Walton Deputies To Unionize.

[Irisheyes]

If theres one thing I've learned about Walton County politics, its that fear and absolute power dictate how the Sheriff's Office is run. It also dictates how the law is applied (or not). Its time for this to end under the new Sheriff. While I believe Adkinson has a good vision, he IS considering dismissing people. The ultimate responsible party for the failure of Johnson's administration has already been dismissed. Johnson himself. Don't the deputies deserve a chance to prove that they CAN function appropriately under a funtional administration? I keep hearing that Adkinson wants the deputies to give him a chance before unionization. Can't he practice what he preaches and do the same for them?

Most progressive departments are either union or civil service. This takes politics out of hiring and firing, or at least minimizes it. It also limits political influence on promotions or demotions. Yes, its true it would protect four or five people who should probably be relieved of their positions. But it will protect the other 135 sworn officers as well. You have to take the bad with the good and take solace in the fact that the majority of these folks that SHOULD be dismissed will retire eventually and make way for GOOD officers. Those good officer's jobs will be protected from politics because of our forward thinking. This, however does NOT relieve the Sheriff from the authority to appoint non-sworn administrative staff and sworn positions from Chief Deputy down to captain.

I know first hand that a majority of the deputies in the south end WILL give the new Sheriff a professional product no matter what. I personally don't think they have the votes needed to form a collective bargaining unit. Too many of them are afraid to vote yes as there have already been folks intimidated against it. There were actually deputies that are against unionization taking names of those for it and marking them on a list. Who was the list for? We can only speculate. Sounds like something Johnson would've done, right? They also keep telling the deputies that they will have their cars taken away for doing this, and possibly lose other benefits. Really? Would the incoming Sheriff punish the deputies for taking a lawful labor action? Call it part of the "bargaining" if you want to, I call it punishment. The benefits they already have should be discussed, but not taken from them. Would the citizens stand by a Sheriff who did such thing? They did'nt in the primaries this year. Remember the FMLA issue and the pregnant deputies?

The public is not stupid. We realize Johnson initiated this to sabotage the new Sheriff, whoever that may be. But the majority of the folks that are for this are simply taking advantage of the moment. They legitimately want this. It is just unfortunate that it would protect some of those that would of themselves opposed this two years ago.:angry:

Adkinson will make a better Sheriff, of that I have no doubt. But he should consider how poorly the deputies have been treated for the last twenty-eight years with fear and intimidation before he thinks that this is all about him. It ain't. We don't even know him. We could care less about him and Ralph hating each other. We just want to do our jobs without fear of retribution. We want an equal shot at promotions and a fair shake in the face of disciplinary action. We want a livable wage in these high dollar zip codes we occupy. These are all things Adkinson says he wants as well. I think he should work with the bargaining unit, if its voted in, to bring these things to light.

And as for the person who thinks the Sheriff and County Commisioners don't have to negotiate with anyone...you need to do your homework. This ain't Hazard County anymore and its not the People's Republic of Walton County. What makes you think we're any better than Escambia, Santa Rosa, Miami-Dade...etc, etc...?

Doesnt Mike Adkinson want to go Civil Service ?

 

[SoWalProfire]

Ralph is sticking it to the taxpayers once more for ole times sake by saddling us with a union to drive up costs and drive down productivity.:angry: Any business owner will tell you this is what unions bring to the table, but alas, very little of the increase in costs filter down to the rank and file.

Idlewind, Please provide and example of how a *PUBLIC SERVICE UNION* drives up costs and drives down production.

