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Sunday, October 25, 2009
SCO LETTER #09-020
Paycheck Protection Issues
‘Paycheck protection’ proposition pondered for 2010 ballot
By John Howard | 10/22/09 12:00 AM PSTA ballot fight looms over limiting the use of government workers’ union dues for political purposes, a life-or-death issue for organized labor. Two similar initiatives have been rejected in the recent past, including the 1998 battle over “paycheck protection” that ultimately played a significant role in the election of Democratic Gov. Gray Davis.
A group of Orange County political players, led by Irvine attorney Mark Bucher and Costa Mesa Mayor Alan Mansoor, filed a pair of proposed ballot initiatives with the state attorney general’s office for an official title and summary, the first step to placing them on the ballot. One proposal would bar public employee unions from deducting money from a worker for political purposes. The second requires a public employee union to get advance permission in writing before deducting money for political activity.
“I don’t really see this as a partisan issue,” said Bucher, a Republican, who led a campaign in 1998 in support of Proposition 226, the “paycheck protection” initiative. “An employee should have to give permission before a union can use its money for politics. However the money is collected, the union has to get permission from its members to do that.”
Bucher declined to discuss the funding for the latest initiatives, although he expected to see involvement “from the grass roots movements we’ve seen in the past couple of years.” Others signing the initiatives’ filing included Dawn Wildman, an anti-tax activist, and Mark Meckler, who organizes anti-tax “Tea Parties.” The proposals are all but certain to draw financial support from groups opposed to organized labor in the past, such as the business community, manufacturers and Republic political groups inside and outside California, among others.
Added to the political mix faced by public employee unions is another proposed initiative to lower pension benefits, bump up the age of retirement and establish a statewide pension rate. Details of that proposal were reported by the CalPensions blog. A group called the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility, which was founded by forrmer Republican Assemblyman Keith Richman of Northridge, is sponsoring the pension initiative. It hopes to get the initiative on the November 2010 ballot.
The combination of dues-limiting initiatives combined with proposed limits on workers’ pensions is all but certain to lead to a major political battle.
Labor views attempts to limit their political activities as highly partisan.
“It’s another example of the right-wing attack on public employees,” said Bruce Blanning of the 13,000-member Professional Engineers in California Government. “No public employee has to belong to its union and no public employee has to allow any money to be used for political purposes. Each year, they get a chance to object to that, and if they do object to that, the money is not spent.”
Blanning and others noted that mounting campaigns against the dues and pension proposals would be costly. “We’ll have to educate the public and that’s expensive,” he added.
Blocking the use of dues for political purposes or requiring prior consent cripples the unions’ ability to advocate for their causes and divides union members on political action, they say. The proposed initiatives would affect all public employee groups, including three of the most powerful, the 95,000-member Local 1000 of the Service Employees International Union, the 340,000-member California Teachers Associationand the 30,000-member California Correctional Peace Officers Association. The umbrella union groups, such as the California Labor Federation which is affiliated with groups representing some 4 million workers, also are closely watching the ballot proposals.
The fight over Proposition 226 resulted in galvanizing organized labor, according to political analysts on both sides of the issue.
Proponents were outspent about 10-to-1 by the opponents, who by Election Day in June 1998 had spent more than $22 million to block the measure. The opposition came mostly from labor unions and their traditional Democratic allies.
The most visible supporter of Proposition 226 was former Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, who said it would prevent union shakedowns.
But labor denounced the Proposition as hypocritical, noting that it sought to block unions’ contributions but allowed the contributions of corporate interests and company shareholders. In the end, the proposition was defeated by about 300,000 votes, or about 53 percent to 47 percent. The fierce campaign energed labor's grass roots groups, who remained active after the Jujne election and campaigned hard for Davis, who ultimately defeated GOP rival Dan Lungren in a landslide.
Seven years later, Gov. Schwarzenegger led a Republican- and business-backed attempt, Proposition 75, to require prior consent of public employees to use their union dues for political purposes. That measure, part of a package of changes sought by the governor’s GOP advisers and legislative supporters, also was rejected, as were the governor’s other proposals.
