From: Kevin Raymond
Subject: Supervisory Update
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Supervisory Member:
Regarding the saga that has become the elimination of the POFF II benefit for supervisors and managers it has been well documented in these updates that we requested numerous items in exchange for the lose back in April of 2011. So far we have not received any of the monetary items we requested. However two weeks ago we received notice from the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA) Director Ron Yank that CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate has agreed to two additional items we requested.
Those items are the return of the CCPOA Supervisory Relief Time Bank and “super seniority” for our Supervisory Vice Presidents under post and bid (the Seniority Assignment - SA Agreement), just as the Chapter President and Chief Job Steward are given under the rank and fie MOU. We are attempting to secure a date next week to meet with CDCR Labor Relations to discuss just how and when the super seniority will be implemented.
As previously reported the third item we received was the ability for our SO6/MO6 members to return/remain with the CCPOA Benefit Trust for dental coverage effective January 1, 2012. Current supervisors and managers that wish to take advantage of this cost savings must do so during the open enrollment period, which is currently underway. With all that being said we have not and will not give up on our attempt to obtain the monetary items we requested as well.
CCPOA has requested documentation from DPA that shows the deletion of the PLP program and a return of full pay effective November 1, 2011 for our SO6 and MO6 members. We were informed that documentation should be issued in the first week of November in the form of a pay letter, which is currently being formulated at the State Controllers Office.
On Wednesday October 26, 2011 the CCPOA Supervisory Division attended a meeting with DPA and CDCR Labor Relations regarding the implementation of the AB109 realignment. I would like to thank Jeff Herring CCWF, Ernie Rausch CCC and Dave Swan CMF for their participation and dedication to the membership in this matter.
As you may be aware the rank and file reached a deal providing for “waves” of implementation through June of 2012. In those waves there are opportunities for employees to transfer to understaffed institutions etc. The state has indicated that supervisors and mangers will basically have one opportunity during this first wave. This opportunity will be for those individuals to transfer from an overage institution to an institution with vacancies. Following that opportunity supervisors and managers in overage institutions will be subject to the SROA process.
This opportunity to voluntarily transfer will take place in a two-week window between November 14th and November 28th. This is where the problem lies – the state was unable to provide specific numbers at the table showing which institutions were over and which were under staffed. We expressed our extreme displeasure in the state not having the documents to pass on to our members, considering the opportunity to transfer to an overage institution is a mere two weeks away. The state indicated that they would provide the documents ASAP.
We also inquired about the ATO and the travel money being provided to the rank and file members that voluntarily transfer. The state indicated that they had no intention of doing anything different for supervisors and managers that voluntarily transfer to an overage institution. The problem is the overage institutions in the case of supervisors and managers may be different than the rank and file. In other words it may or may not be HDSP, PBSP, CMF, CSP SAC and SVSP.
Meanwhile local management teams continue to cut positions under, according to them, the direction of the Program Support Unit (PSU). We have requested the basic respect of having input locally on which positions are to be cut. As these cuts in some cases are all bid jobs and from base packages instead of the actual overcrowding packages which are being taken down.
With the realignment we continue to receive numerous meet and confer notices for supervisory issues such as conversions of Reception Centers to General Population. We will seek dates and members to negotiate these issues as they come in.
I realize that this update is not optimum in content regarding the realignment, however I felt it was important to provide all the information that is available at this time.
Additionally we are scheduled next week to meet over the closure of SYRCC regarding our supervisor members.
As more information becomes available on these and other issues I will continue to update you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Raymond
kevin.raymond@ccpoa.org
PROTECTED ACTIVITY The state and the union shall not impose or threaten to impose reprisals on employees, to discriminate or threaten to discriminate against employees, or otherwise to interfere with, restrain or coerce employees because of their exercise of rights guaranteed by the Ralph C. Dills ACT MOU 5.03 section A
Monday, October 31, 2011
CCPOA better fill the War Chest
Petitions are being circulated for a ballot measure designed to end collective bargaining for California's public- employee unions.
The End Public Sector Bargaining Act would eliminate collective-bargaining rights for public employees such as teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters. It is similar to a Wisconsin law passed this year.
The measure would apply not only to state employees, but to employees at local government agencies such as counties, cities and school districts.
The measure's sponsor, a UC Santa Barbara economics lecturer, must gather more than 800,000 signatures by Feb. 3 for the measure to qualify for the the Nov. 6, 2012, presidential ballot.
Jack Pitney, a political- science professor at Claremont McKenna College, called the measure "dead on arrival" because of the state's left-leaning politics and strong union presence.
"I'd be surprised if he can even get it qualified," Pitney said. "I doubt he can get enough signatures."
The measure's sponsor, Lanny Ebenstein of Santa Barbara, could not be reached for comment.
Ebenstein is a former board member at Santa Barbara Unified School District and an author who has written biographies of free-market economists Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman.
In a recent commentary article on the Cal Watchdog website, Ebenstein called public-sector employees overpaid and blamed collective bargaining for their "inflated" compensation packages.
"Ending public-sector collective bargaining would enable each local government agency in the state, and the state itself, to establish the pay cut-backs and benefit reductions that will make sense for it," Ebenstein wrote.
The End Public Sector Bargaining Act would eliminate collective-bargaining rights for public employees such as teachers, nurses, police officers and firefighters. It is similar to a Wisconsin law passed this year.
The measure would apply not only to state employees, but to employees at local government agencies such as counties, cities and school districts.
The measure's sponsor, a UC Santa Barbara economics lecturer, must gather more than 800,000 signatures by Feb. 3 for the measure to qualify for the the Nov. 6, 2012, presidential ballot.
Jack Pitney, a political- science professor at Claremont McKenna College, called the measure "dead on arrival" because of the state's left-leaning politics and strong union presence.
"I'd be surprised if he can even get it qualified," Pitney said. "I doubt he can get enough signatures."
The measure's sponsor, Lanny Ebenstein of Santa Barbara, could not be reached for comment.
Ebenstein is a former board member at Santa Barbara Unified School District and an author who has written biographies of free-market economists Friedrich Hayek and Milton Friedman.
In a recent commentary article on the Cal Watchdog website, Ebenstein called public-sector employees overpaid and blamed collective bargaining for their "inflated" compensation packages.
"Ending public-sector collective bargaining would enable each local government agency in the state, and the state itself, to establish the pay cut-backs and benefit reductions that will make sense for it," Ebenstein wrote.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
CDCr Secretary M. Cate on the Realignment
How is realignment going so far?
It's going along as expected. We knew that changes of this magnitude and complexity weren't going to be easy. There are a thousand details to try to get right. We're working every day to smooth out the bumps in the road.
How will the public be able to gauge whether this works?
We were facing a prisoner release (court) order on the magnitude of about 35,000 inmates. That's (like) emptying seven prisons onto the streets. So if we avoid an early release order from the Supreme Court, that will be a sign of success.
We know prison spending has been growing at an unsustainable rate. If we see that coming down … that will be a sign of success.
And if we see recidivism rates reduced from the neighborhood of 70 percent, then we'll know the counties are fulfilling their promise, which has been, "We can do this better."
How is department morale?
As I talk to employees, they're concerned about their future. They're worried about their families.
But we've been able to work out (labor) agreements (that include) voluntary moves from overstaffed prisons to prisons where we're understaffed. We're also trying to reduce staffing levels over time, which will minimize the impact.
This is actually an opportunity to remake the prisons. For the first time there's a chance to run them the way they were designed.
Might this prod more long-serving employees to retire?
It might. That's a mixed bag for me. It makes room for some of the younger employees to stay on. On the other hand, you lose a great deal of experience.
One of the things that makes California unique is that we pay our officers and free staff pretty well compared to the rest of the country, so our longevity and experience levels are the best in the nation. That's how you're able to run a prison at 195 percent of design capacity. I hate to lose that.
What will work be like for those who remain?
There will be less overtime. … You'll have to adjust your lifestyle if you're making your boat payment with overtime every month.
(Prison employees) will have to get used to working in institutions without massive inmate turnover. Last year we had 47,000 inmates serve 90 days or less.
The first weekend of realignment, if you worked at (the prison) down in Chino, you would have expected 10 buses from LA County that weekend. Instead, we had four.
If you work in parole, you're going to have different responsibilities. The lower-level offenders won't be on your caseload.
Some of the guys hardest to supervise – the drug addicts and the property crime guys – will be handled by counties. We'll have the hard-core guys, and I think our team does a really great job with those kinds of people.
It's going along as expected. We knew that changes of this magnitude and complexity weren't going to be easy. There are a thousand details to try to get right. We're working every day to smooth out the bumps in the road.
How will the public be able to gauge whether this works?
We were facing a prisoner release (court) order on the magnitude of about 35,000 inmates. That's (like) emptying seven prisons onto the streets. So if we avoid an early release order from the Supreme Court, that will be a sign of success.
We know prison spending has been growing at an unsustainable rate. If we see that coming down … that will be a sign of success.
And if we see recidivism rates reduced from the neighborhood of 70 percent, then we'll know the counties are fulfilling their promise, which has been, "We can do this better."
How is department morale?
As I talk to employees, they're concerned about their future. They're worried about their families.
But we've been able to work out (labor) agreements (that include) voluntary moves from overstaffed prisons to prisons where we're understaffed. We're also trying to reduce staffing levels over time, which will minimize the impact.
This is actually an opportunity to remake the prisons. For the first time there's a chance to run them the way they were designed.
Might this prod more long-serving employees to retire?
It might. That's a mixed bag for me. It makes room for some of the younger employees to stay on. On the other hand, you lose a great deal of experience.
One of the things that makes California unique is that we pay our officers and free staff pretty well compared to the rest of the country, so our longevity and experience levels are the best in the nation. That's how you're able to run a prison at 195 percent of design capacity. I hate to lose that.
What will work be like for those who remain?
There will be less overtime. … You'll have to adjust your lifestyle if you're making your boat payment with overtime every month.
(Prison employees) will have to get used to working in institutions without massive inmate turnover. Last year we had 47,000 inmates serve 90 days or less.
The first weekend of realignment, if you worked at (the prison) down in Chino, you would have expected 10 buses from LA County that weekend. Instead, we had four.
If you work in parole, you're going to have different responsibilities. The lower-level offenders won't be on your caseload.
Some of the guys hardest to supervise – the drug addicts and the property crime guys – will be handled by counties. We'll have the hard-core guys, and I think our team does a really great job with those kinds of people.
