Contract Facts for Custody Assistants and Unit 621

I hope this finds you and your families all doing well. These are tough times, and under these circumstances many of you maintain a level of attendance and professionalism that is appreciated, if not by your unit, then hopefully by your peers.

Negotiations will be coming up in a few months. We will continue to assess the climate leading up to assembling the negotiations team.

Here are some facts:

• A specific ask regarding salary has not been established.
• The negotiations team has not met, nor has it been assembled.
• There are eight classifications in Bargaining Unit 621.
• Your final raise from the current contract will be issued on October 1, 2024, at 3.25%.
• The current contract expires March 31, 2025.
• Negotiations will begin in the months prior to the expiration of the contract.
• Negotiations will be in person. The previous contract was done via Zoom.

More information will follow as we get closer and a schedule of meeting dates has been established.

Members of Custody Assistant Class #111 began their Academy on March 4. They started with 14 recruits. The numbers are not what they traditionally have been; however, at this critical juncture, bodies are bodies. As long as the Department can consistently put out a class, every item helps.

Specialized programs continue to be problematic for Custody Division. Their continued expansion is at the detriment of the line, adding to the attrition and fatigue of those remaining to shoulder the workload of overtime mandates and drafting.

Unfortunately, the goalpost gets moved when it comes to program staffing, as consent decrees and those funding these programs disregard where the staffing comes from and the collateral damage it causes.

The request for additional station jailer items was included in the Department’s budget proposal. Regrettably, it was denied. PPOA will continue to advocate for an increase in jailer items and to relieve the overburdened position.

I want to acknowledge the retirements of Eddie Smith, Roy Johnson and Lina Awi. Congratulations on reaching the finish line. Your contributions as partners are appreciated. Job well done, and enjoy the spoils.

And to those still going 10-8, pour into yourselves as best as you can. Rest whenever you can and partake in family time whenever possible.

Take care. Be safe.