The track record, then, is that “paycheck protection” measures face an uphill political fight. But labor and other opponents, fearful that the proposal may merge at any time, are always on their guard.
“The reality is that if you ask people generally whether they should have more control over their money, voters would say yes. Voters like control, so to defeat it there has to be a sustained campaign to defeat it. Those people who oppose these measures, they think there is always a potential threat to pass them,” said political strategist Matt Rexroad. “When there’s no campaign for or against and it just appears on the ballot, there is a possibility it would just pass.”
Ryan ShermanDirector, Research & Analysis755 Riverpoint DriveWest Sacramento, CA 95605916-372-6060 ext. 259916-716-1400 (cell)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
STATE FURLOUGHING AT 24-HOUR FACILITIES DOESN'T SAVE
Study: Furloughing at 24-hour facilities doesn't save
Unpaid days likely will be more costlyPosted: 10/20/2009 08:45:18 PM PDTFurloughing employees at 24-hour care facilities could end up costing more in the long run than it saves in the short term, according to a study released this month by the state Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.The situation could create additional, significant costs for taxpayers down the road because furloughs aren't eliminating but instead are pushing labor costs to the future, the report says.
"Some state jobs cannot stop for furloughs," the report says, "most prominently the care and supervision ofprison inmates and people with serious developmental disabilities and mental illnesses."
Under an executive order from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, in July most state workers began taking three unpaid days off per month, the equivalent of a 14percent pay cut for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
Most state agencies responded by taking three unpaid Fridays off each month. But 24-hour facilities, such as prisons and mental facilities, don't close, so employees can't follow a set furlough schedule.
The situation has resulted in certain state employees, such as corrections officers and psychiatric technicians, working three 40-hour weeks each month in which they're paid for 32 and then bank the 24 hours of unpaid time for later use.
That banked time must be used before June 30, 2012, state officials have said. When it is used, workers will be paid for the time off because they've already absorbed the 14percent cut, the report says.
Since they'll eventually be paid for furlough hours, the plan is only delaying labor costs, not eliminating them like it does with other state employees, the study says.
About 33,000 state employees paid from the general fund work at 24-hour facilities, so this policy is passing on a significant cost, the report says.
"Correctional workers banked 1.5million furlough hours between February and August 2009," the report says. "Most are correctional officers. At a (top) pay rate of $34.91 an hour, those hours create a future liability of at least $52million."
The report cites a February-to-August period because Schwarzenegger started furloughs in February at two days per month, then upped it to three in July.
The state is requiring workers to use the banked furlough hours before any other time off, such as vacation orsick time, as one strategy to ensure it's used by the deadline, officials have said.
This is creating another future cost because more vacation or sick time is saved and likely won't be cashed out until retirement or upon leaving state employment, the report says.
When vacation time is cashed out the state will likely have to honor it at a higher rate of pay than if it were used at current rates, said Lance Corcoran, a spokesman for the California Correctional Peace Officers Association, which represents over 30,000 state correction officers and parole agents.
"That's what this administration is doing, bankrupting future administrations," Corcoran said. "(Schwarzenegger's) going to be long gone, making `Terminator 16,' when this bill is due."
Former Gov. Pete Wilson implemented a similar program in 1991 when state workers took one furlough each month, Corcoran said.
"We have people who are retiring today with 144 hours that they're cashing out, not at 1991 (pay) rates, but what the time is worth in 2009," he said.
Aaron McLear, a Schwarzenegger spokesman, said state agencies have always paid out unused vacation time and budgets won't be changed to cover more hours.
"We won't be increasing budgets," McLear said. `They'll have to pay that out with their existing budget."
Through the first quarter of the 2009-10 fiscal year, the furloughs are on pace to save $1.3 billion from the general fund and $2.1 billion overall, when including labor costs paid from other funds, McLear said.
Several state employee unions are against furloughs, McLear said. While they're protecting the interests of members, they're also failing to realize sacrifices are needed in a depressed economy, he said.
"At a time when 12 percent of Californians are unemployed and the state is slashing billions ... it is outrageous to argue that state employees should be shielded from the same economic reality everyone is facing," he said.