PACO's B. Walsh on the BOD
The ballots for the Retired Chapter dues increase just went out. The proposal is to bump the dues up from the current $5 per month to $10 per month, with $7 going to the Benefit Trust for our benefits and $3 going to chapter operations. I urge retirees to support this change.
DJJ Parole is now officially dead. All DJJ parole officers have gone through their ten week transition and have been absorbed into DAPO. Also the DJJ officer transitional academy beings on November 14 and runs for two weeks.
The supervisor transfer option letters will be out on November 14 with a two-week open period. If you don’t join up you fall into the SROA process. The department is supposed to have the finalized seniority information and transfer option list available any day. The department has also approved super seniority for CCPOA (and CCSO) supervisory reps at the institutions.
Now for the main interest item, AB 109 implementation. Both Rich Subia, the #3 man at CDCr and Laura Powell, outside counsel, were at the meeting and talked and answered questions for about an hour. It was obvious that there is still a serious difference opinion about what is going to happen when. Also it is obvious that many of the institutions are keeping people in the dark and blaming it incorrectly on directions from on high.
Based on the presentation I really believe that the Department is going to some pains to maintain as much staff at their home institution as possible. Also, both the Department and CCPOA are still maintaining that there will be very few, if any, actual layoffs IF (massive IF there) staff are willing to relocate for OTAP and PICO positions.
OTAP positions will be regular 40 hour positions, very much like the old HRO officers. You will have regular days off, but not necessarily a fixed schedule. The union has not waived the 13 shift minimum for PIE officers, so unless things turn totally to crap you will get enough time in to maintain your seniority and your benefits. Working 13 shifts for good wages and decent benefits probably beats working 28 shifts at WalMart. (Yes I realize that relocation is a big issue, and for some a financial impossibility.)
Also the Retired Annuitants are supposed to be mostly gone. Subia was very definite that the Department does not want a RA taking up a regular job that some laid off cop is supposed to have.
Another issue that some people may not have thought about is that the retirement numbers are likely to jump when this kicks in. There will no doubt be some very senior people who will bail once the seniority overtime goes away.
Everybody seems to agree that the Department is in for a rough 2 1/2 to 3 years. After that, the situation should be stabilized. I hope all you youngsters out there with less than 3 or 4 years in find a place to land without too much drama.
DJJ Parole is now officially dead. All DJJ parole officers have gone through their ten week transition and have been absorbed into DAPO. Also the DJJ officer transitional academy beings on November 14 and runs for two weeks.
The supervisor transfer option letters will be out on November 14 with a two-week open period. If you don’t join up you fall into the SROA process. The department is supposed to have the finalized seniority information and transfer option list available any day. The department has also approved super seniority for CCPOA (and CCSO) supervisory reps at the institutions.
Now for the main interest item, AB 109 implementation. Both Rich Subia, the #3 man at CDCr and Laura Powell, outside counsel, were at the meeting and talked and answered questions for about an hour. It was obvious that there is still a serious difference opinion about what is going to happen when. Also it is obvious that many of the institutions are keeping people in the dark and blaming it incorrectly on directions from on high.
Based on the presentation I really believe that the Department is going to some pains to maintain as much staff at their home institution as possible. Also, both the Department and CCPOA are still maintaining that there will be very few, if any, actual layoffs IF (massive IF there) staff are willing to relocate for OTAP and PICO positions.
OTAP positions will be regular 40 hour positions, very much like the old HRO officers. You will have regular days off, but not necessarily a fixed schedule. The union has not waived the 13 shift minimum for PIE officers, so unless things turn totally to crap you will get enough time in to maintain your seniority and your benefits. Working 13 shifts for good wages and decent benefits probably beats working 28 shifts at WalMart. (Yes I realize that relocation is a big issue, and for some a financial impossibility.)
Also the Retired Annuitants are supposed to be mostly gone. Subia was very definite that the Department does not want a RA taking up a regular job that some laid off cop is supposed to have.
Another issue that some people may not have thought about is that the retirement numbers are likely to jump when this kicks in. There will no doubt be some very senior people who will bail once the seniority overtime goes away.
Everybody seems to agree that the Department is in for a rough 2 1/2 to 3 years. After that, the situation should be stabilized. I hope all you youngsters out there with less than 3 or 4 years in find a place to land without too much drama.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Things that make you say Hhmmmm
I borrowed this Post from a writer on PACO, I found it very telling and had to share it! I hope Mr Mason does not mind me sharing his thoughts.
BU 6, SO 6, MANAGERS OF BU 6 and SO 6
Are you fortunate enough to have worked at least 27 years in your classification? Are you fortunate enough to be over the age of 50 and have survived all that the corrections world has imposed on you and your family? If you have answered yes, I want you to know that the CDCR is going through a phase called PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT.
The State of California is making grand changes as to how criminals shall be dealt with. CDCR is about to begin downsizing and reducing the population of criminals that CDCR will supervise. With the reduction in convicted felons to be supervised by California Correctional Peace Officers comes a reduction in the number of Correctional Officers required to supervise the convicted felons. With this reduction of convicted felons, the State of California will need less Correctional Peace Officers to supervise the convicted felons during their incarceration. Therefore Correctional Peace Officers will be laid off in this process.
At numeros prisons, Correctional Officer positions have been identified as surplus due the forthcoming reduction of convicted felons. This means layoffs for California Correctional Peace Officers. They have begun receiving their layoff notices starting October 21, 2011. These layoff notices are very real and shall occur. These California Correctional Peace Officers have families and loved ones that depend on them so that they may continue to live day to day. They have spouses, children. parents, grandparents. bothers and sisters that depend on them in the trying economic times.
Did you know that a member of the Unit 6 family that has 27 years or more will receive a pay raise by retiring? You will pay less in medical. Pay less in union dues? Pay less in the cost of gas in the daily commute? Yet PICOs shall endure more expenditures waiting by the phone for work when they could be working at a job that pays less or collecting unemployment waiting for a call to work.
To the BU 6, SO 6 and Managers of BU 6 and SO 6 that have 27 year and over, you have the ability to ensure that these brothers and sisters may continue to provide for their familes. We once were a group of California Correctional Peace Officers that went out of their way to make sure we all got our issue and looked out for eachother, maybe it is time we started looking out for our own again.
Just sayin………
RMCII CorcoranII
BU 6, SO 6, MANAGERS OF BU 6 and SO 6
Are you fortunate enough to have worked at least 27 years in your classification? Are you fortunate enough to be over the age of 50 and have survived all that the corrections world has imposed on you and your family? If you have answered yes, I want you to know that the CDCR is going through a phase called PUBLIC SAFETY REALIGNMENT.
The State of California is making grand changes as to how criminals shall be dealt with. CDCR is about to begin downsizing and reducing the population of criminals that CDCR will supervise. With the reduction in convicted felons to be supervised by California Correctional Peace Officers comes a reduction in the number of Correctional Officers required to supervise the convicted felons. With this reduction of convicted felons, the State of California will need less Correctional Peace Officers to supervise the convicted felons during their incarceration. Therefore Correctional Peace Officers will be laid off in this process.
At numeros prisons, Correctional Officer positions have been identified as surplus due the forthcoming reduction of convicted felons. This means layoffs for California Correctional Peace Officers. They have begun receiving their layoff notices starting October 21, 2011. These layoff notices are very real and shall occur. These California Correctional Peace Officers have families and loved ones that depend on them so that they may continue to live day to day. They have spouses, children. parents, grandparents. bothers and sisters that depend on them in the trying economic times.
Did you know that a member of the Unit 6 family that has 27 years or more will receive a pay raise by retiring? You will pay less in medical. Pay less in union dues? Pay less in the cost of gas in the daily commute? Yet PICOs shall endure more expenditures waiting by the phone for work when they could be working at a job that pays less or collecting unemployment waiting for a call to work.
To the BU 6, SO 6 and Managers of BU 6 and SO 6 that have 27 year and over, you have the ability to ensure that these brothers and sisters may continue to provide for their familes. We once were a group of California Correctional Peace Officers that went out of their way to make sure we all got our issue and looked out for eachother, maybe it is time we started looking out for our own again.
Just sayin………
RMCII CorcoranII
Friday, October 28, 2011
CDCR Transfer Travel Tips
In light of the first wave of our Department’s REALIGNMENT that is now upon us, it is imperative that the following steps be taken to ensure Voluntary Transfer per diem is processed as smoothly as possible. Please be aware, per diem will only be paid if the receiving institution is fifty (50) miles or more from your current institution.
All Travel Expense Claims (NOT TRAVEL ADVANCE) must be processed through CalATERS
• Before an expense claim can be processed in CalATERS, a user profile must be created. If you do not have a CalATERS profile, please complete the attached CalATERS Profile Form (page 2) and fax to 559.992.7035, attention Help Desk. VOLUNTARY TRANSFER must be written across the top of the form to expedite processing. (A modified copy is attached for your convenience)
• Once your profile is established, a CalATERS Travel Expense Claim must be submitted for the one time amount that you are entitled to.
EXAMPLE: If you are currently employed at CSP-Corcoran, transferring to Pelican Bay (over 50 miles), you are entitled to $125.00 per day, for 60 days. Your claim would be $7500.00 total. PLEASE BE AWARE, since this transfer allowance has been deemed taxable, taxes will be taken from the subsequent payroll warrant. This will be in addition to normal payroll taxes.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BELOW (AB109 ATTACHMENT)
• When entering your Travel Expense Claim in CalATERS please make sure the REPORT NAME begins with your agency/PRU, followed by, VOLUNTARY TRANSFER. EXAMPLE: 065-201Voluntary Transfer.
• Enter the amount of your claim for the total amount allotted for your particular move.
• Claims are to be authorized by approvers at your CURRENT LOCATION.
• In addition to the CalATERS electronic claim, an approved print out of your claim must be sent to RAO-Corcoran with a copy of your Voluntary Transfer memo issued by Headquarters (HQ). Failure to provide this memo will result in a non-issuance of funds.
• Funds will be issued as soon as possible within receipt of both the approved electronic CalATERS claim and a signed CalATERS transmittal printout with your HQ memo attached at RAO-Corcoran. Checks will be either Direct Deposited or sent to the address reflected in your CalATERS profile, depending on how your payroll is established at SCO.
All Travel Expense Claims (NOT TRAVEL ADVANCE) must be processed through CalATERS
• Before an expense claim can be processed in CalATERS, a user profile must be created. If you do not have a CalATERS profile, please complete the attached CalATERS Profile Form (page 2) and fax to 559.992.7035, attention Help Desk. VOLUNTARY TRANSFER must be written across the top of the form to expedite processing. (A modified copy is attached for your convenience)
• Once your profile is established, a CalATERS Travel Expense Claim must be submitted for the one time amount that you are entitled to.
