Walton Deputies To Unionize.

Beach Fanatic

Oct 21, '08 · 2:18 PM59,939

Congrats my fellow public servants. I want to encourage you to vote yes when the time comes. Don't let the comments sway you from protecting your job. I have read what Mike Adkinson has said and if he really had any realistic knowledge he would know that if he is elected he will be involved in the negotiations. At least he has said he is not ANTI-UNION which will concern the Republican Party which seems to have problems with UNIONS. Mike was even a member for 13 years, so hopefully, should he win the election, he will be more apt to work with LABOR than against them. Hopefully Danny will also be on thed same page as to working with LABOR than fighting with them. Had the politicians been addressing the concerns of those who worked for them maybe they would not be in this situation. Lets look at some events that may have caused the employees to consider UNIONIZING.
1> Being charged $100 a month for driving there vehicle home. I know that was recinded, but if they could have they would have.
2> Not being compensated for hours worked. As I understand, Deputies are compensated for overtime with Compensatory Time but are limited in using it which I understand that to be a violation of the FLSA. I had a friend who retired and had a large amount of comp time he lost when he retired. NOT FAIR TO HIM OR HIS FAMILY.
3> 2 Female Deputies basically terminated for being pregnant.
These are just the things that I know of and am sure there are other HORROR Stories going back farther than Ralph or even Quinn.
Brothers and Sisters, I'll stand with you for equitable treatment, fair pay and just cause. Take the politics out of who gets promoted, or who gets the plum assignments and at least start having a say in those things you can have a hand in changing.

Edited Oct 21, '08 · 2:22 PM

Replies

414

Beach Lover

Jan 6, '09 · 10:22 PM#377

If they could not reach a agreement it then would go to Arbratration and their decision is binding. This is how i understand how things in a union works.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 6, '09 · 11:05 PM#378

If they could not reach a agreement it then would go to Arbratration and their decision is binding. This is how i understand how things in a union works.

Arbitration with whom? Who would be arbitrating this agreement? A lot of I thinks and probably would information in this thread, I am looking for how it is going to be.

SoWal Expert

Jan 6, '09 · 11:09 PM#379

Why would it go to arbitration? If they didn't get enough votes to unionize, wouldn't it just not happen? :idontno:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 6, '09 · 11:17 PM#380

Why would it go to arbitration? If they didn't get enough votes to unionize, wouldn't it just not happen?

If they were to unionize and could not reach a contractual agreement. That is what I am wondering. Then what?

SoWal Expert

Jan 6, '09 · 11:18 PM#381

Since we are still talking about it and the new sheriff was sworn in days ago (did that happen at midnight or noon BTW?) I would assume we have a barn door closing, horse long gone situation. :idontno:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 6, '09 · 11:26 PM#382

Since we are still talking about it and the new sheriff was sworn in days ago (did that happen at midnight or noon BTW?) I would assume we have a barn door closing, horse long gone situation.

He was sworn in at 12:01 AM on 1-1-09 and then sworn in again this morning. The first few days were part of a gubernatorial appointment.

There have been alluded improprieties on either on hear or some other board I have read. Someone said ballots were out so they still might unionize. I have my doubts from what I am hearing.

SoWal Expert

Jan 6, '09 · 11:38 PM#383

The reason I asked for a time clarification was that someone asked me the very valid question "Isn't midnight New Year's Eve a bad time to be having law enforcement all in one location being sworn in rather than patrolling?". :idontno:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 6, '09 · 11:48 PM#384

The reason I asked for a time clarification was that someone asked me the very valid question "Isn't midnight New Year's Eve a bad time to be having law enforcement all in one location being sworn in rather than patrolling?".

Yes, that is why they swore a lot of the off duty and north end, then went around the county introducing the command staff and swearing in the rest of the deputies. I understand they even went to Baytowne around 1 AM or so. Making a full circle and finishing up at the Sheriff's office around 10 or so the next day. I was told that they made five different stops to make sure everyone was done as expeditiously as possible.