Ryan ShermanDirector, Research & Analysis755 Riverpoint DriveWest Sacramento, CA 95605916-372-6060 ext. 259916-716-1400 (cell)
POWERFUL VIDEO
Click on the tittle to go to this video. This is a very powerful video, Share it with your family and children. Maybe this is a lesson we all can learn from. Sometimes we do need to stop and smell the roses. Life is too short and we are living to fast.
If you can, read along as she talks, especially when she reverses the video.
Hope you enjoy this
STAFF SEARCH'S REACH OUT TO CCC
Today, we finally got hit. Coming into work at 0600 hours we were searched. They stopped the search around 0730 ish. Which really doesn't make any sense since most non-custody staff come in during that time. So this search mostly was aimed towards custody it seems. We didn't look bad, but we didn't look good either. They found some tobacco, phones, reading material, CD's, a few jump-drives, etc. I was able to talk to the Administration and got the feeling that there may be some ECR's & LOI's. Not sure yet until the dust settles. So we will have to wait and see.
I have been preaching this for months; to check yourselves before you come to work. They are searching ALL institutions. And they will be back. It is not worth money out of your check. All I can say is leave it at home and take a couple of seconds to check yourselves. And do yourself and your partner a favor, if you see something that a staff member did in fact bring in that they probably shouldn't have, tell them. Look out for each other. Bottom line. If I brought a pocket knife in, lost it and an inmate got ahold of it, then stabbed a staff member and they died. I would feel like shit. That is a heavy load to handle.
I know there are some who will look at this as all b.s., but whatever any of us feel, they make the rules and we gotta abide by them. I don't have to agree with it, nor any of you, but we have to remember where we are at and who is around us. Like I said, I don't ever want the responsibility of staff getting hurt because of my own nonsense. Take it for what it's worth.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Questions............
DVI started this trend on their blog and I will try it here. The question is how is the mandate Furlough's effected you family/life. Write something up, put it in my mail box and I will forward it to the Legislator. Include how you have struggled, what you have lost, ect. you get the idea. Somehow we need to wake these guys up, so we r trying this. We can't stop trying.
Second question; Please let us how we can improve ourselves as a Local Union Board. What are are weakest points. What are our good points. If we don't have any feedback, we can't fix it. We have had positive input on this site, getting the information out to everyone. that seemed to be the biggest complaint.
Thanks for your response.
Lori
GIVE CREIDT WHERE IT'S DO...
I must say, I was surprised with our last two Skelly's. Both were dropped down to LOI's, the Adverse Action dropped. I know I have vented in the past on the un-fair justice we have been getting. It feels good when a good cop is off the hook. I have seen too many good cops get burned for simple mistakes. And that gets frustrating after awhile. I will always stress, we are human before we are Peace Officers. We will make "honest mistakes" in our careers. That's the point I am trying to get across to CDCr. Again, no one is perfect.
I am still set firm on everyone treating others fair. We do not need anymore stress. So I will take that subject all the way to the top. I will say this again to all Supervisors. No matter your rank or pay-grade, we are on the same side. It is us against the men in blue. I hope one day some will listen to this.
We had our monthly Wardens meeting today. Many issues were brought forward on both sides.
1) Discussion on the hold-overs. If the hold-overs don't ease off by the end of this week, we will sit down again with them and discuss the next options. Some idea's thrown on the table were, initiating "Strike teams", letting Camp's come inside to work overtime. Possibly reducing programs, and the swaps were brought up again. I did ask them to please meet us half way on the swaps and not pull them completely. I again brought up the issue that I had brought forward 6 weeks ago on closing programs when holdovers are held on their Friday's.
2) Discussion on rosters; There seems to be issues going on when the proper pay code is not on the roster's and staff are not being paid o.t. Also we are pushing to get the seniority list for the duel appointments so they are hired fairly.
3) We are still in discussion faze with the staff gym.
4) There was also some discussion on possibly making a plan for first watch if transports or something happens where first watch is at a dangerous low staffing level, we come up with a plan; ie: Delay work release/short line/the morning meal until second watch came on shift. This option will be further reviewed.