EXAMPLE: If you are currently employed at CSP-Corcoran, transferring to Pelican Bay (over 50 miles), you are entitled to $125.00 per day, for 60 days. Your claim would be $7500.00 total. PLEASE BE AWARE, since this transfer allowance has been deemed taxable, taxes will be taken from the subsequent payroll warrant. This will be in addition to normal payroll taxes.
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BELOW (AB109 ATTACHMENT)
• When entering your Travel Expense Claim in CalATERS please make sure the REPORT NAME begins with your agency/PRU, followed by, VOLUNTARY TRANSFER. EXAMPLE: 065-201Voluntary Transfer.
• Enter the amount of your claim for the total amount allotted for your particular move.
• Claims are to be authorized by approvers at your CURRENT LOCATION.
• In addition to the CalATERS electronic claim, an approved print out of your claim must be sent to RAO-Corcoran with a copy of your Voluntary Transfer memo issued by Headquarters (HQ). Failure to provide this memo will result in a non-issuance of funds.
• Funds will be issued as soon as possible within receipt of both the approved electronic CalATERS claim and a signed CalATERS transmittal printout with your HQ memo attached at RAO-Corcoran. Checks will be either Direct Deposited or sent to the address reflected in your CalATERS profile, depending on how your payroll is established at SCO.
OTAP/PIE bid was put on HOLD
The big news on the yards today was the news about the Otap/Pie bid being put on hold until further notice. There is alot of information out there right now as to why. I heard you all give your opinions and frankly, I haven't heard anything from our local Chapter or the Management team.
The most logical news I heard was that CCPOA got involved in the process and wants clarification as to the numbers the State is using to calculate the numbers at each institution, for Pie's. I know that at CIM we had a 10% rule on ratios for full time versus PIE counts.
The Otap/Pie Bid was postponed at all institutions and not just at CIM. I'm awaiting a response and I will update this information as soon as it becomes available.
(10% Pie Chart)
The most logical news I heard was that CCPOA got involved in the process and wants clarification as to the numbers the State is using to calculate the numbers at each institution, for Pie's. I know that at CIM we had a 10% rule on ratios for full time versus PIE counts.
The Otap/Pie Bid was postponed at all institutions and not just at CIM. I'm awaiting a response and I will update this information as soon as it becomes available.
Shaving Chrono UPPPP!
California has settled a lawsuit filed by a man who was barred from becoming a prison guard because he refused to shave the beard required by his Sikh religion, officials said Thursday.
Civil rights organizations said the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's policy amounts to religious discrimination. They say the state makes exceptions for men with certain medical conditions and should make similar allowances for Sikhs, Muslims, Orthodox Jews and others whose religion requires facial hair.
Under the settlement, the state will not change its rules requiring most men to be free of facial hair so they can be fitted for gas masks. But it is paying Trilochan Oberoi $295,000 in damages and giving him a $61,000-a-year job as a manager in the corrections department.
The 63-year-old, who once served in the Indian Navy, has worked at a Walmart store while he fought a six-year battle to become a guard at Folsom State Prison east of Sacramento.
He should have applied for the old Shaving Chrono during his yearly physical, like everyone else. The best one I heard was an officer told me he only gets shaving bumps in a perfectly manicured area around his mouth, that's why he wears an illegal "Goatee" Check the DOM out folks!
Civil rights organizations said the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's policy amounts to religious discrimination. They say the state makes exceptions for men with certain medical conditions and should make similar allowances for Sikhs, Muslims, Orthodox Jews and others whose religion requires facial hair.
Under the settlement, the state will not change its rules requiring most men to be free of facial hair so they can be fitted for gas masks. But it is paying Trilochan Oberoi $295,000 in damages and giving him a $61,000-a-year job as a manager in the corrections department.
The 63-year-old, who once served in the Indian Navy, has worked at a Walmart store while he fought a six-year battle to become a guard at Folsom State Prison east of Sacramento.
He should have applied for the old Shaving Chrono during his yearly physical, like everyone else. The best one I heard was an officer told me he only gets shaving bumps in a perfectly manicured area around his mouth, that's why he wears an illegal "Goatee" Check the DOM out folks!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Who's your Buddy!
Gov. Jerry Brown will propose a higher retirement age and less-generous pension benefits for newly hired state employees, sources familiar with Brown's pension plan said Wednesday.
The Democratic governor, who plans to release his pension plan today, will also propose prohibiting the purchase of additional retirement service credit, or "airtime."
The plan, as presented privately by the Brown administration to labor leaders Wednesday afternoon, includes increasing the full retirement age to 67 for most new workers not in public safety jobs.
The increased retirement age proposal is more aggressive than expected, and labor interests, which poured millions of dollars into Brown's gubernatorial campaign, are likely to bristle at the prospect.
Brown's plan includes replacing defined-benefit pensions for new employees with a mandatory "hybrid" system combining a smaller, defined benefit, Social Security and a 401(k)-style benefit
Well, I hope this Governor considers Correctional Officers as Public Safety! Was Don Novey on to something when he backed Meg Whitman? I wonder who is laughing now?
The Democratic governor, who plans to release his pension plan today, will also propose prohibiting the purchase of additional retirement service credit, or "airtime."
The plan, as presented privately by the Brown administration to labor leaders Wednesday afternoon, includes increasing the full retirement age to 67 for most new workers not in public safety jobs.
The increased retirement age proposal is more aggressive than expected, and labor interests, which poured millions of dollars into Brown's gubernatorial campaign, are likely to bristle at the prospect.
Brown's plan includes replacing defined-benefit pensions for new employees with a mandatory "hybrid" system combining a smaller, defined benefit, Social Security and a 401(k)-style benefit
Well, I hope this Governor considers Correctional Officers as Public Safety! Was Don Novey on to something when he backed Meg Whitman? I wonder who is laughing now?
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
PLP status for Supervisors
More than half the state workforce will return to full hours and pay starting next week.
The so-called "Personal Leave Program" ends Nov. 1 for the 95,000 employees covered by SEIU Local 1000 and another 30,000 excluded workers such as managers and supervisors.
The state sent paychecks to about 230,000 employees last month, according to the latest figures from the controller's office.
A little over one year ago, Local 1000 agreed to a contract that included one day of PLP per month for 12 months That agreement, which went into effect Nov. 1, 2010, also gave members a no-furlough guarantee during the PLP period.
Excluded managers and supervisors received similar terms via a memo issued by the Department of Personnel Administration.
Several blog users have asked if the end of PLP means that furloughs might return. Technically, it's possible, but we think it's extremely unlikely.
1st Wave Numbers are in = 1st Opportunity
The first Wave numbers are in on the 1st Opportunity and here is a break down of what I currently have. There was 13 institutions that were given the opportunity to bid on five institutions with current vacancies. There was 98 total transfers that were granted a bid, by seniority.
Here is the CIM break down:
11 Officers from CIM were granted a transfer for December 5, 2011. (20 CIM Officers submitted a request)
HDSP = 5
PBSP = 5
SAC = 1
I'm told Officers were contacted today. We also had one OG that was granted a request.
Have a Safe 8
Here is the CIM break down:
11 Officers from CIM were granted a transfer for December 5, 2011. (20 CIM Officers submitted a request)
HDSP = 5
PBSP = 5
SAC = 1
I'm told Officers were contacted today. We also had one OG that was granted a request.
Have a Safe 8
Monday, October 24, 2011
Prison Officials say 3400 positions will go away
California’s prison agency made big headlines Friday when officials announced they were beginning to send out a whopping 26,000 layoff warnings to employees. At the time, they said far fewer people were likely to lose their jobs, but they couldn’t predict how many.
Today, they’re saying it’s likely to be far, far fewer than 26,000 — in fact, they’re predicting that closer to 3,400 positions could be eliminated by the end of February, when the layoffs are scheduled to take effect.
The discrepancy is based both on standard operating procedure (the state usually notifies three times the number of employees than they actually plan to layoff) and the fluidity of Gov. Jerry Brown’s realignment plan. That plan, which will leave many lower-level offenders in county jails instead of state prison in the coming months and years, is an attempt to curb the state’s exploding prison population — and is the reason prison employees are at risk of losing their jobs at all.
But unlike normal layoff procedures — where a department is given a cold, hard number to cut out of its budget — there are a lot of uncertainties tied to realignment. Robert Downs, who heads up the prison department’s office of personnel services, said state officials have had to rely on inmate projections from counties, courts and others to come up with estimates on how many staff members they will need next year.
Things get even more complicated when you start factoring in that employees at risk of losing their jobs may choose to transfer to similar positions within the prisons system or volunteer for a demotion to a previously held position. Employee retirements could also impact the final number, Downs said.
“A lot of people want to know how many staff will be laid off, and though we are unable to say that, as a starting point we can say at this point in time that its likely 3,400 positions will go away,” Downs said, adding that more employees — likely those that work in the parole division — could lose their jobs next year in the one or two more rounds of layoffs that are currently anticipated
Today, they’re saying it’s likely to be far, far fewer than 26,000 — in fact, they’re predicting that closer to 3,400 positions could be eliminated by the end of February, when the layoffs are scheduled to take effect.
The discrepancy is based both on standard operating procedure (the state usually notifies three times the number of employees than they actually plan to layoff) and the fluidity of Gov. Jerry Brown’s realignment plan. That plan, which will leave many lower-level offenders in county jails instead of state prison in the coming months and years, is an attempt to curb the state’s exploding prison population — and is the reason prison employees are at risk of losing their jobs at all.
But unlike normal layoff procedures — where a department is given a cold, hard number to cut out of its budget — there are a lot of uncertainties tied to realignment. Robert Downs, who heads up the prison department’s office of personnel services, said state officials have had to rely on inmate projections from counties, courts and others to come up with estimates on how many staff members they will need next year.
Things get even more complicated when you start factoring in that employees at risk of losing their jobs may choose to transfer to similar positions within the prisons system or volunteer for a demotion to a previously held position. Employee retirements could also impact the final number, Downs said.
“A lot of people want to know how many staff will be laid off, and though we are unable to say that, as a starting point we can say at this point in time that its likely 3,400 positions will go away,” Downs said, adding that more employees — likely those that work in the parole division — could lose their jobs next year in the one or two more rounds of layoffs that are currently anticipated
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The right to disagree
I by no means do not profess to be a CCPOA historian nor a CCPOA hater, I'm starting to see a disturbing trend happening with the current CCPOA leadership. It seems the last few years there has been an increase in Chapter 13's and this trend does not bode well for CCPOA members. Our Union is for the rank and file member and our views must be respected! You do not have to agree, but our members have a right to voice their own opinions.
