Walton Deputies To Unionize.

In Dad's district, the superintendent was appointed by the school board rather than elected. I'm coming to like electing the super better- so many of the appointed ones are nomads who are always looking to move to the bigger district (and bigger $$$) instead of actually caring about the district they're supposed to be working in right now.

You are really miss informed

My understanding is that our deputies are among the highest paid in the area already, so it would appear they are doing ok for themselves without the cost of union dues.

More like the lowest. No raise this year. And there was not one last year. If they are so highly paid than why do they have to work details or a second job to make ends meet?

Idlewind....you try surviving in an area where most houses are over $250,000 on thirty-two grand a year...ONE income families and single parent families are the ones really suffering. Deputies that are married suffer as well, but less. I work so much that I rarely see my kids...I don't get over time when I work over and have recently been ordered to burn my comp time and holiday time up so that they don't have to pay me for it in January.

Union or not, its got to stop. I'm told Firefighters, God bless 'em, start off at more than forty grand. ROOKIES! I've been doing this for over a DECADE! and make thirty two!
The firefighters on this site are simply trying to help their ellow public safety workers. In my opinion, my brothers CAN speak for me! Thanks for all your comments FF2 & Profire.

I'll stand shoulder to shoulder with you all, you let me know when and where.

Yes Andy it does​

No Unit members may participate in any strike against the Fire District by
instigating or supporting a strike. Any violator is subject to the penalties provided​

within Section 447.507 Florida Statutes

Thank you very much for the direct and succinct response. It amplifies the difference between public service and private unions.

Whodat1.....Many average people in all walks of life survive in an area where most houses are over $250,000 on thirty-two grand or less a year. The vast majority of one income families and single parent families are really suffering regardless of their profession. Married couples suffer as well, but less due to two incomes.

When I was younger I worked so much that I rarely saw my kids and even now I work many hours above 40 in order to help elderly parents and put kids through college. I don't get over time when I work over either, nor do I receive comp time.

Deputies are no different than the vast majority of workers in this county. In fact, when you analyze benefits received by publci employees as opposed to private sector employees, public employees generally fair much, much better.

Whodat1.....Many average people in all walks of life survive in an area where most houses are over $250,000 on thirty-two grand or less a year. The vast majority of one income families and single parent families are really suffering regardless of their profession. Married couples suffer as well, but less due to two incomes.

When I was younger I worked so much that I rarely saw my kids and even now I work many hours above 40 in order to help elderly parents and put kids through college. I don't get over time when I work over either, nor do I receive comp time.

Deputies are no different than the vast majority of workers in this county. In fact, when you analyze benefits received by publci employees as opposed to private sector employees, public employees generally fair much, much better.

Do you wear a gun to work or run into burning buildings? Just curious. Your attitude seems to suggest that the complete and utter evil and despair we deal with on a daily basis is the status quo for the rest of the working class. You remind me of the guy complaining in traffic at a police officers funeral that had been killed in the line..."that was his job..whats the big deal, I'm late"....I can hear you now. As if we should EXPECT to be treated that way...with deadly force, and not find it horrifying and absurd. And your response does'nt address the vast difference between rookie firefighter pay and rookie deputies. My point is, a starting deputy only makes a couple of dollars less than me, a senior officer.

Sir, I AM NOT in college. I am a grown man who also pays school tuition for his children. I am not a 21 year old rookie cop or a 25 year old resteraunt manager (who by the way, in this area make closer to 40 grand at Taco Bell..do the research). I am NOT a salaried employee, therfore, when I work over, I expect compensation.

I am a professional law enforcement officer. I do not get my kicks writing tickets or making misdemeanor cases on the public. Barney Fife don't work here. I am a trained DUI expert, Field Training Officer, Line Supervisor and a Criminal Justice Instructor. There is no excuse for the way that deputies' pay scales work.

Your attitude, sir, is exactly why the ranks of the WCSO are filled with inexperienced rookies. By the time they are trained to be good officers, they leave and go somewhere else to spend their career, only to be replaced by other rookies. You get what you pay for. They see better pay and overtime all around outlying counties. I am too old to loose all of my vested time and energy I have put in here and hope for change...SOON.

Why don't you sign up to do a ride along on the evening or midnight shift and see if you still believe we are adequetely compensated. I just hope you don't end up in my car.