Beach Lover

Jan 7, '09 · 8:52 PM#385

Arbitration with whom? Who would be arbitrating this agreement? A lot of I thinks and probably would information in this thread, I am looking for how it is going to be.

There is people that are certified to do arbitrations and you use one of them. I know Amy Perry is one from the Law office in destin.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 8, '09 · 6:26 AM#386

There is people that are certified to do arbitrations and you use one of them. I know Amy Perry is one from the Law office in destin.

You win again. Your knowledge on these issues is astounding. :floor:

Beach Lover

Jan 8, '09 · 7:27 PM#387

I was speaking with some SO who was demoted today and they sure wish they would have supported the PBA and not thinking the Mike would not demote anyone in rank in the SO. If they were in the PBA in a protected position their job position whould have been saved.

SoWal Expert

Jan 8, '09 · 7:48 PM#388

What was the general reason for the demotion?

I know there were some staff changes with the new Sheriff, but since the only specific example I know of was recently charged with speeding and DUI my sympathy level is currently rather low. :roll:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 8, '09 · 8:19 PM#389

I was speaking with some SO who was demoted today and they sure wish they would have supported the PBA and not thinking the Mike would not demote anyone in rank in the SO. If they were in the PBA in a protected position their job position whould have been saved.

How could rank have been protected? If the ability to demote was not a possibility then the deputy would not have had a job. Deputies have to be re-appointed every four years when the Sheriff is re-appointed, and I can not think of how you could force someone to appoint someone else if they chose not too. Not to say that you may not have to keep paying them, but if you refuse to appoint them then what?

And would administrative rank positions be protected? So you are saying that the citizens of Walton County can go and overwhelmingly tell someone that they now want them to be Sheriff to make the changes that need to be made, but one last thing, you have to keep all the people in place that have not been doing what we want done during the last administration.

:funn:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 8, '09 · 8:20 PM#390

What was the general reason for the demotion?

I know there were some staff changes with the new Sheriff, but since the only specific example I know of was recently charged with speeding and DUI my sympathy level is currently rather low. :roll:

And he was just not re-appointed.

Beach Lover

Jan 8, '09 · 9:11 PM#391

How could rank have been protected? If the ability to demote was not a possibility then the deputy would not have had a job. Deputies have to be re-appointed every four years when the Sheriff is re-appointed, and I can not think of how you could force someone to appoint someone else if they chose not too. Not to say that you may not have to keep paying them, but if you refuse to appoint them then what?

And would administrative rank positions be protected? So you are saying that the citizens of Walton County can go and overwhelmingly tell someone that they now want them to be Sheriff to make the changes that need to be made, but one last thing, you have to keep all the people in place that have not been doing what we want done during the last administration.

It is my understanding that if a PBA union is in place that when a new Admin comes in that top positions are able to change but just demoting a Lt. or Sgt. to make room for a Caption to have a top position is not right to that employee. I think this would give the deputies more security.

As far as voters approving a change, i belive (Just my belief) they are voting for a top rank change. I belive that most employees when they receive a new supervisor changes and does what they are ask or traimed to do. I do belive that a underperforming employee in a past admin should be given a chance with a quality supervisor with progressive corrective action taken and then if he/she can not do the job let go. I have seen in my time that new supervisors come in and get rid of everyone when they had some very good employees who may have just needed direction to do their job better.

SoWal Expert

Jan 8, '09 · 9:24 PM#392

I personally voted for someone to come in, clean house and make staff changes if necessary, and stop me reading stories in the SUN about how many tens (or hundreds) of thousands of tax dollars were being wasted due to incompetance or the buddy system.

There are some great people in the WCSO and I want the cream to rise and be rewarded, not have the scum stay w/ union protection from disciplinary action.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jan 9, '09 · 6:08 AM#393

Scooterbug
With politics involved you will always have that possibility, as for Union Protection from disciplinary action, I can only assume to believe that you are another who does not believe in progressive discipline with the ultimate goal of assisting an employee to become better after a negative incident. Politicians will come and go, to get a professional department requries training and leadership from those that will be there year end year out, not the politicos

Beach Fanatic

Jan 10, '09 · 12:30 PM#394

How could rank have been protected? If the ability to demote was not a possibility then the deputy would not have had a job. Deputies have to be re-appointed every four years when the Sheriff is re-appointed, and I can not think of how you could force someone to appoint someone else if they chose not too. Not to say that you may not have to keep paying them, but if you refuse to appoint them then what?