Besides that, nothing else new to report. It seems the state is scrambling around with all the staff retiring and receiving pink slips. Locally it looks like we may be loosing ATLEAST 30-40 Officers. This will be bad for us. If anybody has any input on remedies for this, please forward them to me.
Staff Save and Sane
Lori Olah
CCC Chapter President
Monday, October 19, 2009
PERCEPTION
By B-Polished
DVI Blog
This is another word that we hear a lot about especially during training and more specifically, the Sexual Harassment class during the OPT (Off Post Training) or IST Block Training. But recently I’ve been hearing it more on the line in conversations with supervisors and between staff. Again I question if the department, Administration or even our union uses the dictionary’s definition or if they’ve made up their own… again, let’s look and see:
The American Heritage Dictionary, Second Edition states;
PERCEPTION (per-sep-shen) noun 1. The process, act, or faculty of perceiving. 2. The effect or product of perceiving… {So I looked up the root word, perceive}
PERCEIVE (per-sev) transitive verb 1. To become aware of directly through any of the senses, esp. to hear or see. 2. To take notice of; observe. 3. To become aware of in one’s mind; achieve understanding of.
How are we trained when it comes to ‘perception’ or what is ‘perceived’? I thought long about it, even asked a few people and we were all in agreement with CDCR’s definition. These are the answers I received;
• To ‘perceive’ is to possibly have the wrong understanding or view of what was said or done.
• ‘Perception’ is the viewpoint of one which may not have a clear understanding of what was said, done or viewed.
• If you ‘perceive’ something, someone may take an occurrence out of context than what the meaning is without hearing the full statement or seeing the full activity.
• To have something taken the wrong way.
Does the definition by CDCR standards mirror what is in the dictionary?
Administration has a double standard in definitions in certain areas that need to be crystal clear. They are deciding on people’s lives, careers, reputations, finances and futures on the definition of a word that is flipped like a proverbial two headed coin that always favor against us. Intimidation is also used if you attempt to answer without a positive yes or no regarding what you saw or heard. This intimidation tactic will leave you feeling questionable on how you feel on what you report because as a so-called ‘trained observer’, you are led to believe nothing will get past those eagle eyes if something happens in your area of responsibility. Well I have news for you… before you are an officer, you are human and sometimes you can be unsure of what you see or hear, especially walking in the middle of the conversation or incident.
My advice to any of you is to be sure before you report. And if you’re not sure, say you’re not sure. No one can use the truth against you and it does not look bad if you tell the truth and admit you aren’t sure of what you saw or heard. It does look bad if you attempt to boost yourself up in the eyes of supervisor’s or administration by reporting what you think you saw and not what actually happened. Let’s face it, there are times when we may be in a position to see, but not hear what lead up to an incident. Your ‘perception’ may be different than what the accurate truth is if you are not in the immediate area from the beginning of an incident and you may end up with your own veracity in question. if you don’t have all the answers and aren’t sure what you saw or heard, own up and stick to the fact that you don’t have all the answers. You will become more credible than you realize.
The hardest part of our job is not what may happen and how we react to it, but how we face ourselves every day and have to own up to not only our own actions but also our shortcomings. Our honesty and integrity is the strongest character we hold and they are always under attack. They are attacked on all fronts by inmates, other staff members, supervisors and administration. We must remain honest to ourselves. I would rather throw myself under the bus and admit being unsure, than be wrong about what I saw happen or over heard. I may not be looked at as the best witness but at least I can sleep with my integrity in tack knowing I was honest of what I reported. Remember, what you report may not only be used in a court of law, it may also be used to burn a fellow officer. Understand what you ‘perceive’ before you report because the definition that supervisors and Administration use may not be the one you comprehend. I’m just sayin…
DVI Blog
This is another word that we hear a lot about especially during training and more specifically, the Sexual Harassment class during the OPT (Off Post Training) or IST Block Training. But recently I’ve been hearing it more on the line in conversations with supervisors and between staff. Again I question if the department, Administration or even our union uses the dictionary’s definition or if they’ve made up their own… again, let’s look and see:
The American Heritage Dictionary, Second Edition states;
PERCEPTION (per-sep-shen) noun 1. The process, act, or faculty of perceiving. 2. The effect or product of perceiving… {So I looked up the root word, perceive}
PERCEIVE (per-sev) transitive verb 1. To become aware of directly through any of the senses, esp. to hear or see. 2. To take notice of; observe. 3. To become aware of in one’s mind; achieve understanding of.