Whodat1.....Many average people in all walks of life survive in an area where most houses are over $250,000 on thirty-two grand or less a year. The vast majority of one income families and single parent families are really suffering regardless of their profession. Married couples suffer as well, but less due to two incomes.

When I was younger I worked so much that I rarely saw my kids and even now I work many hours above 40 in order to help elderly parents and put kids through college. I don't get over time when I work over either, nor do I receive comp time.

Deputies are no different than the vast majority of workers in this county. In fact, when you analyze benefits received by publci employees as opposed to private sector employees, public employees generally fair much, much better.

In all fairness, that is usually due to the fact that overall their wages are usually much less than the private sector, therefore benefits tent usually to be better than those in the private sector.

Hey idlewind,
I?m sorry that you found yourself in the same boat as us deputies but is it really the same? Has your job ever put you on a busy highway in a heavy thunderstorm doing CPR or directing traffic while Fire or EMS work to save the life of someone they have never met, or sent you into a bar to break up a large fight by going to the center of it. Have you ever had to go up to a house that was fully engulfed in flames with a large propane tank that is also on fire with nothing but your suit and water from your hose between you and the danger. Have you ever had a knife or gun pulled on you at your job. If these are just a few of the things you see in an average day then you can say you are the same as us, but if not just say thanks for what we do and try to support us. We deputies are not asking anything from the public. We are just weighing the options of having a union present in WCSO.

When I was younger I worked so much that I rarely saw my kids and even now I work many hours above 40 in order to help elderly parents and put kids through college. I don't get over time when I work over either, nor do I receive comp time.

Drifting over into ideology here, is expecting a nation to put in 60 hour work weeks with limited to no leave time for their families a good way to keep a healthy sustainable society? Should people have to do that in order to feel like they are meeting basic needs?

Or should we ask for better for our families and friends and work for a society where people didn't feel like they've got to chain themselves to the desk, squad car, etc. in order to meet their needs?

Do you wear a gun to work or run into burning buildings? Just curious. Your attitude seems to suggest that the complete and utter evil and despair we deal with on a daily basis is the status quo for the rest of the working class. You remind me of the guy complaining in traffic at a police officers funeral that had been killed in the line..."that was his job..whats the big deal, I'm late"....I can hear you now. As if we should EXPECT to be treated that way...with deadly force, and not find it horrifying and absurd. And your response does'nt address the vast difference between rookie firefighter pay and rookie deputies. My point is, a starting deputy only makes a couple of dollars less than me, a senior officer.

Sir, I AM NOT in college. I am a grown man who also pays school tuition for his children. I am not a 21 year old rookie cop or a 25 year old resteraunt manager (who by the way, in this area make closer to 40 grand at Taco Bell..do the research). I am NOT a salaried employee, therfore, when I work over, I expect compensation.

I am a professional law enforcement officer. I do not get my kicks writing tickets or making misdemeanor cases on the public. Barney Fife don't work here. I am a trained DUI expert, Field Training Officer, Line Supervisor and a Criminal Justice Instructor. There is no excuse for the way that deputies' pay scales work.

Your attitude, sir, is exactly why the ranks of the WCSO are filled with inexperienced rookies. By the time they are trained to be good officers, they leave and go somewhere else to spend their career, only to be replaced by other rookies. You get what you pay for. They see better pay and overtime all around outlying counties. I am too old to loose all of my vested time and energy I have put in here and hope for change...SOON.

Why don't you sign up to do a ride along on the evening or midnight shift and see if you still believe we are adequetely compensated. I just hope you don't end up in my car.

I would think that the general public would be more supportive of your efforts if they did not get the same "burning building, guns blazing "rant every time they enter discourse with you. Not to mention the "hope you don't end up in my car" rant. And I resent the implication that because I raise questions that I may not be willing to do what you do if required. Believe me that many in this area have served their fellow man in some pretty tight places and don't go around bragging and making a big deal about it.

I have no doubt that law officers, fire fighters and EMT's are underpaid for the service they perform, just as I believe teachers, jailers, sanitation workers and others are underpaid. I believe one of the few services government must provide is public safety and I have no problem paying reasonable taxes to support those functions, including competitive wages for my employees.

