Walton Deputies To Unionize.

[scooterbug44]

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.

And quite a few more based on my personal experiences w/ the WCSO.

Seems like anything that happens before 8 and after 5 somehow becomes the Sheriff's department's responsibility.

 

[WhoDat1]

Yeah we dabble in code enforcement, animal control and the occasional civil case. After the rest of the county shuts down, we take on everything.

 

[WhitesandBum]

Idlewind,
Obviously you haven't driven from south Walton to the jail lately because if you had you would not have said that 2 hours is too long to deal with an arrest.

First off if it is just a simple warrant on the person then it is 30-45 min drive one way to the jail, then when you get them into the jail you have to go over to the sheriff's office to get the hard copy of the warrant and then back to the jail to serve it. Then you have another 30-45 min drive back to south Walton.

Second if it is't a simple warrant and you arrest someone on a crime then you have to go to the south Walton sub-station to do the paperwork on the arrest before you even take the person to the jail. Yet another indication that you are less informed than you think.

 

[The Watcher]

Fail

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

You can't see the forest through the trees can you? The sheriff that contacted you and your group to come in and "represent" his employees is a con man. He fired two pregnant female officers and solely because they didn't pay your monthly dues, you seem to not care about the injustice that has gone on here for eight years.

I urge you to please do your research and peel back a few more layers.

w

PS, looks like you are nasty

 

[John R]

Thank you to those who serve. I for one do not want any of our services cut. More deputies in cruisers, and more Fire/EMS/QRV cannot be a bad thing. It is obvious the RJ is at the root of all the fear and confusion with regards to the SO. He cannot leave quickly enough. He has tarnished many people's view/expectations of law enforcement. The first job of the new sheriff should be to allay the fears within the dept and then move to publishing a fair and balanced budget with the help of those who's input he is already paying for. Whether or not to unionize is strictly internal and really needs no discussion on a public forum, I'm sure all those concerned will make their own informed decision. Although I've been in police vehicles before, my trips have not been for ride alongs. I think it would be quite educational for anyone to do so. What type of preparation/paperwork is needed?

Disclaimer, I've only read this last page and scanned the others to base this post on. It is no surprise to see who the other posters are who speak with no knowledge whatsoever. Lucky for them, response time is equal for all.

 

[The Watcher]

Unions are failing

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.

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.

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.

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.

I do not think that PBA and Mr. Mears are bad, they are just very misinformed. The desire to add a local SO to one's roster is a great one, it appears so great that flying blind is the way they are going to go about it.

As I have said, Let the new sheriff elect take control of the office and see what happens. 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? Both Mike and Danny have that ability and have a good relationship. Why wasn't this done 8 years ago? Because RJ wouldn't allow it. Now he's gone and started it. Just another middle finger from RJ to the citizens of Walton County... Well, right back at ya.

 

[WhoDat1]

ride alongs

There is a form you must fill out for approval. It waives the department and officer from any civil liability for injury. Call the patrol commander and he will guide you through it.

 

[The Watcher]

Great Points

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 bring up excellent points here. However, all of the aforementioned perks are available to individual members if they join as individuals, either PBA or FOP. To vote the union in as a group severely limits future planning by any sheriff. I would ask that everyone wait unit after a new sheriff is in office and then continue this discussion. Let's not set a newly elected official up to fail.

w

 

[WhoDat1]

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.

 

[Bob Wells]

Watcher
Except they can not bargain collectively as individuals. We keep bringing up the trust issue. Has MA or DG said publicly, no one is going to lose their jobs if they are elected?No they haven't. So, why should I trust them, even if I am an "RJ REJECT" as some have posted on here, why should they not have the opportunity to succeed. At sometime the paybacks have to stop. Again if every 4 years a new Sheriff rides into town, why should the Deputies have to suffer to make room for the cronism that has happened in the past. You people from the corporate ranks, does this really sound like good business sense?