How are we trained when it comes to ‘perception’ or what is ‘perceived’? I thought long about it, even asked a few people and we were all in agreement with CDCR’s definition. These are the answers I received;
• To ‘perceive’ is to possibly have the wrong understanding or view of what was said or done.
• ‘Perception’ is the viewpoint of one which may not have a clear understanding of what was said, done or viewed.
• If you ‘perceive’ something, someone may take an occurrence out of context than what the meaning is without hearing the full statement or seeing the full activity.
• To have something taken the wrong way.
Does the definition by CDCR standards mirror what is in the dictionary?
Administration has a double standard in definitions in certain areas that need to be crystal clear. They are deciding on people’s lives, careers, reputations, finances and futures on the definition of a word that is flipped like a proverbial two headed coin that always favor against us. Intimidation is also used if you attempt to answer without a positive yes or no regarding what you saw or heard. This intimidation tactic will leave you feeling questionable on how you feel on what you report because as a so-called ‘trained observer’, you are led to believe nothing will get past those eagle eyes if something happens in your area of responsibility. Well I have news for you… before you are an officer, you are human and sometimes you can be unsure of what you see or hear, especially walking in the middle of the conversation or incident.
My advice to any of you is to be sure before you report. And if you’re not sure, say you’re not sure. No one can use the truth against you and it does not look bad if you tell the truth and admit you aren’t sure of what you saw or heard. It does look bad if you attempt to boost yourself up in the eyes of supervisor’s or administration by reporting what you think you saw and not what actually happened. Let’s face it, there are times when we may be in a position to see, but not hear what lead up to an incident. Your ‘perception’ may be different than what the accurate truth is if you are not in the immediate area from the beginning of an incident and you may end up with your own veracity in question. if you don’t have all the answers and aren’t sure what you saw or heard, own up and stick to the fact that you don’t have all the answers. You will become more credible than you realize.
The hardest part of our job is not what may happen and how we react to it, but how we face ourselves every day and have to own up to not only our own actions but also our shortcomings. Our honesty and integrity is the strongest character we hold and they are always under attack. They are attacked on all fronts by inmates, other staff members, supervisors and administration. We must remain honest to ourselves. I would rather throw myself under the bus and admit being unsure, than be wrong about what I saw happen or over heard. I may not be looked at as the best witness but at least I can sleep with my integrity in tack knowing I was honest of what I reported. Remember, what you report may not only be used in a court of law, it may also be used to burn a fellow officer. Understand what you ‘perceive’ before you report because the definition that supervisors and Administration use may not be the one you comprehend. I’m just sayin…
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Use Of Force Policy
CDCr has just released their new Use of force Policy. If anybody is interested in a copy, let me know and I will e-mail it to you. If I don't have you on my mailing list, then send my your addy.
I will look through it tomorrow. I am sorry I couldn't fully get the Memo corrected from Perry Speth. Hopefully it will be fixed by tomorrow. You can click on the tittle and that will take you to the AB.
Stay Safe and Sane
Lori Olah
CCC Chapter President
ALL EMPLOYEE'S ARE CIVIL SERVANTS
I have been sick with the flu all week, but I have been very busy at home. Writing some serious paperwork on Supervisors. WTF do these guys think they are doing? Just because they have chevrons or bars does not mean that the duties of CDCR Conduct does not apply to them. Plain and simple. Infact, they should be held to a higher standard then us little cops. Well they are going to wake up to a rude awaking when I am done with them. And to be honest, this is not what should be happening. As you all know, I have preached endlessly, "we are supposed to be on the same side". So what part of this do they not understand? Maybe they need some IST on ethics of CDCR.
