2009 Year in Review

The year 2009 was marked by major events and revelations not only in the political arena but in a manner that affected each of us in our day to day lives, whether we realized it or not.  

The motto “Hope and Change” not only applied to the philosophy of the US presidency but carried over to a labor organization that on the surface offered “Hope and Change” but only produced the “Status Quo” for their leadership, who failed to represent the best interests of their membership, whose management of member’s monies revealed their true self-serving purposes with their expending thousands of member’s dollars on their own office space, using member’s money for stipend advancements to themselves, and countless other questionable expenses involving member’s monies, followed by two of their leaders resignation from office, only to reappoint themselves to their former positions six months later. The president of this other organization sits on the CORP Board..  We did not agree with this president’s election to the CORP Board.  It should be noted that last year the State’s retirement fund lost almost 600 million dollars ($6,000,000.00). I guess we’ll see what happens this year.
 
Like the mythical bird, the Phoenix, from the ashes of one organization a new life is formed, thus in July 2009, the Arizona Corrections Association gave birth to rise of an organization whose sole purpose is to represent and defend the best interests of its members regardless of the consequences. 
 
An organization whose leadership employment status is not jeopardized by representing opposing views.  The ACA was the only organization to oppose mandatory staff rotation and who fought to protect your seniority for shift and RDO assignments, while the other two organizations remained silent.
 
While the other organizations with their part-time legislative liaisons attempted to counter the issue of privatization of prisons, our affiliation with the Arizona Police Association (APA) and their two registered lobbyists along with the backing of Williams and Associates, gave us daily contact with key legislators which provided our members with timely first hand information regarding the progress and eventual inability to succeeded in privatizing current prison complexes.  In an attempt to compete with the ACA’s legislative lobbyists efforts through the APA, and after 10 years of a “the same old” political action the same organization has now hired an Executive Director (at thousands of dollars of their members’ money) to promote their political agenda.
 
Our efforts continue on protecting you from the 5% pay cut being proposed.  While others have conceded it’s a done deal, we will fight to protect your pay until the very end.
 
Our legal team of Napier, Abdo, Coury & Baillie believe in being proactive.  While other organizations wait until you have completed the investigative process and have received your discipline, before providing legal services; our legal team is directly involved from the beginning, in some cases are in contact with members before the investigative process commences.  Their legal services have also assisted members in many non-work related matters, saving our members hundreds of dollars in legal services they would have otherwise had to pay if they were to seek the services of their own attorney.
 
When one complex failed to approve annual leave requests for 2010 due to the rotation process, requiring those pending rotation to wait until such time as they were rotated to request leave from their next unit, ACA representatives stepped in to ensure that all annual leave requests were approved based on the seniority of the employee regardless of their rotation.
 
In the six months since its beginning, the ACA has grown to over 500 members spanning 5 of the 10 prison complexes across the State.  As word of our successes continues to spread, our membership will continue to grow.  There is an old saying, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”  The ACA may not be the biggest dog when it comes to the number of members, but like the Israel army, it’s not the number of your soldiers, it’s the determination, motivation and devotion of your organization that makes you successful.
 
The ACA was founded on the principle that there must be a fair and equitable application of policy regarding every employee. That no member of this organization shall be entitled to benefit personally or professional at the sacrifice of others.
 
WHAT 2010 BEGINS
 
Without a doubt, 2010 is going to be a challenge to us all.  The State’s financial situation continues to worsen by the day.  There are no easy solutions.  Most of you probably do not realize that 60% of the State’s budget are mandates and voter initiatives that the State Legislature can not touch.  That leaves only 40% of the State budget to find ways to cut over three billion dollars - $3,000,000.00 - a figure hard for most of us to grasp. 
 
There will be hard choices for our elected officials to make.  There are legal ways to address these mandated and voter initiated budget expenditures but the question is, “Are our elected officials willing to tackle the hard issues?”  It is a no win situation politically no matter what happens.  Do they anger the special interest groups and voters who backed these mandates and voter initiative measures or state workers and the other citizens that will be affected by cuts implemented in State agencies providing public safety and services?
 
No one knows for sure what is going to happen once the Legislature begins in 2010 session, but one thing is for sure the ACA and its lobbyists and affiliates will be there each and every day on your behalf.
 
There will be many rumors and speculation being circulated in the coming weeks.  Don’t be mislead by the misinformation.  We will provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date information available.  So if you do not have an email on file, please provide an email contact or check our website for current information.
 
To be a part of our legislative effort or to assist the organization in other areas, contact your local rep or contact us through our website:  www.correctionsassociation.org

KNOW AND UNDERSTAND YOUR RIGHTS
 
Whenever you are involved in any type of incident, whether at work or not, and are required to write an Information Report, be sure to keep a copy for yourself.  Additionally, if any supervisor or investigator interviews you and any disciplinary action could result from the interview, you have the right to have a staff member or rep present during the interview (DI221).  If you are served with a Supervisor Complaint and requested to provide a written response or served with a letter informing you that you are the principal in an investigation, contact your ACA rep at once.  If you are the subject of a criminal investigation, you have the right to speak with and have an attorney present before being interviewed.  Should you receive any discipline from a Letter of Reprimand or Suspension, you have 10 working days to submit your grievance.  Your time frames begin the day you receive your suspension letter or the date of your suspension.  Don’t wait until the 10 days are almost passed before deciding to submit your grievance.
 
 
MESSAGE FROM EYMAN CHAPTER PRESIDENT KRIEBEL
 
As the ACA continues to grow, we are expanding our sphere of influence throughout the department, and the State. Unlike other labor organizations, ACA has NO paid positions within the organization and does not reimburse anyone for their expenses.  We choose instead to use all of the member dues for things that directly benefit our members, such as the outstanding legal plan, and additional life insurance. The question of whether a member is required to pay $500 deductible with our legal plan continues to be raised.  One only needs to ask the many members who have been provided legal services to date.  No ACA member is required to pay any deductible for legal plan use. That being said, we are looking for volunteers. Positions available include recruiters, staff representatives, and various committee members. We are also looking for a statewide grievance coordinator to assist members in preparing and submitting grievances. Training will be provided by our attorney for those who are interested. Contact your local chapter president, Glenn Conlon, Jim Christy, or myself if you are interested, or would like more information.                               
 
 
VERN’S VIEW
 
Since my return, the question that seems to be on the mind of many of you, other than where I have been for these many months, is this form that is being provided to you by your supervisor which informs you that Read and Sign sheets regarding revised or new policy material are no longer being utilized and that you are now responsible for keeping up-to-date on new policy and changes to policy.
 
There has been no official word why Read and Sign procedures are being changed.  Maybe DOC is going GREEN and is trying to save the planet by eliminating the need to produce thousands of pieces of paper to track policy changes.  Regardless of the reason, what each of you needs to know is that the responsibility for staying informed is now placed solely in your lap. The excuse, “I didn’t know” will not fly.
 
So with that said, since the Department is now requiring you to keep current on policy changes, realize that you must be allowed on duty time to meet this requirement.  I would advise each of you on a weekly basis to contact your supervisor and request to be relieved from your duties and have access to a computer in order for you to check the ADC Net for revised or new policies. If you are not allowed to complete this requirement, you should submit an Information Report indicating that your request to fulfill your responsibilities was denied, thereby protecting you if you commit a policy violation.
 
Questions, concerns, or just lonely.  Contact Vern at:  vernsview@yahoo.com

Article written by/or information provided by ACA