Union Meeting Notes

MCCDA Meeting – June 2023

0815 – 3 members

1200 – 9 members

1615 – 5 members

President –

Hiring is going well. 8 in June, in July we have 3 confirmed and 7 conditional offers out. 19 in backgrounds. HR is becoming more ok with our staff going to recruitment events, we are in a positive retention trend for the first time in a long time.

Workday – we now have access to it on our phones. HR made it clear we do not get OT for accessing it or using it from home.

Spoke with Violet Wild – she wants to put together a committee of ~ 8 to 10 dep’s / sgt’s to help create a corrections newsletter monthly, and would like input. If interested, email her. Also brought up that we may change the “pin” that we get at the 5,10,15 year anniversary to possibly go to a “challenge coin” style reward. She is bringing it to the Sheriff, if ok’d it would go to a membership vote.

Recruiting – still pushing for them to expand our events, pushing to use the staff that has the biggest draw (i.e. transports, CERT). HR is looking at Fall to have another hiring event similar to IJ.

Staff – 12 coming back from academy in a couple weeks, another 6 or so coming off FTEP in mid/early July. Another group of 6 to 8 coming off FTEP in early August.

2.0 – Commissioners are not on board with it, Sheriff isn’t very supportive either. Continuing to push to address the staff issue, but hoping with the change in command staff we might make more headway.

Rehire/Retire program – Command trying to put them on MCCDA contract, requiring MCCDA representation. We are opposed to that, have spoken with our attorney and clarified we do not have to do that.

Deputy Fisher is out for a while – Executive Vice President is a very important spot on the E-board. As of June, he is no longer being paid by the Union due to inability to do union business. In the meantime, John Van Houte is being brought on as a non-voting member to assist with duties and assist with timelines. This is a temporary thing and will not be a permanent solution.

Dues SURVEY results – dispelling rumors, we are not “hiding” the results of the survey, and it was not a vote. We gave the option to put comments in the survey and will not publish those comments as it could out some members. Also, we wanted to address the concerns people had, not just give numbers that don’t tell the entire story. The survey ended with about 263 members coting with 43% of members supporting a dues increase, and 57% opposed. However, those opposed had caveats such as wanting to see where the finances were at before voting yes, seeing cuts already being made prior to, and possibly breaking up the increase over time. In reality, the survey showed that a vast majority of membership is interested in the information related to dues and are not outright opposed to any dues increase.

Staff assault checklist - Buscher spoke with the DA’s, and in conjunction with them, designed a “staff assault checklist” that will make it more likely that charges are pressed and stick against inmates assaulting staff. There were several failures at different points, but we believe we have them fixed and will make sure we address any failures in the future.

Treasurer -

Approx. 850K in account.

First quarter in a long time we haven’t had a deficit. No major expenses however. Inflation since previous dues increase is 40%, already at 4% for the year this year.

Union is looking at potential coming issues, such as changes in law that will lead to more litigation against staff (both criminal and civil).

In the history of the board, a lot of things have been “kick the can” and less “set up for success.” Right now, investing in high yield CDs has been better than other options. However, without the capital to invest into those, we can’t have larger returns.

Things we have cut so far, prizes and Union meetings, cost about $3200 a year. Dropped union payments for retiree food significantly.

Pulled hard numbers for last contract negotiation – To pay the committee members, was $30,000, and the attorney cost $60,000, with an economist costing $4500, so the grand total was approximately $95,000.

Still seeing more and more IA’s, costing money for representation and fighting overly broad accusations.

Information Officer –

Reviewed LMM minutes

New website is being worked on, will have retiree pictures, and a searchable MOU database.

New issues of The Voice out – slowly getting more membership participation

East/West Vice –

Retiree’s should reach out to Deputy Fitch with correct spelling of name, dates, and other relevant information for the plaque.

Soda machines at MCDC are disgusting, Aramark isn’t cleaning them, but Sgt. Bascuti is working on it.

A lot of misinformation going around DC about the board. Also, questions about why the board isn’t buying houses/property for income. We aren’t in the business of property management. The risks of managing that type of stuff, far outweighs the possible benefits.

HR provided a list of previous corrections employees. Due to the retention bonus offered, it was also extended to staff already employed. Approximately 40 staff saw their time change and accrued more vacation.