Public service Union contracts serve the public interest

1. by keeping costs at reasonable levels (the bargaining unit must justify what it asks for. The bargaining unit leadership usually accomplishes this presenting data obtained from independent and verifiable sources - usually public records requests from similar departments providing similar services to a similar tax base)
2. by ensuring that members of the bargaining unit will at all times be responsive to and make every reasonable effort to carry forward the department's legitimate activities and functions with alacrity and dispatch (this happens because of the improved morale that results from the increased feeling of security and camaraderie that occurs when people of like mind and interest come together to have a positive impact on their own destinies)
3. by defining the department's obligations to the Union and members of the bargaining unit, thus avoiding costly legal disputes due to misunderstandings (law suits are much more expensive (win or lose) than having a pre-agreed understanding which both parties are committed to upholding)
4. by providing a procedure for resolution of any claims that the Agreement has been violated. ( This is a pre-agreed INTERNAL process to resolve conflicts. This also is less expensive than law suits )

In addition to these ideals, most *PUBLIC SERVICE UNION* (Police, Fire, EMS) contracts establish minimum safety requirements and procedures. this results in decreased accident and injury costs.

Also most contracts specify the procedure for promotions. Generally, this is based upon education, certificates and experience as well as a fair and equitable promotional testing procedure. This helps to ensure that the most qualified people are promoted to leadership positions. The benefit to the taxpayer should be obvious with this one.


I have worked in both Union and Non-Union fire departments. I have enjoyed my employment with SWFD more than any other. Labor and Management at SWFD have have expressed our collective commitment to the people we serve. We thought so much of the idea that we set it to writing in our collective bargaining agreement. I believe the community we serve realizes the benefits of our Combined efforts every day. Without the organization, camaraderie, and community spirit of South Walton Professional Firefighters, SWFD could not be all that it is today.


And I haven't even mentioned yet, the charitable work that most all *PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS* do. South Walton Professional Firefighters host or help to host several events each year to raise or help raise money for local and national charitable interests. MDA, Relay for Life, Charity Golf Tournament, Haunted Woods (this years event coming soon!), Caring and Sharing's Angel Tree, Christmas shop with a firefighter, Camp Amigo Children's Burn Camp of North Florida, Boot drive for St. Jude Children's Hospital, This year we hope to be involved in the Caring and Sharing Food Drive for the Holidays and many local folks in need helped through monetary donations approved at our monthly meetings.

Please realize that there is and will always be a HUGE difference between PUBLIC SERIVE UNIONS and PRIVATE SECTOR UNIONS.

 

[The Watcher]

Incorrect

Watcher
As I have said before, maybe the Deputies did this on their own because they have seen what has happened in the past. You make it sound as if Mike is afraid of the protection organizing will provide to the Deputies. As I have said before, I do not foresee contract negotiations beginning before the new Sheriff starts. The only thing that may be stopped is the mass demotions the New Sheriff would have to implement to bring in the CRONIES. If either one of these Candidates were serious about change and creating a good department, then those professional that are there day in and day and aren't running for election should be left alone to work for their new boss. If you happen to be in a supervisory capacity then do your job as the New Sheriff wants it, the New Sheriff should tell the Taxpayers employees what he expects and give those folks the tools to accomplish the job. Then and only then if defiencies are found then corrective action should be taken. I know, thats a pipe dream because so many positions were promised to the good ol boys that it is just easier to blame it on the employees who want to show up to work and avoid the BS Politics and provide a good service to their ultimate bosses the Taxpayer. So Mike and Danny, your choice embrace the change or whine about it, I will support the Deputies, and if they vote Yes or No at least it will be a decision they get to make. Their voice will be heard.

Let me be clear that I too support the Deputies, very much so. If my post made it seem as if Mike Adkinson was "afraid of Protection" then I did not correctly word my thoughts. I am NOT affiliated with Mike Adkinson, so I would not want to shed any impression upon his campaign. I am however a realist, and Mike Adkinson is not only the best candidate for the job, he is going to be elected Sheriff on November 4th. With that said, the gist of my post was we need to all be outraged that the current excuse for a sherrif is continuing to undermine the positive movement to new law enforcement in Walton County.

I seriously doubt that Mike Adkinson is "afraid of protection" when it comes to his soon to be employees, just look at what he has done with DFS PD, that department used to be pretty sad, now it is doing well.

Pushing a PBA Agenda down Mikes throat is the only way Ralph can manage to continue his existence. Either way, Ralph is making it difficult for the new sheriff to be successful. In my humble opinion, Danny's "endorsement" by PBA is further evidence that this whole thing stinks when it comes to the timing of it.

