AFSCME LOCAL 2728

To: All Correctional Officers Unit 8

Subject:  Work Action

Diplomacy has failed with Central Office and D.O.E.R with respect to the shift exchange Article in our contract. I’ll try to explain how we got to this point and how important it is for all of us to take a stand against the employer.

     During the last round of negotiations the negotiators for the State tried to implement new guidelines in Article 5 Section 1d. The proposed guidelines were unacceptable and were turned down by the negotiators for the Union. I was one of the negotiators for the Union representing Unit 8. When both sides reached a tentative agreement and the contract was signed about a month passed.  D.O.E.R and Central Office implemented new guidelines for shift exchanges. These new guidelines were implemented outside of the collective bargaining agreement and seriously restricted shift exchanges for all Officers’ who use them.

       The Union filed a grievance against these new guidelines, which went to a step-4 arbitration that resulted in a very poor ruling by the Arbitrator. The State and Union split the payment for the Arbitration. The award left this issue unresolved.

       This unresolved issue couldn’t be left alone, it created dissention, and many wondering how the State can get away with this very poor implementation.

       The two negotiators for Unit 8 and Sid Helseth, Corrections field staff Council 5 made several attempts to resolve the issue. The State wouldn’t budge from there position.

        We decided to implement a work action against the employer, this decision wasn’t what we wanted to do but something we have to do. If we allow the employer to manipulate our negotiated contract language in this article what will they try to manipulate next.

     This isn’t irresponsible to ask all of you to stand with your coworkers through this entire work action from start to finish. I applaud the efforts I’ve seen so far and please stay in contact with your local Union leadership for updates and progression.

        Tim Henderson, President local 2728 MCF-Lino Lakes

                                   Chair Correctional Policy Committee

                                   Co-Chair Unit 8 negotiator