The Latest News
The EB is pleased to announce that the OCDSA and the County of Oakland have reached a settlement on some grievance issues regarding Overtime Pay on Leave Days. This settlement marks the latest in positive resolutions of issues during the negotiation and grievance process, and the OCDSA is grateful to the County for continuing to work in an effort to reach solutions to these issues.
A copy of the settlement is available HERE.TREASURER'S BLOG HAS BEEN UPDATED
SEE BLOG
If for some reason you can not pay your dues online or send them by mail. Below is a list of names that you can give your Dues to. We encourage everyone to use the website however understand if you can't. The Deputies listed below will only be collecting checks or money orders (No Cash). Even thou I see most of these people nearly everyday, hand to hand collection takes the longest to update. So give it ten days before you start calling or emailing the Treasurer. Also if your bank has online bill payment, that is a great way to pay also. Use the P.O. Box as the address and your 4 digit badge number as the account number.
Tim Kyriakides - TCMP/Mids
Tim Lanfear - Main/Days
Rob Upchurch - Main/Days
Brian Partogian - WRLS/Aft
Mark "Chevy" Chevaliar - WRLS/Mids
Maureen Iman - Courts/Days
Dave Carnes - Annex/Mids
Any EB Member
As always feel free to call me on 2487704310 or email ChrisK@ocdsa.com
***Correction VP Blog Updated***
Make sure to check out the blogs also.
Dear Members,
The Road Patrol (312) arbitration is well underway with the comparables and ability to pay hearings finished. We have also completed our presentation on all the non-economic items, and a considerable portion of the economic issues. The following is a summary of some of the proposals the Association has presented to the Arbitration panel:
July 16th Location Preference
This proposal would provide for a location bump every year(instead of two) administered by the union which would allow full seniority rights just as has been agreed for the non 312 group. This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. I testified on the importance of this issue to our members and their families. Major Shields testified on why they agreed to this issue for the non 312 group but do not want the 312 group to have it.
July 16th Special Unit Assignments
The Association has proposed time limits in certain assignments, and that seniority be a factor in the selection process. This proposal would provide a better opportunity for more members to work in special units. This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. I testified as to the benefits associated with the training and experience of special unit assignments and the unions desire to make the positions accessible to more members.
July 17th Article 19 - Adoption by Reference
This proposal would eliminate the language from our contract that could allow Board of Commissioner resolutions to unilaterally alter terms and conditions of employment by changing the Merit Rules or by resolution, thereby negatively impact members. This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. I testified as to the union’s concern for this language and presented examples of resolutions that have been passed by The Board of Commissioners and the impact of those resolutions on our members. Tom Eaton testified as to the bargaining history and that past boards had accepted this language without challenge.
July 17th Forensic Lab Positions
This proposal seeks to make Forensic Lab positions available to both 312 and non-312 members. This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. Tim Robotham testified to the reasons that the OCDSA believes that all members should have the option to test for Forensic Lab positions.
July 17th Use of Reserves
The OCDSA has operated under a letter of agreement with The Sheriff’s Office in how reserve officers are to be utilized since 1985. This proposal simply wants that letter placed into our collective bargaining agreement so all are aware of the agreement. This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. I testified as to the high quality of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reserves, their value to the community, and the benefit of a stable relationship to both members and the department. I also warned of the negative reaction and moral problems associated with reserves being utilized outside the letter of agreement. Major Shield’s testified that while the Sheriff’s Office has honored the letter of agreement, and there have been no problems, the Sheriff may want to utilize reserves outside the letter of agreement in the future.
July 30th /31st Investigative Procedures/Bill Of Rights
This proposal would create some basic guidelines for internal and criminal investigation of members, as is standard in progressive collective bargaining agreements, including the comparables. We are seeking to minimize (to the extent practical) the anxiety associated with a member becoming involved in an investigation. Also included in this proposal is language that would create limits for the time period that discipline can be remain in members files. This proposal was presented by Attorney Chad Englehardt and the primary testimony came from myself, alternate Chief Steward Dave Bach for the union, and Major Damon Shields for the Sheriff‘s Office.
August 6 Compensatory Time
This proposal seeks guidelines for the accumulation and use of compensatory or flex time as already exists on an informal basis throughout the department. This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. I testified as to the use and problems associated with comp time and the need to legitimize its existence. Major Shields testified that comp or flex time does not exist and that when it is discovered he stops its use.
August 6th Holiday Pay
This proposal seeks holiday pay for every Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Years and New Years Eve every year, including years when the Eves fall on weekends . This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. Tim Rowbotham testified as to the reason for the proposal and Tom Eaton testified that no other employees have this benefit under the Merit Rules and we should be denied it also.
August 6th Basis Of Representation
This proposal seeks full time release for the union president and a monthly 60 hour leave bank to be distributed as needed among the other elected board members. This proposal was presented by Attorney Jim Moore. I testified as to the need for full time release and some of the attempts by the County to interfere with the Association’s efforts to represent our members.
August 12th Wages
Our wage proposal remains at 3 percent raise per year for all years. This proposal will be presented by Attorney Jim Moore.