I'm told that a current member who ran for CCPOA President this past election is now "In the Hat" and his chapter 13 is now under review. I know that the EC will not get their hands dirty, some leg humper will certainly put his name on the paperwork.
Really folks! Instead of worrying about an outspoken member, how about you take a stand on the many young members, that are very nervous about their futures with CDCr. Could have been that with all the lawsuit money going out, that we had no money to try and at least fight this AB109?
What Happen to this great Organization?
I'm told that a current member who ran for CCPOA President this past election is now "In the Hat" and his chapter 13 is now under review. I know that the EC will not get their hands dirty, some leg humper will certainly put his name on the paperwork.
Really folks! Instead of worrying about an outspoken member, how about you take a stand on the many young members, that are very nervous about their futures with CDCr. Could have been that with all the lawsuit money going out, that we had no money to try and at least fight this AB109?
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Youngster you have Mail!
California's prison agency began sending the first of 26,000 layoff notices to employees Friday, warning prison guards, parole agents and other state workers that they may lose their jobs by February.
Verke said the state will send a total of 26,000 layoff warnings over the next several days, though far fewer employees are likely to end up losing their jobs. About 6,000 warnings will go out per day until all 26,000 have been mailed, he said.
"We are sending these notices to employees who have 10 years (of service) or less, to tell them you may be affected and here are your options," Verke said. Verke said state officials are asking those who receive the notices to consider transferring to prison facilities that have vacant positions, though he did not know exactly how many vacancies currently exist. Those facilities with open positions include California Medical Center in Vacaville; High Desert State Prison in Susanville; Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City; California State Prison-Sacramento; and Salinas Valley State Prison.
Workers who will actually be laid off will not be notified until Nov. 1, and the layoffs would not take effect until Feb. 29. Verke said it's possible a second round of layoffs could commence in March, depending on prison population projections and how many vacant positions are filled in the first round.
Verke said the state will send a total of 26,000 layoff warnings over the next several days, though far fewer employees are likely to end up losing their jobs. About 6,000 warnings will go out per day until all 26,000 have been mailed, he said.
"We are sending these notices to employees who have 10 years (of service) or less, to tell them you may be affected and here are your options," Verke said. Verke said state officials are asking those who receive the notices to consider transferring to prison facilities that have vacant positions, though he did not know exactly how many vacancies currently exist. Those facilities with open positions include California Medical Center in Vacaville; High Desert State Prison in Susanville; Pelican Bay State Prison in Crescent City; California State Prison-Sacramento; and Salinas Valley State Prison.
Workers who will actually be laid off will not be notified until Nov. 1, and the layoffs would not take effect until Feb. 29. Verke said it's possible a second round of layoffs could commence in March, depending on prison population projections and how many vacant positions are filled in the first round.
Friday, October 21, 2011
From the "Not so Smart file"
On Wednesday, Oct 19, 2011 at approximately 0130 hours (Ist Watch), an intoxicated individual took a taxi cab and came to San Quentin State Prison around 01:30 AM and demanded to visit his friend, who is incarcerated inside SQ. Officer at the East Gate immediately summoned the OP Sergeant on duty to respond to the scene.
Sergeant B. responded to the scene and asked the individual to leave State grounds but the individual refused to leave without visiting his friend. Sergeant B. detained the suspect and summoned Marin County Sheriff. A Routine check by the sheriff, confirmed that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. This individual was arrested at the scene and booked into Marin County Sheriff's department jail.
(this new award will be given to folks, when they deserve it!! )
Sergeant B. responded to the scene and asked the individual to leave State grounds but the individual refused to leave without visiting his friend. Sergeant B. detained the suspect and summoned Marin County Sheriff. A Routine check by the sheriff, confirmed that he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. This individual was arrested at the scene and booked into Marin County Sheriff's department jail.
(this new award will be given to folks, when they deserve it!! )
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Female Officer Attacked
A female correctional officer from Drumheller, Alta., was taken to hospital with minor injuries after she was allegedly overpowered by a male inmate returning from a day pass.
The officer was escorting the prisoner — who is serving time for second degree murder — back from a visit with his family in Buck Lake, Alta., on Tuesday night. Buck Lake is roughly two and a half hours southwest of Edmonton. That's when the unrestrained Donald Junior Fowler faked being sick. When the guard pulled over, the inmate overpowered her, said RCMP.
Fowler, 32, allegedly choked her with his hands and seatbelt then tied her up, put her in the backseat and drove through the rural roads near Three Hills, northeast of Calgary, before she was able to convince Fowler to let her out at a rural intersection. RCMP say the woman had some level of comfort with the inmate and had escorted him on at least one day trip before.
Three Hills RCMP Sgt. Joe Sangster is crediting the woman’s life skills with her escape.
"She impresses me with being a very smart and resilient individual and she did a fabulous job,” said Sangster.
Fowler was arrested 45 minutes later without incident. He is now facing seven new charges, including forcible confinement and assaulting a peace officer. He will be in court on Friday.
The corrections officer has been released from hospital with no physical injuries.
Drumheller Institution spokesperson Dawn Bancroft said the prisoner was not classified as being dangerous.
“Minimum security is the lowest level of security that an offender can achieve.” Drumheller Institution is reviewing its policies involving which inmates are allowed temporary day passes.
The officer was escorting the prisoner — who is serving time for second degree murder — back from a visit with his family in Buck Lake, Alta., on Tuesday night. Buck Lake is roughly two and a half hours southwest of Edmonton. That's when the unrestrained Donald Junior Fowler faked being sick. When the guard pulled over, the inmate overpowered her, said RCMP.
Fowler, 32, allegedly choked her with his hands and seatbelt then tied her up, put her in the backseat and drove through the rural roads near Three Hills, northeast of Calgary, before she was able to convince Fowler to let her out at a rural intersection. RCMP say the woman had some level of comfort with the inmate and had escorted him on at least one day trip before.
Three Hills RCMP Sgt. Joe Sangster is crediting the woman’s life skills with her escape.
"She impresses me with being a very smart and resilient individual and she did a fabulous job,” said Sangster.
Fowler was arrested 45 minutes later without incident. He is now facing seven new charges, including forcible confinement and assaulting a peace officer. He will be in court on Friday.
The corrections officer has been released from hospital with no physical injuries.
Drumheller Institution spokesperson Dawn Bancroft said the prisoner was not classified as being dangerous.
“Minimum security is the lowest level of security that an offender can achieve.” Drumheller Institution is reviewing its policies involving which inmates are allowed temporary day passes.
SOMS were we Ready
I have been checking in with riders at many other Institutions and I have to say our problems with SOMS is not just a CIM thing! This activation process has to be costing the state millions and were we fully ready to activate?
Maybe CDCR should have put just as much effort into this as we did the reduction re-alignment! I know that our Management team was burning the midnight oil late into the night trying to make sure SOMS would get up and running the way it was designed.
Our Top Control Sergeants were not even on the SOMS team. I think they should have spent more than just a day at CIW learning the system. I do think that when this finally gets going, it will be a better way to track and count movement.
But CIM-2 control really? It should have been centrally located, like maybe the SAB building.
I can tell there were many frustrated staff running around CIM the past couple of days. I think the powers at be should sit back and let the troops operate as they do, and just maybe we will get this right. Many giving input haven't worked a Control in years (some never have!)
Have a Safe 8 (and call in your Count :)
Maybe CDCR should have put just as much effort into this as we did the reduction re-alignment! I know that our Management team was burning the midnight oil late into the night trying to make sure SOMS would get up and running the way it was designed.
Our Top Control Sergeants were not even on the SOMS team. I think they should have spent more than just a day at CIW learning the system. I do think that when this finally gets going, it will be a better way to track and count movement.
But CIM-2 control really? It should have been centrally located, like maybe the SAB building.
I can tell there were many frustrated staff running around CIM the past couple of days. I think the powers at be should sit back and let the troops operate as they do, and just maybe we will get this right. Many giving input haven't worked a Control in years (some never have!)
Have a Safe 8 (and call in your Count :)
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
CCPOA spokesman the concessions aren't "Ideal".
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- As California's massive prison and parole department begins an historic downsizing to cut costs and comply with court orders, it's getting a hand from organized labor.
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association and five other unions have signed contract amendments for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees that set aside some job protections, drastically cut employees' state-paid moving allowances and aim to reduce prison officer overtime costs. The state estimates the deals will save about $13 million for the current fiscal year, compared with the traditional layoff process. By September, the state's 63,000-employee prison and parole agency had issued more than 2,100 warning notices, the first wave of several to come.
CCPOA spokesman JeVaughn Baker said Tuesday the concessions aren't "ideal" and acknowledged that some union members are upset at the prospect of moving to remote facilities around the state. "However, we also understand that CDCR is downsizing," Baker said, "and it is better for our members to relocate than to be jobless in this struggling economy."
Ron Yank, who heads Gov. Jerry Brown's Department of Personnel Administration, said that the agreements are a "win-win" for the government and its employees.
California now houses 144,000 inmates in its 33 adult institutions, but Corrections estimates it will shed 20,000 of those individuals by next summer and another 14,000 by July 2013.
The department also is shifting its adult parole responsibilities to local governments, making obsolete some 900 state parole agent and parole support staff jobs.
Correctional officers, for example, had until this week to volunteer to move if they worked at an overstaffed facility to one of five understaffed prisons, including California State Prison, Sacramento, in Folsom, Pelican Bay State Prison near Crescent City and High Desert State Prison near Susanville.
About 200 CCPOA members had volunteered as of Tuesday, Yank said. They'll get between $3,750 and $7,500 to defray moving costs. The state also will give them one day to three days of time off. Employees who want more time can draw up to 10 days from their own accumulated leave credits.
That's a huge savings for the state, which can wind up paying an average $30,000 per employee to assist with moving costs, Yank said. Much of that money usually goes to help with employee housing expenses.
Officers in danger of losing their jobs but who don't want to move voluntarily can bid to join an "overtime avoidance" pool or become permanent-intermittent employees. Those groups will be tapped to fill open shifts that would otherwise be covered by overtime.
Once those two groups are in place, Corrections will post which facilities remain overstaffed and understaffed and which jobs are open.
Officers and other department employees can bid for jobs statewide based on their seniority.
It's a significant change, since CDCR layoffs usually happen on a county-by-county basis. That meant that an employee in, say, Riverside County with seven years of service couldn't displace an employee with less time on the job doing the same work in another county.