As supervisor's, their responsibilities are to insure staff are current on all policies. To protect your staff and to train. Where is it written to act like a freaking idiot to your staff? To create a hostile work environment on staff? To humiliate your staff? I can't find that procedure anywhere. Any suggestions??
Maybe these guys need to read The Code of Conduct for CDCR, Tittle 15, Section 3391, Irresponsibility or unethical conduct reflecting discredit to themselves or the department....Or how about California Code of Regulations, Tittle 2, section 172 General Qualifications.
Just because these Supervisors came from another institution, don't bring your bad conduct with you. CCC has been a pro active prison. We can write memo's too. We can play that game. A smart civil servant would adjust to their new surrounding, not shove their own personal agenda on everyone. If you see something wrong, there is a procedure for your suggestions. Don't create animosity among staff. We only have each other inside the walls. If you want animosity within the ranks, then so be it. You will be out numbered and issues will be brought forward to the appropriate personal. Maybe you should play it safe and go back to where you came from. Your antics are not going to work at our house.
As for the rest of you that are doing your jobs everyday, just be aware on what is going on. If you do have a supervisor breaking any CDCR procedures, write it down and contact us. We will be working hard on keeping these wanna be cut-throats in line.
Stay Safe and Sane
Lori
As supervisor's, their responsibilities are to insure staff are current on all policies. To protect your staff and to train. Where is it written to act like a freaking idiot to your staff? To create a hostile work environment on staff? To humiliate your staff? I can't find that procedure anywhere. Any suggestions??
Maybe these guys need to read The Code of Conduct for CDCR, Tittle 15, Section 3391, Irresponsibility or unethical conduct reflecting discredit to themselves or the department....Or how about California Code of Regulations, Tittle 2, section 172 General Qualifications.
Just because these Supervisors came from another institution, don't bring your bad conduct with you. CCC has been a pro active prison. We can write memo's too. We can play that game. A smart civil servant would adjust to their new surrounding, not shove their own personal agenda on everyone. If you see something wrong, there is a procedure for your suggestions. Don't create animosity among staff. We only have each other inside the walls. If you want animosity within the ranks, then so be it. You will be out numbered and issues will be brought forward to the appropriate personal. Maybe you should play it safe and go back to where you came from. Your antics are not going to work at our house.
As for the rest of you that are doing your jobs everyday, just be aware on what is going on. If you do have a supervisor breaking any CDCR procedures, write it down and contact us. We will be working hard on keeping these wanna be cut-throats in line.
Stay Safe and Sane
Lori
SFbg/Another POS paper
http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2009/10/prison_report_no_accountabilit_1.html
http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2009/10/prison_report_the_cell_phone_q.html
CLICK ON THE TITTLE TO GO TO THE BLOG
Anything that will really piss me off, reading in a paper on how the poor inmates have to live in hell in prison. How staff abuse them, they have no medical, they have no decent living conditions, etc.
Well thats what the San Fransisco paper has done. Somehow, they "supposedly" have a connection with an inmate in the system. If you log on that site, scroll down and the POS inmate has several blogs. Of course we all know how inmates are, they flat out lie. They complain about EVERYTHING. They exaggerate their conditions. Comments on some of the blogs consist of how dirty staff are (bringing in cell phones) to straight abusing their authority. So we get some bleeding heart liberal reading this crap and buy it.
The bottom line......Inmates have more rights then any other sector in California. We always hear about the poor freaking babies. The public never hear about the real victims, the children the are loosing their programs. The vets that have fought for their country having no programs. The elderly that continually are loosing their programs. The public doesn't hear about the staff that have been assaulted and how it may screw them up mentally. Nor do they hear about how staff are losing their lively hood because of all the cutbacks. The freaking liberals could care less. But oh hell they will jump for a POS inmate that cries wolf, accusing staff of misconduct, how crappy the food is, how crappy their meals are. I believe a read a blog on how the inmates have justified having cell phones, stating it gives them better opportunity to keep in contact with their loved ones on the street (this also would include the gangs making the drug drops/staff threats).