The remaining economic issues including health care benefits will be presented on the 19-21 of this month. Hearing dates for retirement issues will likely be September 8-12, (they will be set for certain at the August 12 hearing) which should conclude the arbitration hearings. Attorney Rodger Webb will present the retirement issues. In regards to retirement, the Association continues to seek a defined benefit retirement plan for all members, which includes overtime factored into FAC and a duty disability retirement, with fixed health care retirement benefits, i.e. not subject to unilateral change by the County. Please remember that all arbitration hearings are open to our members, and I encourage members to attend. The hearings are at MERC in Detroit and start at 10:00 and usually last until about 5:00. If you need directions, call any executive board members. Any change in dates will be posted on the website.
Corrections and Court Services Unit
Fact Finding Petition Filed
We filed for fact finding on behalf of the Corrections and Court Services Unit on July 8, 2008. Despite the County’s objection to fact finding (on the grounds that Deputies should just accept the same treatment as other county employees) the process for choosing a hearing officer (Fact finder) for fact finding has begun by MERC. The fact finding process does not stop the parties from continuing to meet and negotiate or mediate the remaining issues. We have advised the County that we would like to do so.
Recently members received a letter at their home from Mr. Tom Eaton. The clear purpose of his correspondence was to by-pass your negotiations team and present his case directly to you. I am aware of how many of you have regarded his correspondence and the “final offer” that it described.
I would like to share some thoughts on the current negotiations including the “final offer” made by the Tom Eaton. From the start of these negotiations it has appeared to me that the County’s primary tactic has been to delay progress in an attempt to create anxiety and a real hardship for members. They apparently believe that if we and our families suffer enough that our resolve will lessen and we will accept less that a fair contract. The County intends for us to become like all other County Unions and employees in that they do not have to “negotiate” contracts but instead simply threaten to impose them. The County has succeeded in part as most members are experiencing a real hardship and increased anxiety due to the prolonged negotiations and harsh economic reality.
The County’s “Final Offer” is the most significant movement they have made in the entire negotiations and it was well received by your negotiations team. Their Final Offer resolved some outstanding issues and puts us much closer on others but did not address some significant items. For example the Final Offer does not provide for a proper wage increase (not even the amount given to other County employees), it does not guarantee the police academy for members (it would give the Sheriff sole authority to decide who, if anyone to send to the academy), it does not provide for union security , it does not provide a much needed improvement to our retirement.
On July 07, 2008, we met at MERC for the purpose of responding to the County’s “Final Offer”. Prior to meeting with the County your negotiations team met with the mediators. During this meeting we advised the mediators that we were ready to respond to the County on their Final Offer and we also identified three issues that we felt could be resolved with our new offer. We then met with the County to present our counter proposal which would include our significant movement on those three issues. Shortly into the joint session, County Attorney Malcolm Brown made it very clear that we would only be allowed to “tweak one or two or maybe three “of the issues contained in their final offer. We clearly could not accept the County putting us in their box and limiting us to just tweaking those issues they placed in their box. After a private discussion we advised the County that we did not come to mediation to tweak but rather to negotiate. Malcolm Brown advised us that their position had not changed and so the session ended. I mentioned this exchange at MERC to make this point. What would it have cost the County to have heard our counter proposal and the significant movement that we were ready to make on three other issues? Malcolm Brown and Tom Eaton were certainly paid by the County to negotiate that day and they went back to their offices that day not knowing what items we were ready to resolve and our new position on others. I hope this strategy is not embraced by Brooks Patterson, Sheriff Bouchard or the Board of Commissioners.
Union Dues
The County’s latest tactic to undermine the foundation of this union is to suspend dues check off. This is just another attempt to create a hardship for members and their union. I have been pleased with the response by members and the executive board is aware that most members who have not paid are waiting for us to complete the payroll deductions forms. These forms will allow the dues to be taken out of your paycheck as in the past and should be available soon. You can continue to mail your dues to the PO box listed on the website, through credit card payment via the on-line system, or simply hand them(no cash please) to any executive board member. We will keep a roster on our website so that members can check to make sure their payments are being properly credited.
Discharge Arbitrations
We have been very busy handling numerous discharge arbitration cases for members. A lot of time and preparations go into putting on a proper case on behalf of members who have been unjustly fired. Most hearings last two to three days and all members are represented by a union attorney with the assistance of myself and Tim Rowbotham (and sometimes Stacey Grandison and/or Jon Peters). I expect all four discharged members to be back to work soon as the evidence shows that they clearly should not have been discharged.
Re-assignment to the jail
Most members are aware that I have been involuntarily transferred to the jail. My transfer is self explanatory to most. I will continue to work hard on behalf of all members regardless of my assignment.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me or other board members any time (248) 830-1549. Gary McClure, President
Arbitration hearings took place at MERC today. Present were the arbitration panel; arbitrator Donald Sugerman, Tom Eaton for the County, and Gary McClure for the Association. Also present for the County were Major Damon Shields, Captain Berry Zeeman, and attorney Malcolm Brown. Also present for the Association were Tim Rowbotham, Jon Peters, attorney Chad Engelhardt, and attorney Jim Moore.
Topics discussed at the hearing included comp time, holiday pay, and basis of representation. An additional arbitration date of August 12 was agreed upon, where rebuttals will be heard on today's covered topics. Additional dates will be set at that time to cover retirement issues. The hearings set for August 19, 20, and 21 will convene as previously agreed upon.
- Dues Payment Records
Updated: Sep 5 2008 - Meeting Agendas and Minutes
Updated: Aug 6 2008 - OCDSA Dept. of Governmental Relations
Updated: Aug 4 2008 - Important Legislation
Updated: Aug 4 2008 - Political Action Committee
Updated: Aug 4 2008