The new arrangement "honors the principle of seniority on a statewide basis," Yank said, by allowing the longest-serving employees under threat of layoff to bump less-senior colleagues anywhere in California.
Employees who don't go for any of the first three options could be forced to transfer anyway with a reduced moving allowance while they let the standard layoff process play out, which will take four months.
All the new union agreements allow transferring regular employees to fill positions currently occupied by retirees. The layoffs won't all happen at once. Corrections will be monitoring the prison population, and as it shrinks, the department will issue more notices that employees need to transfer or risk layoff.
The California Correctional Peace Officers Association and five other unions have signed contract amendments for Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation employees that set aside some job protections, drastically cut employees' state-paid moving allowances and aim to reduce prison officer overtime costs. The state estimates the deals will save about $13 million for the current fiscal year, compared with the traditional layoff process. By September, the state's 63,000-employee prison and parole agency had issued more than 2,100 warning notices, the first wave of several to come.
CCPOA spokesman JeVaughn Baker said Tuesday the concessions aren't "ideal" and acknowledged that some union members are upset at the prospect of moving to remote facilities around the state. "However, we also understand that CDCR is downsizing," Baker said, "and it is better for our members to relocate than to be jobless in this struggling economy."
Ron Yank, who heads Gov. Jerry Brown's Department of Personnel Administration, said that the agreements are a "win-win" for the government and its employees.
California now houses 144,000 inmates in its 33 adult institutions, but Corrections estimates it will shed 20,000 of those individuals by next summer and another 14,000 by July 2013.
The department also is shifting its adult parole responsibilities to local governments, making obsolete some 900 state parole agent and parole support staff jobs.
Correctional officers, for example, had until this week to volunteer to move if they worked at an overstaffed facility to one of five understaffed prisons, including California State Prison, Sacramento, in Folsom, Pelican Bay State Prison near Crescent City and High Desert State Prison near Susanville.
About 200 CCPOA members had volunteered as of Tuesday, Yank said. They'll get between $3,750 and $7,500 to defray moving costs. The state also will give them one day to three days of time off. Employees who want more time can draw up to 10 days from their own accumulated leave credits.
That's a huge savings for the state, which can wind up paying an average $30,000 per employee to assist with moving costs, Yank said. Much of that money usually goes to help with employee housing expenses.
Officers in danger of losing their jobs but who don't want to move voluntarily can bid to join an "overtime avoidance" pool or become permanent-intermittent employees. Those groups will be tapped to fill open shifts that would otherwise be covered by overtime.
Once those two groups are in place, Corrections will post which facilities remain overstaffed and understaffed and which jobs are open.
Officers and other department employees can bid for jobs statewide based on their seniority.
It's a significant change, since CDCR layoffs usually happen on a county-by-county basis. That meant that an employee in, say, Riverside County with seven years of service couldn't displace an employee with less time on the job doing the same work in another county.
The new arrangement "honors the principle of seniority on a statewide basis," Yank said, by allowing the longest-serving employees under threat of layoff to bump less-senior colleagues anywhere in California.
Employees who don't go for any of the first three options could be forced to transfer anyway with a reduced moving allowance while they let the standard layoff process play out, which will take four months.
All the new union agreements allow transferring regular employees to fill positions currently occupied by retirees. The layoffs won't all happen at once. Corrections will be monitoring the prison population, and as it shrinks, the department will issue more notices that employees need to transfer or risk layoff.
Death at Corcoran Hospital
CORCORAN — A death early Sunday morning at California State Prison-Corcoran is being investigated as a homicide.
A 59-year-old inmate, serving 25 years to life on a Three Strikes conviction, was pronounced dead shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday at the facility’s John D. Klarich Memorial Hospital. Cause of death had not been determined Sunday, but the Kings County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the death as a homicide.
A 38-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for first degree murder is suspected in the death. He has been at Corcoran since March 2010, and imprisoned since 1998. The dead inmate has been housed at CSPC since August.
The prison’s Investigative Services Unit is cooperating with the investigation, and the office of the Inspector General’s Bureau of Independent Review has been notified.
A 59-year-old inmate, serving 25 years to life on a Three Strikes conviction, was pronounced dead shortly after 5 a.m. Sunday at the facility’s John D. Klarich Memorial Hospital. Cause of death had not been determined Sunday, but the Kings County District Attorney’s Office is investigating the death as a homicide.
A 38-year-old inmate serving a life sentence for first degree murder is suspected in the death. He has been at Corcoran since March 2010, and imprisoned since 1998. The dead inmate has been housed at CSPC since August.
The prison’s Investigative Services Unit is cooperating with the investigation, and the office of the Inspector General’s Bureau of Independent Review has been notified.
Transfers and Medical Insurance
Many staff are planning on putting in their transfer request to avoid the lay off. However, one thing you must consider is your Medical Insurance. I have to admit this by far is not my expertise, so we looked to personnel department for answers. My other site had alot of traffic on this subject. Some staff are asking, "If I transfer and leave my family in So. Cal. how will our Insurance work?"
(Cheryl) Verified today with CCPOA blue shield. If you transfer and family stays here, your family can stay with their primary care provider here. Once you transfer, and find a primary care physician for yourself, you just call CCPOA blue shield (not sure of others yet) and let them know you want to change your primary care only, you can. That way you aren't limited to just urgent care and emergency visits. If you don't change your primary care physician then you will be restricted to emergencies only. Other Insurance carriers may work the same, you can contact member services with your insurance and they will tell you.
Open enrollment is Oct 10 thru Nov 4. Hope this info helps
(Cheryl) Verified today with CCPOA blue shield. If you transfer and family stays here, your family can stay with their primary care provider here. Once you transfer, and find a primary care physician for yourself, you just call CCPOA blue shield (not sure of others yet) and let them know you want to change your primary care only, you can. That way you aren't limited to just urgent care and emergency visits. If you don't change your primary care physician then you will be restricted to emergencies only. Other Insurance carriers may work the same, you can contact member services with your insurance and they will tell you.
Open enrollment is Oct 10 thru Nov 4. Hope this info helps
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Mexican Prison riot
At least 20 inmates were killed and 12 injured in rioting Saturday at a prison that houses members of drug gangs in the violent border city of Matamoros, authorities said. Fighting broke out between two inmates, the Tamaulipas state government's public security office said in a statement, and soon dozens more piled on.
Federal and state police were summoned to help guards restore order at the prison, the statement said. News video showed helicopters hovering over the gray watchtower of the prison.
The state public security office did not say how the inmates were killed, what weapons were used or which gangs the prisoners belonged to. Bodies were being sent to forensic officials for autopsies, the statement said.
Matamoros, in Tamaulipas state, sits across the border from Brownsville, Texas. It has been the scene of a deadly battle between the once-dominant Gulf cartel and the powerful Zetas paramilitary gang, vying for control of the valuable drug- and human-smuggling corridor.
Violent riots are common in Mexican prisons, especially those in the north, where members of rival gangs are often jailed in the same overcrowded institution.
Seven prisoners were killed last week in the state of Nuevo Leon, which borders Tamaulipas. In July, 17 were killed in a riot at a prison in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso.
Federal and state police were summoned to help guards restore order at the prison, the statement said. News video showed helicopters hovering over the gray watchtower of the prison.
The state public security office did not say how the inmates were killed, what weapons were used or which gangs the prisoners belonged to. Bodies were being sent to forensic officials for autopsies, the statement said.
Matamoros, in Tamaulipas state, sits across the border from Brownsville, Texas. It has been the scene of a deadly battle between the once-dominant Gulf cartel and the powerful Zetas paramilitary gang, vying for control of the valuable drug- and human-smuggling corridor.
Violent riots are common in Mexican prisons, especially those in the north, where members of rival gangs are often jailed in the same overcrowded institution.
Seven prisoners were killed last week in the state of Nuevo Leon, which borders Tamaulipas. In July, 17 were killed in a riot at a prison in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Today's Warden Meeting
As I try and prepare to give you all an update on today's current facts. I had a thought, if we would have voted for Meg Whitman, we were in danger of staff cuts, no MOU, Private Prisons and the end to collective Bargaining?
Let's see CCPOA endorsed Jerry Brown, we are facing layoffs, a contract that sucks and someone remind me how much better we are off right now! Hey Mike, how about you come tell staff that NO Officer will be lay ed OFF! Better yet, you signed this side letter, why don't you come tell all the Junior staff why they should keep their heads UP!
Was it me or all of you just as confused as I am. I went to the meeting to try and get information as to pass on. But it seems everything seems to change from meeting to meeting. For one I thought my Military Service would do something for me. Now it seems it will do nothing.
Also I thought if you take the transfer, you would be fairly safe. Well that's not right either.
PICO's OTAPS, nobody is safe if your a junior officer. My take was why would I transfer to the Bay, sale off everything to keep my job. Only to be told later that I could still face the lay off. And now I'm stuck in a County with one Prison and no return rights!!
I know that our CIM Management team is doing there best to sort through all this information. And thanks to Mr. B Pahel, he seems like the most knowledgeable person on the process. He did want everyone to know that his door is open, and he will see you on short notice, just stop by and see him.
My best advise is not to run the rumors, seek the information that is out in writing. If you look at the transfer request you notice there is only 98 jobs available. And Salinas Valley has only 4 spots, why they are even on the list all never know.
A current theme that keeps coming up, is staff are pissed that some will not just retire. Look we have all been there, we were the fish cops, we all paid our dues. You don't know any one's personal situations. This is not about who should retire so that some can keep their jobs. The only agreement on this subject is the fact that the State should offer up some sort of "Golden Handshake", but that's not in the equation. Don't let this very difficult time pit one against the other.
I'm not always politically correct, I sometimes write from the heart. And I'm truly feeling your pain, this is a very difficult situation. I was reminded today, that there was an incident on RCE yesterday, and no matter whats going on "We Brothers in Green stick together", staff responded in full force. There will be a time in the very near future when our numbers will not be the same. And those responders will come in short numbers. But we will "just get er done!"
Have a Safe 8 (my brothers)
Let's see CCPOA endorsed Jerry Brown, we are facing layoffs, a contract that sucks and someone remind me how much better we are off right now! Hey Mike, how about you come tell staff that NO Officer will be lay ed OFF! Better yet, you signed this side letter, why don't you come tell all the Junior staff why they should keep their heads UP!
Was it me or all of you just as confused as I am. I went to the meeting to try and get information as to pass on. But it seems everything seems to change from meeting to meeting. For one I thought my Military Service would do something for me. Now it seems it will do nothing.
Also I thought if you take the transfer, you would be fairly safe. Well that's not right either.
