Bret King Run-off Letter

Brothers and Sisters,

During the primary election for Executive Vice President of MCCDA last month, ninety-three of you cast votes for me and I would like you to know how humbled and encouraged I am by your confidence. You must know, the decision to run for this office is not one I entered into lightly. Having happily represented our members as a steward since 2011, I have known the time when a further commitment to our membership from me may become necessary. A stunning display of what I can only interpret as tone-deafness from other candidates and the E-board inspired a sense of responsibility to at least give our membership a fresh, more palatable option. I am truly honored to have your consideration.

Speaking with many of you in various locations has afforded me the opportunity to hear your concerns, ideas and frustrations as well as discuss options. I want you to know I have listened, and I am thankful you trusted me enough to share.

In my previous addresses to the membership, I acknowledged that staffing and the unimaginative, seemingly punitive solutions to the failures of the Sheriff’s Administration are the number one concern across the board. I am eager to act on our behalf in this regard. I was also made aware of the following notable concerns with respect to the conduct of our E-board and I’ve been able to verify their validity.

-The E-board failed to seek approval from the membership before establishing contingencies to address when an E-board member prematurely vacates office.

-The E-board appointed an interim board member previously rejected by vote of the membership without first seeking approval of the membership. This established the interim as an incumbent board member and unfairly influenced the upcoming election.

-The E-board failed to represent a member when the sheriff exercised prejudice against that member for their union involvement.

-E-board members view and selectively discuss vote results while elections are in progress, without making that information transparent to the membership.

-The E-board exercised rules for the election process with no supporting language in our constitution or bylaws and no approval from the membership.

-The E-board allowed the sheriff’s office to introduce language into a contract that failed to protect union represented positions, in direct violation of their constitutional duties.

These violations of trust not only fail to serve our members, but some flat-out ignore the members’ will. When I stated before that the E-board needs someone like me, this is why. While these issues have been ongoing and have not been corrected yet, they will be. It is a shame, and strangely coincidental that it will be after an election that is so vital to our membership. I look forward to working with the E-board and our members to get an amended version of our constitution approved by the membership, ensure we place the will and concerns of the membership above all else and earn back the trust you have every right to have lost. A strong constitution, the committee for which has already formed, is necessary to ensure The E-board operates consistently and not outside the scope of authority the membership gives them. Every decision and every vote must be predicated upon its value to, and the will of the membership.

To answer the questions I’ve been getting from our brothers and sisters on the West side, yes. If you choose to elect me, I will not only prepare my replacement as required by our constitution, but I will also remain with the sheriff’s office to see through ratification of the next contract. For the good of our members, however long that may take.

If you don’t already know, one great asset I offer is my healthy mistrust for the county commissioners and sheriff’s administration. History has taught me that this is warranted so, I won’t mince words.

They can’t be trusted.

We would not need a contract with them if they could. We don’t violate that contract. They do. Regularly. The contract is all we have to ensure our work conditions and benefits, so it must be enforced and exercised at every opportunity. I will keep the E- board focused on this and meticulously maintain grievance process, making the status of grievances available to the membership as long as doing so does not jeopardize the outcome. I will engage and educate our many valuable stewards and I will depend on them to educate the E-board. I you have questions or concerns, my phone is always on.

Our profession has put food on my table and a roof over my head for most of my life. From a young age, the men and women I’ve respected, whose families I have come to know, whose celebrations and whose funerals I have attended, all spent their careers much the way you and I do daily. I cherish the memories created with them and with you. You humble heroes who, with little acknowledgement, devote a huge part of your lives to making our communities, facilities, staff and those other ones safer every single day. I have always respected that, and I am very proud to serve with you the way I do. I have never seen what we do as beneath me and have never tried to distance myself from our profession. In fact, I have spent 16 years of my career educating the public about the value we bring them. I can’t think of a better way to end my career than by dedicating my energy to you and your future. My greatest fear is that I could fail you. True, I am no politician. I speak bluntly. I do this on purpose, and I do it out of respect. Our job has taught me that. I am your brother. With your blessing, I am your servant. The way I see it, a vote for me is a vote for us and I will work to earn that vote every day.

The way I see it though, doesn’t matter nearly as much as your perspective matters. Whatever you choose, I am thankful for the opportunity to present you with that choice. I will not be so self-serving as to ignore your voice.

It is all up to you,

-Bret