Walton Deputies To Unionize.

Beachy, at least you have toned down the rhetoric. negotiations are just that, there is a 2 way street, some give and take. Just as you are afraid of holding elected officials hostage, every time there is a change in Sheriff there are deputies who's jobs are held in the balance to pay those who supported him. It is time for that to change. Chapman should be well aware of that, ask him what was done to him when he was demoted from the #2 to a road deputy. I have no issue with the top 3 or 4 people that any new Sheriff wants to bring in but those mid level supervisors, Lt. and SGT should be left to do their jobs without the interference of the POLITICIANS.

FF2, let the new Sheriff take over. He may find that we can do without having a deputy on every corner. He could cut positions and use some of those savings to give the remaining employees a great raise, still returning some funds back to the taxpayer. This would not be possible with a union.

FF2, let the new Sheriff take over. He may find that we can do without having a deputy on every corner. He could cut positions and use some of those savings to give the remaining employees a great raise, still returning some funds back to the taxpayer. This would not be possible with a union.

Your talking about a government cutting something, your talking public safety here. You have 3 deputies, so I have been told, working the night shift in SoWal, because they have to use their comp time before the end of the year. You have approx. 130 deduties out of 200 some odd employees, who do you want to cut. Do you want them to cut dispatchers who answer your phone calls, or maybe we could us an answering service. Think about what you are saying, who you gonna call? Support Your Deputies. Ultimately they will make the decision as to whether they will organize or not, you know my position and I am not ashamed of it.
Bob

A deputy on every corner? Buddy, If someone calls in sick, its like a disaster we're already so short handed ( and they won't call someone in on overtime). I can't even make an arrest, because if I do, my zone will be uncovered for two hours. If I told you just how short handed we are in patrol, the criminal watcing this site (and there are a few meth dealers here in the south end watching) would be very pleased. If you see one on every corner, you're seeing the same one being aggressive in his/her patrol. You sir, are an ill informed person who thinks poorly of police officers, as your previous posts suggest. Most of the time, your back up in most zones of this county are twenty minutes out. Try holding someone at gunpoint for twenty minutes idle. You write like your very intellegent. Just remember the day when you need one of us that the reason you have to wait so long is you supported cuts at the sheriff's office.

I consider myself better informed than most, mainly because I can read newspapers and books and hear radio and TV. I hold officers in the highest respect, but that does not mean I check my intelligence at the door. I do not remember reading about standoffs every day and I cannot see why it would take two hours to drive to DeFuniak and sign a warrant. Involved cases would be worked by CSI, so don't tell me about how long it takes to work a robbery.

I think the new Sheriff should have some latitude to rearrange and fix problems. He ( either Adkinson or Griffith) should be afforded that level of respect and trust.

By the way, we ARE the CSI units....this ain't T.V. and we ain't got a budget for a unit thats just CSI. We do the road deputies job AND CSI.

By the way, we ARE the CSI units....this ain't T.V. and we ain't got a budget for a unit thats just CSI. We do the road deputies job AND CSI.

Ms. Jackson,
Desoto County had a very similar situtation to what you are in and guess what the New Sheriff came in and had a contract that was negotiated under the old administration, just prior to him taking office. The new Sheriff came in after a tough race and no problems. In fact that Sheriff knew he wanted to take care of his employees and the former Sheriff just started the process. The Fact is simple, your mind will not change, you are anti-union. You throw arrows and split hairs. Why would I need to know about a case that had nothing to do with the PBA. Looks like to me it proves my point, if what I'm hearing is true and using your standard of thought "those who do their jobs to the best of their ability, don't worry about who the new sheriff is" If these young ladies used this same method of thought.... well you get the point.

I wish them well and hope they get their jobs back.


Take care, Ms. Jackson

REMEMBER VOTE PBA

Now we finally hear the truth, its all about the almighty dollar. If you dont pay you dont get representation. They will put something in a contract to address various problems, but the real question is will they represent you if you are not a paying member if there is a contract dispute. My guess is probably not.

And your willing to negotiate a labor contract for the department, do the paying memebers get more input and say so then the non paying members?

So if your not a paying memeber and there is a contract dispute you have to hire your own lawyer and take it to court. What makes that any different then the way it is currently? Other than the fact that for the new sheriff to give the deputies any thing over and above whats in the contract he would have to amend the previous contract and jump through all the PBA hoops to get it done. Sounds like going around your elbow to get to your thumb.

What??? So you can't get your DNA results back before the next commercial break? You guys are doing a great job!

Here is my view on your PBA.

A dear friend of mine is new to this whole 'Small Town' politics uproar that happens every four years around here. It has almost caused my friend to move off. My friend has never seen so much back stabbing and back biting in his life.

What does that have to do with the PBA? Well, every four years there is a possibility for a new Sheriff to be elected. When that happens there is usually a partial or complete change of the entire administration at HQ. People are fired, demoted or whatever. While the agreement that Sheriff Johnson signed protecting the Sergents and Deputies offers some protection, it does not keep either of those from being fired because they work at the 'will' of the Sheriff. With the protection of a collective bargining agreement there are steps and procedures that must be followed before an employee is fired.

As a firefighter, I enjoy the rights covered under the Firefighter Bill of Rights. If I am accused, I must be told who the accuser is, their complaint and be given the choice of Reprenstation when I go before the investigation committee. I do not know if Deputies have a similar Bill of Rights but if they do it would keep them from being falsly accused and fired and they would have a friend there beside them when they are charged with anything letting them know what thier rights are. Could you imagine knowing who was accusing you rather than being called on the carpet and blindsided? That alone would get my vote!

I am by no means an expert on the situation but I know that the process works!

I know that the that the process to bring the PBA was not done right, but I do know that in the end it will be a blessing in disguse to the guys on the ground.

The contract is all up to you guys! You get to chose what parts you want and dont. You get to vote. You have the oppurinity to keep what you have right now. Pay, cars, hours... Most everything can be negoiated on! It's your chance to keep the things that you have and later to make them better!

FF2 I will stand with you standing with the guys!

You're assessment is right on. Historically, Unions were strong when work conditions and wages were poor. WCSO has some of the highest paid officers, and once RJ is gone, conditions will improve dramatically.

other departments get overtime and step increases. Our STARTING pay may be better.

I really like the PBA and FOP legal assistance and the fact that as an individual paying member, a rep (Mr. Mears) will sit with you in your supervisors office when the attempt to discipline you. Other then that PBA and FOP are week.

? www.flba.org

Unions are failing on a national level, they do not hold the power they once did. Money and numbers are the main goal of any union, do not be fooled.

www.flpba.org

If things do not improve, then revisit the union.

Also, what makes anyone think that the PBA has any ability to communicate with our Commissioners and County Leaders?

So ALL of these departments (noteably the most progressive and professionional ones, ie Miami-Dade, Volusia and locally Escambia, Santa Rosa AND numerous other SO's and PD's across the state...all union) are wrong?
If you are right, why "revisit" the issue once things "do not improve"? www.flpba.org see for yourself how "weak" they are. Or visit the Teamsters law enforcement site.....They are so NOT weak.