And would administrative rank positions be protected? So you are saying that the citizens of Walton County can go and overwhelmingly tell someone that they now want them to be Sheriff to make the changes that need to be made, but one last thing, you have to keep all the people in place that have not been doing what we want done during the last administration.

:funn:

I thought they passed some sort of law a couple of years ago that said a new sheriff could not come in a fire anyone except the top people? If that is the case, the WTF?
( In a related note, I agree with the "non-appointment" of the DUI guy. Just curious about the process.)

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jan 10, '09 · 1:28 PM#395

Yeah, Robert now I remember why I think they should Unionize. My suggestin Robert, stay self employed because you might be one of those let go.
Idlewind, there was an attempt to do that, but I think RJ was poorly prepared and did not get it done, Johnny Mac told me he had it passed for his department, protecting those from I think he said Leiutnant down to road deputy.

Beach Lover

Jan 10, '09 · 1:43 PM#396

Walton had it passes called the Walton County Sherriffs office career service act. It faild the first time but passed the second time. All of the deputies told be this was BS screen that was to try to make RJ look good.

Beach Lover

Jan 10, '09 · 1:51 PM#397

http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2007/House/bills/billtext/pdf/h161300.pdf

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jan 10, '09 · 2:12 PM#398

Creeklover, is this similar to what was done in Jackson County, also it seems there was very little protection from the politicos when they come into office.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 10, '09 · 3:30 PM#399

Creeklover, is this similar to what was done in Jackson County, also it seems there was very little protection from the politicos when they come into office.

FF2, this is a quote from the bill the Creeklover provided:

"

(3) TRANSITION OF CAREER SERVICE EMPLOYEES.--When a newly
elected or appointed Sheriff assumes office, the new Sheriff shall continue the employment of all currently employed
permanent personnel with the exceptions of those positions
defined in subsection (1), unless there is just cause for
dismissal as outlined in the Walton County Sheriff's Office

Policy and Procedures Manual."

Based on this exerpt, a new Sheriff cannot fire an employee when taking office unless "just cause" exists. So, I assume if someone was let go, there is a good reason. Personally, I would think drinking, driving, stealing and dealing drugs qualify.

Beach FanaticAuthor

Jan 10, '09 · 5:04 PM#400

Although I have issue with those items mentioned, its tough when you are convicted prior to a jury of your peers have they opportunity to hear the evidence or at the very least a judge. Corraine was only convicted of speeding, follow a deputy around one day while their in their patrol car, speeding is a fact of life. Get up on I-10 a watch the officers of the state, pass you while your doing 5 to 10 miles over.

Beach Lover

Jan 10, '09 · 8:12 PM#401

FF2 I think they may have used that one.

Tha policy manual. according to the paper this week Mike said they did not have one and he was making one. Also if it is in the policy manual the sheriff can change it at anytime for no reason and then fire you. If you have a union contract you have protection from this.

Also most union contracts have clauses in them with a list of gross missconduct that you can be fired for without every doing anything elese. Here is a example i found on the internet:

The following list of causes shall be deemed major offenses so serious in nature that discharge or discipline is appropriate without regard to the employee’s length of service, prior conduct record or any other consideration:
1. Drinking or being under the influence of intoxicants, narcotics, controlled substances or hallucinogens during duty hours.
2. Dishonesty
3. Fighting on duty.
4. Insubordination.
5. Proven substandard work performance.
6. Habitual tardiness.
7. Unauthorized use of property
8. Unauthorized use of premises.
9. Having one (I) unreported absence, or unexcused absence, except in case of emergency.
10. Misuse of funds.
12. The personal acceptance of any fee, gift, or other valuable consideration is given in the course of ones work or in connection with it, when such gift or other valuable consideration is given in hope or expectation of receiving favor or better treatment than that accorded others.