PICO's OTAPS, nobody is safe if your a junior officer. My take was why would I transfer to the Bay, sale off everything to keep my job. Only to be told later that I could still face the lay off. And now I'm stuck in a County with one Prison and no return rights!!
I know that our CIM Management team is doing there best to sort through all this information. And thanks to Mr. B Pahel, he seems like the most knowledgeable person on the process. He did want everyone to know that his door is open, and he will see you on short notice, just stop by and see him.
My best advise is not to run the rumors, seek the information that is out in writing. If you look at the transfer request you notice there is only 98 jobs available. And Salinas Valley has only 4 spots, why they are even on the list all never know.
A current theme that keeps coming up, is staff are pissed that some will not just retire. Look we have all been there, we were the fish cops, we all paid our dues. You don't know any one's personal situations. This is not about who should retire so that some can keep their jobs. The only agreement on this subject is the fact that the State should offer up some sort of "Golden Handshake", but that's not in the equation. Don't let this very difficult time pit one against the other.
I'm not always politically correct, I sometimes write from the heart. And I'm truly feeling your pain, this is a very difficult situation. I was reminded today, that there was an incident on RCE yesterday, and no matter whats going on "We Brothers in Green stick together", staff responded in full force. There will be a time in the very near future when our numbers will not be the same. And those responders will come in short numbers. But we will "just get er done!"
Have a Safe 8 (my brothers)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Message from CCPOA
Ccpoa Calif Correctional
REALIGNMENT AGREEMENT INFO
Understandably many officers have concerns about the state's realignment plan and have questions over the agreement CCPOA came to with the state in order to help reduce the chance of any lay-offs. We have put the agreement on the CCPOA Webpage at the link below. If you have any unanswered questions, please contact your institution's Field Rep. at their prospective office; CCPOA So. Office is 800-221-7397, Central Office is 800-832-1415 and Main is 800-821-6443
http://www.ccpoa.org/news/realignment_agreement/
REALIGNMENT AGREEMENT INFO
Understandably many officers have concerns about the state's realignment plan and have questions over the agreement CCPOA came to with the state in order to help reduce the chance of any lay-offs. We have put the agreement on the CCPOA Webpage at the link below. If you have any unanswered questions, please contact your institution's Field Rep. at their prospective office; CCPOA So. Office is 800-221-7397, Central Office is 800-832-1415 and Main is 800-821-6443
http://www.ccpoa.org/news/realignment_agreement/
CA inmates Riot in Oklahoma
SAYRE, Okla. (AP) -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has sent a team of special agents and investigators to the North Fork Correctional Facility in Oklahoma, where widespread fighting between inmates left 46 prisoners injured.
Officials said in a statement Wednesday that inmates at the private prison are still confined to their housing units. Of those who were hurt, 30 were treated by prison medical staff and 16 were sent to hospitals. Eight inmates remained hospitalized, and three of them are in critical condition.
An Oklahoma Department of Corrections official said fighting broke out about 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. All of the inmates are from California, which sent them to Oklahoma because of overcrowding problems.
California officials say the team will help prison staff find out which inmates were involved in the fighting
Officials said in a statement Wednesday that inmates at the private prison are still confined to their housing units. Of those who were hurt, 30 were treated by prison medical staff and 16 were sent to hospitals. Eight inmates remained hospitalized, and three of them are in critical condition.
An Oklahoma Department of Corrections official said fighting broke out about 11:45 a.m. Tuesday. All of the inmates are from California, which sent them to Oklahoma because of overcrowding problems.
California officials say the team will help prison staff find out which inmates were involved in the fighting
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
CIM Town Hall Meeting with the Warden
With the start of the Public Safety Realignment Transfer processes, to ensure impacted staff have an understanding of these processes so they can make a well informed decision, a Realignment Transfer Process information session for interested custody staff will be hosted by Warden Fakhoury, Thursday October 13, 2011 in A/B Classroom from 1400-1600 hours. Executive level staff will be available to answer any questions. On and off duty custody staff are invited to attend however, overtime is not authorized for this session.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Now Out of State (Blacks vs Hispanics)
SAYRE, Okla.—Widespread fighting broke out at an Oklahoma prison Tuesday between black and Hispanic California inmates, sending at least 21 inmates to the infirmary or hospitals before police and prison guards were able to restore order, authorities said.
The fighting began shortly before noon at the North Fork Corrections Facility, a privately run medium-security prison in Sayre that houses 2,381 inmates from California. Greg Williams, an official with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, told The Associated Press that the fighting appeared to have been between black and Hispanic inmates, but he didn't know if it was gang-related.
No staff members or law enforcement officers were hurt, but 14 inmates were treated at the prison infirmary and seven others were taken to a hospital, Williams said. At least one inmate had been stabbed, he said.
Six Oklahoma state police units had been sent to the prison and order had been restored by mid-afternoon. Some Hispanic inmates barricaded themselves in a dining hall and had not been returned to their cells, but they were contained and were not destroying property, Williams said.
Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said she didn't know how many inmates were involved in the brawls, but that fights reportedly took place in various places within the prison
The fighting began shortly before noon at the North Fork Corrections Facility, a privately run medium-security prison in Sayre that houses 2,381 inmates from California. Greg Williams, an official with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, told The Associated Press that the fighting appeared to have been between black and Hispanic inmates, but he didn't know if it was gang-related.
No staff members or law enforcement officers were hurt, but 14 inmates were treated at the prison infirmary and seven others were taken to a hospital, Williams said. At least one inmate had been stabbed, he said.
Six Oklahoma state police units had been sent to the prison and order had been restored by mid-afternoon. Some Hispanic inmates barricaded themselves in a dining hall and had not been returned to their cells, but they were contained and were not destroying property, Williams said.
Terry Thornton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, said she didn't know how many inmates were involved in the brawls, but that fights reportedly took place in various places within the prison
Attention C/O's & Limited Termers
First Opportunity – This is an opportunity for all of the above mentioned staff (limited term Sergeants and CC I’s must have mandatory return rights to Correctional Officer) to place their request in to transfer to one of the five institutions that have vacancies and are accepting Permanent Full Time employees. These requests must be submitted BY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2011 0900 HOURS into the Personnel Assignment Office. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OR PROCESSED. There are per diem costs included as well as the availability of time to make these moves.
Second Opportunity – This opportunity is for those staff who will be identified as the impacted staff. This will be the opportunity for these staff to apply for either a PICO or an OTAP position. The cut line for these impacted staff is approximately 159. This number will be a fluctuating number based on movement to other institutions, retirements, etc. Again, the opportunity for PICO or OTAP is only for those staff who are below the cut line in seniority. The request form for OTAP or PICO will be accepted NO EARLIER THAN OCTOBER 27, 2011 and must be in Personnel Assignment Office NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 3, 2011. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OR PROCESSED
There will be a third opportunity, however, we have not received the final documents for this process. This will be an opportunity for CIM staff (as noted in first opportunity) to apply for a vacant position at any institution statewide and will probably be at the end of November into December 2011.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES IN THIS PROCESS. DEPENDING UPON DEMOTIONAL BUMPING AND ONE’S SENIORITY SCORE WITHIN AN IMPACTED COUNTY, AN EMPLOYEE WITH LOW SENIORITY WITHIN THAT COUNTY THEORETICALLY STILL COULD BE LAID OFF AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE STATE RESTRICTION OF APPOINTMENT (SROA)/LAYOFF PROCESS AND/OR PERMANENTLY INVOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED.
Cathy Etchebehere
Associate Warden
Second Opportunity – This opportunity is for those staff who will be identified as the impacted staff. This will be the opportunity for these staff to apply for either a PICO or an OTAP position. The cut line for these impacted staff is approximately 159. This number will be a fluctuating number based on movement to other institutions, retirements, etc. Again, the opportunity for PICO or OTAP is only for those staff who are below the cut line in seniority. The request form for OTAP or PICO will be accepted NO EARLIER THAN OCTOBER 27, 2011 and must be in Personnel Assignment Office NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 3, 2011. NO LATE SUBMISSIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED OR PROCESSED
There will be a third opportunity, however, we have not received the final documents for this process. This will be an opportunity for CIM staff (as noted in first opportunity) to apply for a vacant position at any institution statewide and will probably be at the end of November into December 2011.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES IN THIS PROCESS. DEPENDING UPON DEMOTIONAL BUMPING AND ONE’S SENIORITY SCORE WITHIN AN IMPACTED COUNTY, AN EMPLOYEE WITH LOW SENIORITY WITHIN THAT COUNTY THEORETICALLY STILL COULD BE LAID OFF AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE STATE RESTRICTION OF APPOINTMENT (SROA)/LAYOFF PROCESS AND/OR PERMANENTLY INVOLUNTARILY TRANSFERRED.
Cathy Etchebehere
Associate Warden
Kudo's to CIM2 Staff
It often pays off to know your inmates and work your housing units. An alert Officer received information that some contraband may be entering the facility via visiting.
The Officer notified her Supervisor and an inmate was pulled over and caught with a substantial amount of contraband. Good team effort by both watches!
(due to the pending investigation, details are limited) I know how the blog police are on me!!
Great Job West yard staff!!!
Have a Safe 8
The Officer notified her Supervisor and an inmate was pulled over and caught with a substantial amount of contraband. Good team effort by both watches!
(due to the pending investigation, details are limited) I know how the blog police are on me!!
Have a Safe 8
Monday, October 10, 2011
It's been rockin all over in Co. and State, watch your backs
A brawl involving dozens of inmates broke out at a Los Angeles County jail Sunday afternoon, according to a Sheriff’s Department statement released Sunday night.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m., fighting erupted at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic. In all, 63 inmates were involved in the fracas, which was contained to a dormitory area at the facility, Capt. Mike Parker said in a press release.
Jail personnel and a special anti-riot team of sheriff’s deputies responded to the fighting. When the inmates ignored orders to stop, the deputies threw “clear out” gas and “sting balls,” which deploy rubber pellets, into the area, Parker said. Calm was restored after about 10 minutes, according to the press release.
The reason for the brawl was not immediately known. One inmate suffered a small puncture wound to the stomach area and was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Twenty other inmates received treatment at the jail for minor scrapes and scratches.
The jail remained on a “modified lockdown status” throughout Sunday as a precaution, Parker said.
The Sheriff’s Department’s network of jails has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The Times has published a series of articles regarding allegations of inmate abuses by deputies. Sheriff Lee Baca has formed two task forces to look into the claims, while critics have urged the FBI to launch a broad investigation into the jails.
