE SAUNDERS  |  MAY 05, 2014

Corrections officers and employees have some of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Without them, our communities would be less safe and our prison system would be in jeopardy.

During National Corrections Officers and Employees Week, we remember the extraordinary services provided to us by our 85,000 sisters and brothers in AFSCME Corrections United and by officers and employees everywhere.

These women and men work hard in both maximum and minimum-security facilities, state prisons and county jails. “We will always honor the sacrifices corrections employees make on our behalf by standing with them in their struggle, which is also ours.

We will continue to oppose prison privatization and support our members’ calls for safety and dignity on the job, not only to ensure public safety, but also because it’s the right thing to do by our communities and our members.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The 2013 AFSCME Public Safety Congress was a tremendous success. It was inspiring to see hundreds of corrections officers and sworn law-enforcement personnel from across the country strategizing together, to strengthen our union for the fights ahead.

At the conference we also honored those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. To that end, AFSCME is donating $100,000 to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Be sure to check out news and photos from the Congress on our event page. It includes our latest AFSCME TV episode covering the Public Safety Congress, hosted by Patrick Moran, president of Maryland Council 3.

Thank you for everything you do, each and every day, to keep our communities safe.

In solidarity,

It’s National Police Week — a time to celebrate the law enforcement officers who put themselves in danger when duty calls, to protect our streets. And it’s a fitting time for lawmakers to commit themselves to adequately fund the grant programs that are critical to law enforcement.

Those programs include the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) and the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants that assist state and local law enforcement agencies in carrying out and updating their justice programs. AFSCME is urging its members and community allies to use the toll-free Public Safety hotline to contact their U.S representatives and senators. Simply dial 877-267-2485 and follow the instructions to be directly connected to the office of your member of Congress.

Such programs are vital to preventing the violence that claims the lives of too many officers each year. On average, one law enforcement officer dies in the line of duty in the United States every 53 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1971, more than 19,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice.

On Sunday, the 24th Annual Candlelight Vigil takes place at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.  The ceremony recognizes the hundreds of heroes killed in the line of duty and their names are added to the walls of the memorial. The National AFSCME Law Enforcement Board will be attending the ceremony.

“As we gather this week in our nation’s capital to pay honor and respect to our fallen brothers and sisters who have given the ultimate sacrifice, let us never forget that our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line each and every day to protect our nation and keep it strong,” said James Lyman, executive director of the New York State Law Enforcement Officers Union (Council 82). “God bless them and keep them safe.”

Among those risking their lives is William Beeler of the Manchester, Conn., police department (Local 1495, Council 15). Beeler suffered serious injuries last year while responding to a domestic violence call. Like the 125,000 public safety officers – including 30,000 police officers – represented by AFSCME, Beeler was not afraid to act in spite of the potential threat to his own life.

It is also a fitting time to welcome the law enforcement members now bolstering our ranks. Last month, AFSCME grew by 325 police officers in Greater Salt Lake City, Utah, after they voted to unionize. They are now represented by The Unified Police Federation/AFSCME Local 45, which has set the standard for quality representation for police officers in Utah.

Congress established National Police Week in 1962.

After a decisive election Tuesday, 325 police officers in Greater Salt Lake City, Utah, will now be represented by The Unified Police Federation/AFSCME Local 45 (Federation).

“Police officers work hard and risk our lives on a daily basis to keep our communities safe,” said Don Campbell, president of Unified Police Federation/AFSCME Local 45. “I’m proud that the officers of Greater Salt Lake City have chosen to stand strong, together, as part of AFSCME. Our jobs are tough. Our union is tougher.”

The Federation has set the standard for quality representation for police officers in Utah. Like AFSCME affiliates across the country, local control and a focus on members’ needs enables the Federation to improve the working conditions and defend the rights of the proud men and women who protect and serve their community. And national expertise, resources and solidarity help win and defend strong contracts, and provide officers a strong voice on the job.

“In my opinion, investing in the Federation is as important as health insurance and retirement planning,” said Detective Nate Clark, Officer of the Year and Gang Officer of the Year 2012.

The Federation is accountable, democratic, member-driven and locally led. By joining with AFSCME, the largest public employee labor union in the nation representing more than 100,000 public safety workers, Utah police officers gain the national resources, power and expertise to win progress.

Watch the video:  2011 AFSCME Public Safety Congress

"Hold your public officials accountable.  And it starts with organizing, organizing, organizing your co-workers to where they will support the union effort."  Texas State Senator John Whitmire/Chair, Texas Senate Criminal Justice Committee

AFSCME Police Officers Rally for Jobs Bill with Vice President Biden

To our law enforcement members -- your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.  Thanks for all you do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaecOBxDFl0&feature=player_embedded

 “You can’t afford not to…”