MCF-Lino Lakes

LABOR-MANAGEMENT MEETING MINUTES

November 21^st,  2007

Happy Turkey Day!

Union Members present: Tim Henderson, Darby Bunnell, Amy Score, Denise Pierre, Kris Ringgold, Mark Rozak, Shannon Crittenden, Mike West, and Sid Helseth

 

Management Members present: Warden Dave Crist, Captain Mark Freer, AWO Jo Earhart, Commissary Supervisor Dennis Hirsch, and HR Director Nancy Moore.

 

 

1.     Congratulations to the new Assistant Commissioner David Crist!

The Union presented the Warden with an AFSCME Local 2728 sweatshirt and hat. The Warden acknowledged and accepted the items and stated that he has enjoyed working with the Local representatives during his tenure at MCF-Lino Lakes.

2.       Welcome back Sid Helseth as our new Business Agent to replace Scott   

Grefe.

Sid was Local 2728’s Business Agent several years ago but now returns because of restructuring of the BA’s.

3.       Transportation staff utilized to transport released inmates instead of

Using taxi services (Tim)

Management will look into this further.

4.       Follow up: Watch Center sick call form (Tim)

Management agrees that the forms used need to be consistent across the department. It was suggested that the form currently being used at Lino Lakes should be used throughout the department. Labor agreed with this suggestion since the Lino Lakes form is clear, concise, and does not violate the employee’s privacy. Further discussion of this subject will occur at the DOC Labor Management Meeting.

 

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Labor-Management Meeting

November 21, 2007

 

5.  Christmas Eve added vacation slots/early outs (also on first          

     watch)? (Kris) 

Captain Freer will work with the Watch Commanders to add some more pre-approved vacation slots and as in the past, inmates will be locked down on Christmas Eve right after the evening meal (approximately 6-7 PM) and many staff will receive early outs at that time.

 6.   Follow up (from a long time ago) computer/printer for inmates to check

      their statements and accounts (Amy) 

Warden Crist stated that the idea of providing a computer/printer for offenders to check their statements and accounts was entertained awhile back but it was too expensive.  He will readdress the issue with IT and Finance Director Robin Sylvester to determine the feasibility of providing a dedicated computer for offenders.

7.   Property person on midnights to make the property standard and mistake-

     free.  Go from unit to unit and pack and move the property.  Will not fill

     behind this person and it will be the first "pulled" position (Mark) 

Captain Freer stated that it would be highly unlikely that this would occur.  He does not want staff to lose their offender property packing skills and there is too much property to be packed on midnights for just one person.

8.       New Dress Code policy (Denise)

Denise raised concerns on behalf of clerical and support staff regarding revised DOC Policy 103.221, Uniforms, Attire and Personal Hygiene. She stated that employees of state government were not a part of corporate America and should not be held to those standards of dress and attire. Of particular concern is the ban on “hooded sweatshirts”, t-shirts, and sneakers and tennis shoes. Many staff do not have direct contact with the public and thus how they dress is not important. Many employees cannot afford a new wardrobe.

Warden Crist stated that if (in the course of a work day) a staff member is likely to soil their clothes because of the tasks that they must perform (i.e. removing materials from dirty file cabinets, printing off offender statements, changing printer cartridges, etc.) then it would be acceptable for those staff to wear the appropriate clothes e.g. nice jeans with no rips or tears, shirts without lettering that cover the mid-drift, nice, newer shoes (not scuffed and full of holes).  

 

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Tim commented that he had concerns about the prohibition against “form-fitting” clothing as many women’s dress suits and pant suits are tailored and look very professional. He felt the same about, “…tops which allow cleavage to show.”  Does that mean the women can only wear turtle necks and button-up shirts to work?

Nancy reiterated that this is a department policy and it needs to be followed just like any other policy. There are procedures in place to submit questions about the policy or make suggestions for changing the policy. If employees have specific questions about the policy, i.e. is some form of attire appropriate or not, they should take their questions to their supervisor first.

9.       Rumor Control: Who is going to be Lino Lakes new Warden?

Warden Robert Feneis from MCF-Rush City will take over for Warden Crist.

 

Next Meeting:      Wednesday, January 16, 2008

                      1:00pm

                      Warden’s Conference Room

 

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Amy Score-Secretary

AFSCME Local 2728