Shortly after 1:30 p.m., fighting erupted at the Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic. In all, 63 inmates were involved in the fracas, which was contained to a dormitory area at the facility, Capt. Mike Parker said in a press release.
Jail personnel and a special anti-riot team of sheriff’s deputies responded to the fighting. When the inmates ignored orders to stop, the deputies threw “clear out” gas and “sting balls,” which deploy rubber pellets, into the area, Parker said. Calm was restored after about 10 minutes, according to the press release.
The reason for the brawl was not immediately known. One inmate suffered a small puncture wound to the stomach area and was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Twenty other inmates received treatment at the jail for minor scrapes and scratches.
The jail remained on a “modified lockdown status” throughout Sunday as a precaution, Parker said.
The Sheriff’s Department’s network of jails has been the subject of intense scrutiny in recent weeks. The Times has published a series of articles regarding allegations of inmate abuses by deputies. Sheriff Lee Baca has formed two task forces to look into the claims, while critics have urged the FBI to launch a broad investigation into the jails.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Native American Volunteers
When religious volunteers enter your yard are they properly being searched. Or has administrations given these folks a pass? We all hear about it when we delay their program!
Well done at RJD! The ISU team made this bust, as Native American Volunteers attempted to bring in contraband into the institution. The Ole Phone in the cake trick is a classic!
Well done at RJD! The ISU team made this bust, as Native American Volunteers attempted to bring in contraband into the institution. The Ole Phone in the cake trick is a classic!
Saturday, October 8, 2011
CVSP Officer Arrested
BLYTHE - Chuckawalla Valley State Prison (CVSP) Correctional Officer Rafael Salcedo, Jr. was booked into Riverside County Jail on Sunday on suspicion of bringing drugs onto prison grounds along with other drug related charges.
Salcedo, 35, and a 12-year veteran of CVSP, was taken into custody on the prison grounds by agents from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Office of Internal Affairs (OIA).
He faces charges of possession of narcotics; marijuana for sale; conspiracy to commit crimes; possession of a controlled substance; and bribery of a public officer.
He is currently on administrative leave pending investigation by OIA.
Salcedo was released on a $50,000 bail on Oct. 2.
Salcedo, 35, and a 12-year veteran of CVSP, was taken into custody on the prison grounds by agents from California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Office of Internal Affairs (OIA).
He faces charges of possession of narcotics; marijuana for sale; conspiracy to commit crimes; possession of a controlled substance; and bribery of a public officer.
He is currently on administrative leave pending investigation by OIA.
Friday, October 7, 2011
A Funeral for a LAC Brother
Today was the Funeral for LAC ISU Officer "Tommy Hayes". Lord you will have someone by your side that will have your Back! Please take care of Brother "Tommy". Thanks to all that made the drive and paid their respects to Officer Hayes and his family.
Thanks CIM Management for allowing our Honor Guard & Staff to attend the Services
Thursday, October 6, 2011
CIM Chapter update Information (Fred Stevens)
On October 1,2011 the wheels of AB109 started to move forward. We at CIM will see changes at RCE first. RCE will become CIM-III. The staffing will be reduced as the Gym and Day Rooms close. Your local Chapter is currently in negotiations with management and CDCR on the CIM mission change.
The first thing we will notice is the job changes and deletions. We do not agree with the staffing package that they plan to move forward with, but if you have been affected by the changes this is what you need to know. As per BU6 MOU Article 12.07 (2) Employees displaced from a PPPA as a result of a deactivation will be placed in an assignment with the same RDOs if available, and substantially similar start/stop times. This means that you will be placed in a management post on the same watch with the same RDO's or you will be placed in an OTAP pool, attached to the watch on the same shift and RDO. They can however give you different hours such as if you are on second watch you can have a start time of 0400, 0600, 0730 and 0800 or varied hours depending on the post. If you are placed in OTAP you will be on a daily hire and will be placed in a vacant post by the SAB hiring sergeant.
The second thing you need to know is 12.07 (7) If after the bid process has occurred the RDOs and start/stop times attached to a post are significantly changed, the affected employee may choose to remain in the post; and/or participate in the continuous bid process. Management has made some changes to some RDO's so that they could get the relief pattern to work. So if your RDO's changed, you can choose to stay in the post and bid job or continuous bid out as you see fit.
Let me kill the rumor now, we will not have a new big bid. The next big bid should take place at the end of 2013.
Other issues
SICK LEAVE
We talked with management on October 4, 2011 regarding sick leave. We talked about the unclear work rules regarding sick leave usage as well as FMLA concerns. Management stated their concerns with budgetary issues and the impact it has on CIM. An emphasis was placed on giving our supervisors a larger role in the actual supervision of sick leave as well as managements understanding of Officers use of sick leave for documented blocks of sick leave used for major illnesses and injuries. We agreed that we should all be in compliance with Departmental policy as well as FMLA protected sick leave.
We (CCPOA) will be setting up an appointment with the Department of Labor to learn more on the issue and to make sure that CIM is within FMLA standards. If you are having an issue with FMLA, please notify a Union Steward ASAP. Also on FMLA, the time line is changing for usage. Starting January 1, 2012, FMLA will be run on a calendar year. This means that even if you got authorized FMLA in 2011 last month, this month or even December, you will need to redo your paperwork for 2012. No more rolling twelve (12) month periods. The change was posted at all facilities in several places, look for the flyers.
HOLIDAY AND PRIORITY HOLIDAY TIME OFF
We have been talking with management about holiday and priority holiday burns. The plan is close to being done and we will set a date for a meet and discuss soon, so that we can work out the details. This has been a difficult issue because the only place we can get the staffing from is the VR pool and almost every vacation week for the year has been booked.
CONTINUOUS BID
For some reason the continuous bid process has had some issues of its owen the last couple months. It has been difficult for us to understand how the continues bid has worked so well for the past nine years and now we are running into problems. We have been talking with management on this issue and both sides would like to resolve it. We will keep you posted on our progress.
VACATION CANCELLATIONS
There has been a long standing process for canceling vacation weeks, all we need to do is follow it. One of the issues is that we fail to track our vacations/standby vacations or when we contact Personnel Assignments and they say that we don't have the approved vacation week yet, we don't cancel the week and surprise, on Monday we show up to work and we have a vacation. Remember it is every employees responsibility to check the Personal Assignment Movement Board daily. Management also expressed to us that if you request a vacation and you do not have the time on the books, that you should be sure to cancel the vacation or they will be holding us accountable.
2012 VACATION BIDS
The bids were supposed to be posted on Monday October 3rd. Management has delayed the posting because they have not received clear direction on how many VR posts we will have. I have read the email that the State put out on the subject and it is unclear as to its direction. CCPOA will be meeting in Sacramento tomorrow and will try and clear this issue up. I have also talked with CDCR Labor and they are also looking into this issue. If it runs on to long we will talk with management about changing the time line for the bid process.
CONTROLS AND R&R'S
Management has noticed CCPOA on the SOMS and CCPOA will meet with them at a State wide table. To my knowledge CCPOA has not been noticed on any change to R&R's but we do expect a notice on this soon. Remember the State is required to notice CCPOA 30 days prior to implementation.
SOMS
We were told that management will be identifying those that have not attended SOMS training and will do a personal contact for makeup training dates.
AB109/LAYOFFS
CCPOA has recently signed an agreement with the State. The agreement has not been released for inspection by the membership as of October 5, 2011.
As soon as it is released we will forward it via email as well as post it on the CCPOA boards. Management has been having meetings and giving out information but they have not seen the agreement as well. We will be discussing the agreement at the Chapter meeting on October 11, 2011. We will also get the agreement out to union stewards so that they can answer your questions.
IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!!!!
I cannot express enough concern on this issue. This issue sums up every thing that we have posted here. It is important for you to keep copies of all your work related documents!
OFF DUTY WEAPON QUALIFICATION
Soon you will see a new/old policy in the IST bulletin regarding off duty weapons, it will be letting us know that if we carry an off duty weapon that we must sign a form and submit it into our personnel file. This is just a heads up to let you know to look for it so that no one is found out of compliance.
Please if you have any subjects that need to be looked into or if you have any questions, please contact a steward so that we can get you the answer.
The first thing we will notice is the job changes and deletions. We do not agree with the staffing package that they plan to move forward with, but if you have been affected by the changes this is what you need to know. As per BU6 MOU Article 12.07 (2) Employees displaced from a PPPA as a result of a deactivation will be placed in an assignment with the same RDOs if available, and substantially similar start/stop times. This means that you will be placed in a management post on the same watch with the same RDO's or you will be placed in an OTAP pool, attached to the watch on the same shift and RDO. They can however give you different hours such as if you are on second watch you can have a start time of 0400, 0600, 0730 and 0800 or varied hours depending on the post. If you are placed in OTAP you will be on a daily hire and will be placed in a vacant post by the SAB hiring sergeant.
The second thing you need to know is 12.07 (7) If after the bid process has occurred the RDOs and start/stop times attached to a post are significantly changed, the affected employee may choose to remain in the post; and/or participate in the continuous bid process. Management has made some changes to some RDO's so that they could get the relief pattern to work. So if your RDO's changed, you can choose to stay in the post and bid job or continuous bid out as you see fit.
Let me kill the rumor now, we will not have a new big bid. The next big bid should take place at the end of 2013.
Other issues
SICK LEAVE
We talked with management on October 4, 2011 regarding sick leave. We talked about the unclear work rules regarding sick leave usage as well as FMLA concerns. Management stated their concerns with budgetary issues and the impact it has on CIM. An emphasis was placed on giving our supervisors a larger role in the actual supervision of sick leave as well as managements understanding of Officers use of sick leave for documented blocks of sick leave used for major illnesses and injuries. We agreed that we should all be in compliance with Departmental policy as well as FMLA protected sick leave.
We (CCPOA) will be setting up an appointment with the Department of Labor to learn more on the issue and to make sure that CIM is within FMLA standards. If you are having an issue with FMLA, please notify a Union Steward ASAP. Also on FMLA, the time line is changing for usage. Starting January 1, 2012, FMLA will be run on a calendar year. This means that even if you got authorized FMLA in 2011 last month, this month or even December, you will need to redo your paperwork for 2012. No more rolling twelve (12) month periods. The change was posted at all facilities in several places, look for the flyers.
HOLIDAY AND PRIORITY HOLIDAY TIME OFF
We have been talking with management about holiday and priority holiday burns. The plan is close to being done and we will set a date for a meet and discuss soon, so that we can work out the details. This has been a difficult issue because the only place we can get the staffing from is the VR pool and almost every vacation week for the year has been booked.
