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Dear Local 2748 Member,
Professional Social Services members who work for the Dept. of Corrections received a message sent last Thursday night, February 17th, by Deputy Secretary Raemisch, wherein DOC Administration essentially tries to justify their union-busting efforts, via direct appeal to our membership.
Please keep in mind that Local 2748 is by far the largest and most diverse local within WSEU Council 24. Local 2748 represents well over 3,000 people; individuals who work in many different Professional Social Services jobs, for separate agencies, across all 72 Wisconsin counties. By way of comparison Council 24 has 62 total locals representing approximately 25,000 employees. Excluding Local 2748 and Local 171 [a large Madison local], leaves about 20,000 employees represented by 60 locals. 20,000 divided by 60 = 333. What this means is that Local 2748 is about ten times larger than the average local in Council 24.
It has been my privilege to serve as Local 2748 President since August of 1996, with the exception of the twelve week period from 09/24/04 to 12/17/04. Our membership has approximately doubled over the past eight and a half years, growth accompanied by far greater union involvement by our members themselves and by the elected leadership on their behalf.
While serving my first term as Local 2748 President [1996-1998] I did my best to carry out my probation/parole agent responsibilities AND the duties that come along with being an effective president for a large union. This "double life" cannot be successfully carried on by anyone. It would not have mattered if rather than a probation/parole agent, I had been a Voc Rehab Counselor or Unemployment Benefits Specialist in DWD, or a Psychologist or Social Worker in any of our agencies. Professional Social Services jobs carry caseload responsibilities, which sets us apart from the other, generally smaller, WSEU locals.
In 1999, the union did reach an agreement with the employer about the work status of the Local 2748 president. Based upon our mutual recognition that no one benefited from 'undone' casework, DOC agreed to provide ongoing relief. In return, DOC got something they wanted, conversion of three vacant agent positions to nonrepresented 'trainers' for the Agent Basic Training [ABT] program. This agreement has been in place now for six years.
DOC Administration describes our agreement with them as "indefensible" and "wrong." They would like you to believe that this type of practice originated with me in 1999. In reality, this sort of arrangement is commonplace for large labor unions across Wisconsin and the United States. The underlying principle involves a mutual desire and ability to quickly problem-solve, avoiding much lost worker productivity and the huge expense of formal grievances and litigation.
We strongly disagree with Secretary Frank's February 14th characterization of their intentions toward "labor-management relations." Instead of ”committed to working with” us, DOC immediately tried to shut Local 2748 down when I and the other table officers were re-elected in December.
DOC wants you to think that this issue concerns only me and my role. The truth is that all Local 2748 stewards in DOC are now under fire. Anyone who challenges DOC's surveillance and control of the union is being put under investigation and "gagged." Current DOC Administration refuses to work with us or other union officials at any level, on matters affecting few or many employees.
I guess from that standpoint, they really don't need any union officials or stewards. DOC Administration plans to make all the decisions and to do as they please, without hearing from you through your elected representatives.
Brothers and sisters in the union, we are presently in rough waters but please remember that our union has won three consecutive Wisconsin Employment Relations Commission decisions related to DOC's illegal interference with Local 2748 operations. Our case will be made to WERC in a straightforward manner and based on past experience, we are confident of success.
It is also anticipated that based on DOC's unfortunate lack of respect for WERC authority, we will have to take those rulings to Circuit Court for enforcement.
In the meanwhile, I and other Local 2748 officers and stewards will do our best to continue representing your interests. With your help, we will do what it takes to preserve our union rights. We know that we have your support. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you and stay strong!
In Solidarity,
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