The State Worker: Correctional officers union racks up $4 million tab with state

SacBee: State Worker ^ | 2/11/10 | Jon Ortiz

[SmithL]

Four. Million. Dollars.

That's how much the union representing California's correctional officers owes the state for something called "union paid leave." The tab goes back to 2005.

Now, before you clobber the California Correctional Peace Officers' Association, realize that there's plenty of blame to spread around. But first, a quick primer on this paid leave.

Several state worker unions, including CCPOA, have contracts that let employees leave their jobs to do union work. The state – in this case, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and to a lesser degree, the Department of Mental Health – pays their wages and benefits like always.

Then departments invoice the unions for those costs.

CCPOA has run up a $3,948,113.37 tab, according to a letter sent to the union by Corrections Secretary Matthew Cate and Personnel Administration Director Debbie Endsley.

"For the last two years the State has made demand upon CCPOA, both in writing and orally, to reimburse the total compensation costs," says the Jan. 28 letter. The union has until the end of this month to pay $2 million, or it's lawsuit time.

Cate and Endsley also told the union that Corrections will cut off payment at the end of this month for six people now on leave unless the union pays an invoice for $56,789.12 that covers their compensation for that month. "Alternatively, at their option, the individuals may return to work," the letter said.

[SJSAMPLE]

“California Correctional Peace Officers’ Association”

LOL.
There’s a BIG difference between a “correctional” officer and true “peace” officers.

Adding “Peace” to the organization’s title does not increase it’s credibility.

[Oldexpat]

Something like this might go on for 60-90 days..and that’s it. Pay up or the program stops..period.

[eyeamok]

Why doesn’t the State treat the Unions as if they were regular Taxpayers. SEIZE ALL THEIR ASSETS IMMEDIATELY, then force the union to go to court to get back the unused portion. That’s what happens to us Serfs everyday.

[BatGuano]

There are many arrangements similar to this in industry. I always thought that it was a way for union leaders and committee people to take vacations paid by their fellow union members. Abuse that is overlooked. But the workers never failed to join the chorus of “We are exploited by this damn company that is trying to bust us”.

[HIDEK6]

"(Corrections) has been engaging in meaningful dialogue with CCPOA over the best way to pay back the amount," he wrote.

How about they just send you a check for $4 million and you send them the change?