However, those employees must realize that these are tough times for alot of people and the money is not there right now for the raises they want. Our commissioners have said their goal is to prevent layoffs, which is commendable. They also scraped up the funds to provide every county employee a small raise. I promise you that there are very few private sector workers getting any raise this year and most are living in fear of a layoff.

So, pardon me if I question why we need one officer to guard every deserted intersection in this county when many of us are struggling to just keep what we have. Pardon me while I question the need for 10% pay increases for public safety workers when many of those they serve are being laid off.

Maybe we would believe that "protect and serve" stuff alot more if the attitudes expressed were more in line with the statement.

Drifting over into ideology here, is expecting a nation to put in 60 hour work weeks with limited to no leave time for their families a good way to keep a healthy sustainable society? Should people have to do that in order to feel like they are meeting basic needs?

Or should we ask for better for our families and friends and work for a society where people didn't feel like they've got to chain themselves to the desk, squad car, etc. in order to meet their needs?

Tell me an alternative and more important tell me how we pay for it. My Father worked even harder than I have for even less money and my sibblings at least turned out fairly well.

Hey idlewind,
I?m sorry that you found yourself in the same boat as us deputies but is it really the same? Has your job ever put you on a busy highway in a heavy thunderstorm doing CPR or directing traffic while Fire or EMS work to save the life of someone they have never met, or sent you into a bar to break up a large fight by going to the center of it. Have you ever had to go up to a house that was fully engulfed in flames with a large propane tank that is also on fire with nothing but your suit and water from your hose between you and the danger. Have you ever had a knife or gun pulled on you at your job. If these are just a few of the things you see in an average day then you can say you are the same as us, but if not just say thanks for what we do and try to support us. We deputies are not asking anything from the public. We are just weighing the options of having a union present in WCSO.

All of us have some danger or distasteful duties attached to our profession. Ever drove a semi-trailer down a icey mountain roadway? Fixed a power line in the rain? etc.etc.

All of us have some danger or distasteful duties attached to our profession. Ever drove a semi-trailer down a icey mountain roadway? Fixed a power line in the rain? etc.etc.

This guy kills me. What ten percent raise are you speaking of? I never saw ANY raise this year. And never mind about the pay difference question I raised between firefighters and deputies. Its obvious to me what you think about us so thats pointless. :roll:

What candidate are you endorseing for Sheriff?

This guy kills me. What ten percent raise are you speaking of? I never saw ANY raise this year. And never mind about the pay difference question I raised between firefighters and deputies. Its obvious to me what you think about us so thats pointless. :roll:

What candidate are you endorseing for Sheriff?

The "10%" was an example used during a discussion. I have no idea if the employees asked for any type of raise nor what the amount was. I am almost positive that I read in the paper that ALL county employees were receiving a $700 per year pay raise this year. If you have not recieved this weeks portion, I suggest you contact your supervisor.

I stated that I support ALL public safety workers and paying competitive salaries. What is competitive for a law officer might be different than that for a firefighter, more or less. I have no idea what is competitive but would make it my business to know if I were a law officer. I believe your Sheriff stated at the budget hearings ( through his lackey) that employees at the jail recieve more money than deputies. Seems that your group/sheriff should learn to tell us why YOU deserve more rather than starting class warfare with other groups of public safety employees.

I think very highly of ALL public safety employees and appreciate the jobs that all of them do. I do not think much of some members of those groups attitude of entitlement. I do not like unions. I do not think "blind subservience" to all facets of a group's agenda is necessary to show overall general support for that particular group.

I have not "endorsed" anyone, I vote Republican generally but not exclusively.

County employees DID recieve a raise. We, a seperate entity, did not. And, an across the board raise is NOT the answer.

Make no mistake. I'm not calling for a "class warfare" against my brothers and sisters at the fire house and the jail. I'm just stating that alot of us ARE NOT making it under the current pay scale. A step system, merit system and longevity pay system would be ideal. Being paid for your education and experience would be nice, too. But in this county, Law Enforcement is considered a "job", not a profession or career, so it will never happen here. UNLESS a union or civil service is instituted.

And the moneys there. We don't need a fleet of new cars EVERY year. There are other ridiulous expenditures at the WCSO that could be cut to give the folks better pay and benefits.