CONTINUOUS BID
For some reason the continuous bid process has had some issues of its owen the last couple months. It has been difficult for us to understand how the continues bid has worked so well for the past nine years and now we are running into problems. We have been talking with management on this issue and both sides would like to resolve it. We will keep you posted on our progress.
VACATION CANCELLATIONS
There has been a long standing process for canceling vacation weeks, all we need to do is follow it. One of the issues is that we fail to track our vacations/standby vacations or when we contact Personnel Assignments and they say that we don't have the approved vacation week yet, we don't cancel the week and surprise, on Monday we show up to work and we have a vacation. Remember it is every employees responsibility to check the Personal Assignment Movement Board daily. Management also expressed to us that if you request a vacation and you do not have the time on the books, that you should be sure to cancel the vacation or they will be holding us accountable.
2012 VACATION BIDS
The bids were supposed to be posted on Monday October 3rd. Management has delayed the posting because they have not received clear direction on how many VR posts we will have. I have read the email that the State put out on the subject and it is unclear as to its direction. CCPOA will be meeting in Sacramento tomorrow and will try and clear this issue up. I have also talked with CDCR Labor and they are also looking into this issue. If it runs on to long we will talk with management about changing the time line for the bid process.
CONTROLS AND R&R'S
Management has noticed CCPOA on the SOMS and CCPOA will meet with them at a State wide table. To my knowledge CCPOA has not been noticed on any change to R&R's but we do expect a notice on this soon. Remember the State is required to notice CCPOA 30 days prior to implementation.
SOMS
We were told that management will be identifying those that have not attended SOMS training and will do a personal contact for makeup training dates.
AB109/LAYOFFS
CCPOA has recently signed an agreement with the State. The agreement has not been released for inspection by the membership as of October 5, 2011.
As soon as it is released we will forward it via email as well as post it on the CCPOA boards. Management has been having meetings and giving out information but they have not seen the agreement as well. We will be discussing the agreement at the Chapter meeting on October 11, 2011. We will also get the agreement out to union stewards so that they can answer your questions.
IMPORTANT NOTE!!!!!!!
I cannot express enough concern on this issue. This issue sums up every thing that we have posted here. It is important for you to keep copies of all your work related documents!
OFF DUTY WEAPON QUALIFICATION
Soon you will see a new/old policy in the IST bulletin regarding off duty weapons, it will be letting us know that if we carry an off duty weapon that we must sign a form and submit it into our personnel file. This is just a heads up to let you know to look for it so that no one is found out of compliance.
Please if you have any subjects that need to be looked into or if you have any questions, please contact a steward so that we can get you the answer.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Finally some word about the Staff Reductions
I heard from many of you today that the last couple of days CIM management is making the rounds on the yards conducting meetings. They are attempting to give an overview of what they have been told about the statewide reductions. It may not be what we all wanted to hear, but at least they are finally giving us something. This is a brief summary of what I have heard:
There will be three phases of the reduction plan. The first phase will be November 1st and basically this will be the date layoff notices go out. The magic number is less than 10 years. CIM specifically will downsize with the number being floated as approximately 200 staff cuts. That would bring CIM to approximately 800 Officers. A supervisor asked about reductions, but the A/W giving the briefing, had no answer for supervisors at this time.
The second phase will roll out early next year. Staff will have options, to transfer to a high vacancy prison, roll over to PIE status, CIM will have about 90 PIE slots (they changed the name of PIE) or take the lay off.
Phase three, apparently SAC HQ will send out teams to meet with staff individually to go over options. This phase the information was very vague. So I don't have any further info. to report here.
The information I received was second hand, as I have not attended any of the meetings that are taking place. The A/W told staff that CDCr is going forward at this time and staff should prepare for the cuts. It was also stated that junior staff should consider all options, as CIM will cut staff and positions. Staff were instructed to check the CDCR website for more information, as the site will be updated as cuts continue.
I'm told that our local CIM chapter has the layoff plan and currently reviewing it. I hope to hear from Fred, so that he can offer more information to the membership.
If any of the information I'm reporting is inaccurate, I invite CIM management to correct any information that is wrong. CIM staff would appreciate it!!!!
There will be three phases of the reduction plan. The first phase will be November 1st and basically this will be the date layoff notices go out. The magic number is less than 10 years. CIM specifically will downsize with the number being floated as approximately 200 staff cuts. That would bring CIM to approximately 800 Officers. A supervisor asked about reductions, but the A/W giving the briefing, had no answer for supervisors at this time.
The second phase will roll out early next year. Staff will have options, to transfer to a high vacancy prison, roll over to PIE status, CIM will have about 90 PIE slots (they changed the name of PIE) or take the lay off.
Phase three, apparently SAC HQ will send out teams to meet with staff individually to go over options. This phase the information was very vague. So I don't have any further info. to report here.
The information I received was second hand, as I have not attended any of the meetings that are taking place. The A/W told staff that CDCr is going forward at this time and staff should prepare for the cuts. It was also stated that junior staff should consider all options, as CIM will cut staff and positions. Staff were instructed to check the CDCR website for more information, as the site will be updated as cuts continue.
I'm told that our local CIM chapter has the layoff plan and currently reviewing it. I hope to hear from Fred, so that he can offer more information to the membership.
If any of the information I'm reporting is inaccurate, I invite CIM management to correct any information that is wrong. CIM staff would appreciate it!!!!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
What a C/O should be David Peterson
It is with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of former CIM Officer David Peterson. David passed away the morning of September 29, 2011, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Many of you should remember David as he was a great officer working in Palm Hall. Despite his battle with illness he came to work every day that he could. Often times you could see him hurting but he kept on moving, lending a hand to his Palm Hall partners.
God Bless the Peterson family
It is with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of former CIM Officer David Peterson. David passed away the morning of September 29, 2011, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Many of you should remember David as he was a great officer working in Palm Hall. Despite his battle with illness he came to work every day that he could. Often times you could see him hurting but he kept on moving, lending a hand to his Palm Hall partners.
God Bless the Peterson family
It wasn't just a Toy
Serious Threat to Institution Safety & Security (Remote Controlled Plane)
September 19, 2011 - A remote controlled model plane was seen flying very low over the prison on Saturday, September 17th and Monday, September 19th. On Saturday staff were unable to find the operator of the plane however on Monday, ISU staff were able to locate the plane’s operator. The pilot was a civilian identified as Dave Rezendes, who was found inside a cargo trailer parked on the property across from the facility several hundred yards down the road.
The pilot was flying the plane using video equipment which was supplying a live video feed to a monitor and DVR recorder on the inside of the cargo trailer. The DVR recorder was confiscated by ISU staff pending charges. When questioned, the civilian insisted that he was not flying over the prison and that it must have been someone else. However, a review of the video reveals that the plane took off from the cargo trailer and headed straight towards the facility making several passes over all three yards at SCC. The plane flew extremely low, below the high mast lighting, sometimes appearing to be only about twenty (20) feet over portions of the facility buildings. The model plane had about a six foot wingspan. This matter is currently being looked into by ISU and charges with the local Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office are pending.
September 19, 2011 - A remote controlled model plane was seen flying very low over the prison on Saturday, September 17th and Monday, September 19th. On Saturday staff were unable to find the operator of the plane however on Monday, ISU staff were able to locate the plane’s operator. The pilot was a civilian identified as Dave Rezendes, who was found inside a cargo trailer parked on the property across from the facility several hundred yards down the road.
The pilot was flying the plane using video equipment which was supplying a live video feed to a monitor and DVR recorder on the inside of the cargo trailer. The DVR recorder was confiscated by ISU staff pending charges. When questioned, the civilian insisted that he was not flying over the prison and that it must have been someone else. However, a review of the video reveals that the plane took off from the cargo trailer and headed straight towards the facility making several passes over all three yards at SCC. The plane flew extremely low, below the high mast lighting, sometimes appearing to be only about twenty (20) feet over portions of the facility buildings. The model plane had about a six foot wingspan. This matter is currently being looked into by ISU and charges with the local Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office are pending.
Monday, October 3, 2011
CCPOA on Furlough Case
State Board of Directors:
Late this afternoon the California Court of Appeal issued its decision in CCPOA’s furlough case. The Court of Appeal followed the reasoning of the California Supreme Court in the Professional Engineerscase and overturned our case which we previously won in the Alameda Superior Court. This unfortunately puts our members in the same position as all other furloughed state workers whose cases have been denied.
We obviously disagree with the court’s decision. Over the coming days we will be closely reviewing the decision and evaluating our options in light of the court’s ruling.
We will provide more information as it becomes available. In the meantime the link to the court’s full decisionis attached.
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/A127292.PDF
Late this afternoon the California Court of Appeal issued its decision in CCPOA’s furlough case. The Court of Appeal followed the reasoning of the California Supreme Court in the Professional Engineerscase and overturned our case which we previously won in the Alameda Superior Court. This unfortunately puts our members in the same position as all other furloughed state workers whose cases have been denied.
We obviously disagree with the court’s decision. Over the coming days we will be closely reviewing the decision and evaluating our options in light of the court’s ruling.
We will provide more information as it becomes available. In the meantime the link to the court’s full decisionis attached.
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/documents/A127292.PDF
$500.000 CCPOA direct deposit
Last month, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association made its first court-ordered $500,000 deposit while it appeals a multimillion-dollar defamation case that it lost last year.
The payment is part of the cash-and-property collateral ordered last month by federal Judge Lawrence Karlton while the union appeals Dawe v. CUSA. While the union presses its case, it must make quarterly half-million-dollar payments into a court-controlled account. The money and four union-owned properties, including CCPOA's West Sacramento headquarters, are collateral securing the $5 million it currently owes businessman Brian Dawe and two other men after a federal jury decided the union had defamed them.
The payment is part of the cash-and-property collateral ordered last month by federal Judge Lawrence Karlton while the union appeals Dawe v. CUSA. While the union presses its case, it must make quarterly half-million-dollar payments into a court-controlled account. The money and four union-owned properties, including CCPOA's West Sacramento headquarters, are collateral securing the $5 million it currently owes businessman Brian Dawe and two other men after a federal jury decided the union had defamed them.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
God Bless Officer Thomas Hayes
It is with great sadness that I must report that LAC ISU Officer "Tommy Hayes" was discovered 9-30-11 at approximately 1:00pm by searches near the channel in Pearblossom. There are some of his close partners with heavy hearts at CIM that talk very highly of Tommy.
As soon as LAC releases funeral arrangements, I will post them.
Prayers and thoughts for the family of T. Hayes.
As soon as LAC releases funeral arrangements, I will post them.
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