Honestly, I would support either FOP or PBA, but let's give the new Sheriff his rightful chance to make the department better.

w

 

[WCcitizens]

Right On!!!!

You are truly correct Watcher! Give MA a chance to improve the WCSO. RJ just needs to go and suck it up, he lost. From What I understand is that several of the deputies don't want a union. When certain deputies were going around (on duty) getting these blue cards signed from other deputies, they were being told by RJ cronies that they are just signing the cards for prepaid legal services. Then they turn around with the blue cards and run to the PBA and say "see these deputies who signed this want collective bargaining at the sheriff's office in Walton County" . Let me tell you folks.....there are alot of upset people at the SO right now because they were mislead into signing these cards!!!!!!!
I believe this is RJ's last stand to help his little cronies! He needs to try to protect them because they know alot of sh*t on him and the illegal sh*t he has done while in office.

 

[The Watcher]

Well Put

You are truly correct Watcher! Give MA a chance to improve the WCSO. RJ just needs to go and suck it up, he lost. From What I understand is that several of the deputies don't want a union. When certain deputies were going around (on duty) getting these blue cards signed from other deputies, they were being told by RJ cronies that they are just signing the cards for prepaid legal services. Then they turn around with the blue cards and run to the PBA and say "see these deputies who signed this want collective bargaining at the sheriff's office in Walton County" . Let me tell you folks.....there are alot of upset people at the SO right now because they were mislead into signing these cards!!!!!!!
I believe this is RJ's last stand to help his little cronies! He needs to try to protect them because they know alot of sh*t on him and the illegal sh*t he has done while in office.

Very good summary of the current situation.

Let me add to it, that "cleaning house" is something that although it may not be "fair" it is needed. I would name names (, but for the sake of privacy and embarrasment, I will not list my opinions on the "who's who" list.

With all the wrong doing that has gone on in this department, there are others who are just as accountable as Ralph Johnson. This department has lost numerous good officers to other departments over the past few years. Many more would have left IF they could, but not all can relocate and leave their "home".

As for the officers being "duped" into signing the blue cards, that is typical Union M.O. Before you know it, it is too late. Those spearheading this process need to watch that they do not open themselves up to civil liability.

 

[The Watcher]

Please do you homework

I am asking one simple question:

Officers of WCSO, please do your homework, prior to voting in the PBA to represent all of you. Name one Florida County where PBA has had success outside of Corrections? Even the FOP is struggling statewide.

Understand, that voting in the PBA will take away your INDIVIDUAL voice to express concerns, goals, gripes, etc. I fully understand your position on this. After 8 years of Ralph Johnson, you all need protection and healing. That protection is coming.

With that said, give the next elected sheriff the chance to do that. If you don't, you are only shooting yourselves in the foot. It won't kill you, but damn it hurts for a while.

You can join PBA, FOP all on your own and get the pre-paid legal. Where the issue comes in is when they (PBA) owns you, and they will. This "Idea" of being represented comes years too late. It is all politically motivated. You should have all had PBA or FOP representation under RJ's terms. Not now as he is leaving. You are going to indirectly punish the new Sheriff for the wrongs done by RJ. Think about it. You are still doing RJ's bidding for him, even as he has been voted out of office by the people.

I have attached a copy of text from the NW FL Daily News below:

However, several employees in upper-level management deny that anyone - whether they are pro- or anti-union - has suffered any adverse or disciplinary actions as a result of union activity. Contacted at the sheriff's office, 1st Lt. Tommy Mitchem said no deputies or supervisors have been pushing anyone to sign the authorization cards.
"No one is going around telling people to sign anything," he added, "but I can only speak for myself and a couple other people that I've been around."
Capt. Eddie Farris, the sheriff's office's public information officer, said one individual who was contacting other employees to find out if they had signed authorization cards did receive a letter, but it simply stated that she was not allowed to engage in those kinds of activities while on duty.

Lt. and Capt. : Where were your "stones" years ago when this sort of "protection" was needed? It is too late now, damage done, money lost, people gone, more to come...