So you're anti-union. Thats too bad! Thanks for your comments.....I think you may have just made my decision for me when I go to the polls...

County employees DID recieve a raise. We, a seperate entity, did not. And, an across the board raise is NOT the answer.

Make no mistake. I'm not calling for a "class warfare" against my brothers and sisters at the fire house and the jail. I'm just stating that alot of us ARE NOT making it under the current pay scale. A step system, merit system and longevity pay system would be ideal. Being paid for your education and experience would be nice, too. But in this county, Law Enforcement is considered a "job", not a profession or career, so it will never happen here. UNLESS a union or civil service is instituted.

And the moneys there. We don't need a fleet of new cars EVERY year. There are other ridiulous expenditures at the WCSO that could be cut to give the folks better pay and benefits.

So you're anti-union. Thats too bad! Thanks for your comments.....I think you may have just made my decision for me when I go to the polls...

The issues you describe are the result of the failure of your current leadership. The commissioners appropriated the funds for each employee, including sheriffs employees to receive a $700 raise. If that money did not go to the employees, then someone took it from you.

Leadership is what is needed at the sheriffs dept. Most other government agencies have step pay plans, merit raises, longevity pay, educational pay and the like. Many have these without a union. I think Mr. Adkinson is saying to you that if you will give him a chance he will work on these things for you. I believe Mr. Griffith is saying the same thing. Give them a chance to fix things and if they don't/won't, then pursue your options.

Please realize though that these are tough times and that solutions that could have been found easily a couple of years ago may take time now due to the economy. I know that s****, but that is the way it is today.

I certainly don't have a problem with our police officers getting a pay raise or getting paid a comparable wage to Bay or Okaloosa County personnel.

Anyone who thinks they have the same level of danger as every other worker needs a reality check!

Since the deputies are watching this page I just wanted to thank them. A couple of years ago I hit a deer. They responded in a timely manner and were very professional. The Other week I was on 85 in Okaloosa County and the same thing happened, the difference........ I had to wait one and a half hours for a trooper to be freed up. The Okaloosa deputy that came out told me "its not his juristiction" and stood by for almost 45 minutes. The Trooper who showed up was done with my report in 15 minutes???? Thank you Walton County Deputies and all you do. You have my full support union or no union.

After talking to a deputy, believe it or not, I asked how many people above the rank of Leiutenant there were in the department, I was told there were 4. When asked how many Leiutenants and sergeants were in the department. Without knowing the exact number I was told approx. 30. As I have said in the past, to satisfy the politics of the situation my feeling is the position of those above Leiutenant may be considered as management and those of Leiutenant and down should be left alone. I'm sure that won't be acceptable so that the politicals can get their supporters the positions promised. Go ahead MA and DG commit to that scenerio. As for the Union I will continue to support those who will have an opportunity to vote. Yes or No, it is your Choice and don't let the intimidation or opinion of either candidate influence your decision. Don't let the negative comments of posters dissuade you from your right. For those of you who have contacted me, I support your right but in the end it is in your hands. Educate yourselves as to the process and the benefits.

Since the deputies are watching this page I just wanted to thank them. A couple of years ago I hit a deer. They responded in a timely manner and were very professional. The Other week I was on 85 in Okaloosa County and the same thing happened, the difference........ I had to wait one and a half hours for a trooper to be freed up. The Okaloosa deputy that came out told me "its not his juristiction" and stood by for almost 45 minutes. The Trooper who showed up was done with my report in 15 minutes???? Thank you Walton County Deputies and all you do. You have my full support union or no union.

And I would like to "ditto" this post. Every contact I have had with our Walton County Sheriff deputies has been exemplary. They are truly a great lot and credit to our county.

Quality Officers

And I would like to "ditto" this post. Every contact I have had with our Walton County Sheriff deputies has been exemplary. They are truly a great lot and credit to our county.

We do have quality officers here. Now, let's give them a chance to have a quality leader.

I am NOT opposed to any officer wanting the PBA or the FOP along side with them.

I am however opposed to the timing of this set of cirumstances and I was notified that Ralph Johnson is the one who actually reached out to the PBA to "help" his employees. Perhaps one of the PBA Reps can clairify who and when they were contacted. I wonder if they even realize that they are being used by RJ to undermine the Republican Candidate for Sheriff, Mike Adkinson.

I for one would have liked to see RJ just go away. Instead, he lingers here like the smell of dead fish in your cooler...

No matter Johnson's motives, its still a good move for the deputies. We all know, even those of us who support it, that there was sour grapes involved in this deal. That does'nt mean we ALL have it out for the new guy. It just means we want protections and gurantees against future tyrants like recent sheriffs. Adkinson might not be a tyrant, but who's to say he's the LAST sheriff in Walton County. If its not followed through with now, we'll have to do it again eventually. That would stink. Folks this organizing is tough business. It makes people fear for their livelyhood.

PBA members were scared to unionize under a standing sheriff for fear of reprisal. This is a scary county politically. They go for the jugular if you oppose them. Adkinson, likely the next sheriff, opposes collective bargaining and has made it clear that he will take the action in court if a contract is signed before he takes office. Again, I don't think we have the votes to form a bargaining unit, but if we do.....it looks like alot of money on both sides will be wasted in litigation.

Regardless of what happens, I would like to thank the public for supporting the deputies. Its nice to feel appreciated. I would also like to thank you for ALWAYS holding the sheriff responsible for his actions (or inactions).

There's an old saying, "power corrupts..absolute power corrupts absolutely". The office of Sheriff (a very powerful office in Walton County) is NOT immune to that fact. Power should always be held by those reluctant to do so. Ideally someone who has the best intentions of the people at heart and not their career.

Wow!!! At the false information being placed here First off, why would other deputies, be trying to intimidate and scare other deputies into making a decision not to unionized based on what you think might happen??? Both Candidates for Sheriff have enjoyed the benefit of working under a contract provided by the PBA, I don't think either one ever turned down any pay raise or benefit that they received as being part of the Union. In fact I believe one of the candidates has even used our services when he had an issue happen. Deputies you will be given the chance, so you will not have to live in fear of who ever the sheriff may be from this vote on.... You no longer serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff, so you do not have to secretly support whom ever you please. You don't have to worry about coming to work in January and the NEW SHERIFF saying you no longer work for this agency. How fair is this to you and your family? The Sheriff will have the pleasure of putting anyone of the fear-mungers here on this blog as a Captain or higher in his administration without the PBA saying anything. We are not adversarial with either of the two candidates for Sheriff, but having said this we will stand up for the Deputies, Investigators, Sergeants, and Lieutenants when it comes to their rights being violated or being unfairly terminated. Ask yourself this question if the incoming sheriff wanted to take care of his people, why would he be opposed to his deputies having the right to collective bargaining? I'm quite sure that both candidates will read this blog and I hope they do. For who ever is using scare tatics, bullying, and threating other employees, Stop it. How many deputies have heard the story that so and so is gone when the new sheriff comes in office? What if it is you next? VOTE IN THE UNION AND THE FEAR WILL GO AWAY!!! Again, I can't stress this enough, the Sheriff can't just come in and say, you no longer work here. Both Candidates know this. I read in an earlier entry that one candidate is going to fight us (PBA) in the courts, I would hope that he would not, but if he so chooses bring it on... But it will be him not us, being adversarial not the PBA. It will be a binding contract that will benefit his employees, so if he wants to waist money that he could use to pay his employees better, that's his right as Sheriff.
When the Vote happens, NO ONE WILL KNOW HOW YOU VOTED UNLESS YOU TELL THEM, NO ONE WILL EVER FIND OUT UNLESS YOU TELL THEM. You will be able to come in go to a booth, that has a curtain all the way around it, then you will vote and place your own ballot into a sealed box with only a slot cut into the top, you will place your ballot into this box. Then the PERC Elections Officer will shake the box up after the polls close and the Sheriff's representative, PBA Representative will observe while the PERC Employee counts the YES votes and NO votes. If you vote the PBA in we will be your collective bargaining Agent and you will no longer have to worry about a job every 4 years. I hope this has cleared up some of your concerns and false information that has been put out. If you want to talk with me my number is 1-800-733-3722 or ask around in the Department my cell number is on my business card. VOTE YES FOR THE UNION

Outstanding, as I have stated before, if you need assistance contact me, I will be more than happy to stand shoulder to shoulder.