I really doubt the two of you would have had the same opinion of this "process" had RJ won the Republican Nomination. I wish for once, someone within the department with some rank would tell it like it is. It all goes back to FEAR. This atmosphere is unhealthy and most of all it takes away the ability of all the great officers of WCSO to perform their duties as law enforcement officers.

As a citizen of Walton County, I urge you all to allow the new sheriff, whomever it may be, come Nov. 4th, the ability to prove themselves in position, prior to entering into an agreement with the Union. If they fail, I will be one of the first to fully support your effort to allow representation. I am certain you will not need it, only those so close to RJ that they see his tonsils daily will need worry. They have made their beds, time to lie in them. Sleep Tight.

w

 

[idlewind]

FF2- All unions drive up costs. When you bargin with them they produce records showing the average pipefitter makes 35 dollars per hour and neglect to tell you that is in New York City. 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.

Also, if I read the paper correctly, if the union and the Sheriff negoiate and cannot come to an agreement, then the appeal hearing is to THE SHERIFF. What good will that do the employees?

If whoever is elected comes in and acts like RJ and starts firing everybody, we will just have to make sure and vote him out the first chance we get. We gave RJ too many chances.

Watcher- I think you answered your own question as to why the upper management guys will not stand up to RJ, FEAR. I would imagine they have even more to lose than the lower level people.

 

[Bob Wells]

Watcher, you are quite confusing to me. You express your support for the Deputies in one breath and in the next you say RJ's people have to go. At some point in time the change has to start and it ought to START NOW. Let the Deputies vote it up or down without all the intimidation from either MA or DG. Those cronies who are crying about the positions that they appear won't get there promised jobs maybe you should consider working your way up through the chain.

I talked to Sheriff McDaniel from Jackson county, he explained the way it is set up over there, the new Sheriff gets the top 2 or 3 people as his managment team. Why won't that work, oh I forget, it is called Cronism

 

[Bob Wells]

Idlewind, first you would be incorrect, there are ways to have wage survey completed for departments of size, services provided, population and the such, so the NYC reference is laughable Second, I have stated in other post wages may not be the issues that they may have so as to where they rank currently I can't say. Third, I can assure you that the Sheriff does not have the final say, go to the PERC web site and become informed.

 

[SoWalProfire]

FF2- All unions drive up costs. When you bargain with them they produce records showing the average pipefitter makes 35 dollars per hour and neglect to tell you that is in New York City. 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.

Also, if I read the paper correctly, if the union and the Sheriff negoiate and cannot come to an agreement, then the appeal hearing is to THE SHERIFF. What good will that do the employees?

If whoever is elected comes in and acts like RJ and starts firing everybody, we will just have to make sure and vote him out the first chance we get. We gave RJ too many chances.

Watcher- I think you answered your own question as to why the upper management guys will not stand up to RJ, FEAR. I would imagine they have even more to lose than the lower level people.

Idlewind, There is no other way to say this so, I apologize in advance if this offends you. You are just simply wrong about Public Service Unions driving up costs. I have seen and interacted with many people like you. You splatter our screens with your anti-union spam soup trying to make us believe that you have some real insight into this whole "union thing". Well, just so you know, anyone who has ever actually been present for Public Service Union negotiations thinks your dribble, disguised as union acumen is ridiculous and blindly prejudicial.:scratch:

Your comments remind me of a 12 year old boy who grew up in Forsythe Ga. who states that he hates black people when in fact, he's never even met a black person.

I have read and enjoyed many of your posts on the SoWal forum. So, I was a bit surprised to read that you are a Union bigot.

The point I was trying to get across to this thread in my last post (and many other threads and posts) is that THERE IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PUBLIC SERVICE UNION AND A PRIVATE SECTOR UNION. Please do a little reading, some research. There is much you can learn that might be beneficial to your credibility on this subject.

We are not a pipe-fitters Union. We are not United Auto Workers. Because the PUBLIC IS OUR BOSS we are by nature, different than private sector Unions.

Again, I am sorry if this offends.