So I suppose there is a worse newspaper then the Bee. Its the San Fransisco!!!! All I have to say about this whole freaking mess is, we have lost our priorities as citizens. I don't know how it started, but it is in a full blown steam forward. And as long as these fucked up papers buy into the lies of convicted rapist and killers, we are in real danger.
I am requesting that everyone write to Mr. Tim Redmond (he is the mastermind behind this madness) and give him your professional thoughts.
Also I found these links within these blogs; hbrownhour.com & http://hatfield.homestead.com/FoodIssues.html, both are links on inmate families throwing lies out to the public. You will find pics from inside the prison on these sites also. I guess those nice cell phones that mama is bringing in to their sons are paying off for them................
Lori Olah
CCC Chapter President
http://www.sfbg.com/blogs/politics/2009/10/prison_report_the_cell_phone_q.html
CLICK ON THE TITTLE TO GO TO THE BLOG
Anything that will really piss me off, reading in a paper on how the poor inmates have to live in hell in prison. How staff abuse them, they have no medical, they have no decent living conditions, etc.
Well thats what the San Fransisco paper has done. Somehow, they "supposedly" have a connection with an inmate in the system. If you log on that site, scroll down and the POS inmate has several blogs. Of course we all know how inmates are, they flat out lie. They complain about EVERYTHING. They exaggerate their conditions. Comments on some of the blogs consist of how dirty staff are (bringing in cell phones) to straight abusing their authority. So we get some bleeding heart liberal reading this crap and buy it.
The bottom line......Inmates have more rights then any other sector in California. We always hear about the poor freaking babies. The public never hear about the real victims, the children the are loosing their programs. The vets that have fought for their country having no programs. The elderly that continually are loosing their programs. The public doesn't hear about the staff that have been assaulted and how it may screw them up mentally. Nor do they hear about how staff are losing their lively hood because of all the cutbacks. The freaking liberals could care less. But oh hell they will jump for a POS inmate that cries wolf, accusing staff of misconduct, how crappy the food is, how crappy their meals are. I believe a read a blog on how the inmates have justified having cell phones, stating it gives them better opportunity to keep in contact with their loved ones on the street (this also would include the gangs making the drug drops/staff threats).
So I suppose there is a worse newspaper then the Bee. Its the San Fransisco!!!! All I have to say about this whole freaking mess is, we have lost our priorities as citizens. I don't know how it started, but it is in a full blown steam forward. And as long as these fucked up papers buy into the lies of convicted rapist and killers, we are in real danger.
I am requesting that everyone write to Mr. Tim Redmond (he is the mastermind behind this madness) and give him your professional thoughts.
Also I found these links within these blogs; hbrownhour.com & http://hatfield.homestead.com/FoodIssues.html, both are links on inmate families throwing lies out to the public. You will find pics from inside the prison on these sites also. I guess those nice cell phones that mama is bringing in to their sons are paying off for them................
Lori Olah
CCC Chapter President
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Some Sound Advice for everyone
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE
1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes
Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY?
Because we were always outside playing....that's why!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem..
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
If YOU are one of them? CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ?
~
1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.
They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can and didn't get tested for diabetes.
Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-base paints.
We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had baseball caps not helmets on our heads.
As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes
Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.
We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and no one actually died from this.
We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And, we weren't overweight. WHY?
Because we were always outside playing....that's why!
We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day. And, we were O.K.
We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride them down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem..
We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's and X-boxes. There were no video games, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet and no chat rooms
WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!
We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.
We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.
We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!
These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever.
The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.
We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
If YOU are one of them? CONGRATULATIONS!
You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.
While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were.
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it ?
~
Monday, October 12, 2009
LETTER FROM A POOR INMATE THAT HAS THE ANSWER
Okay, this one really gets me. Anyone who has worked in a prison should not be surprised. Inmates complain about EVERYTHING. What gets me is............there will be some dumb ass sitting in the Capital, thinking,"this guy is right" and there goes Pandora's box. Sigh, I don't know anymore, inmates have more rights then free citizens. The papers will print this, but could care less about a single parent losing everything because of these furloughs............LoriPrison guards avoid cost-cutting, rip off taxpayersby Desha CarterHello to all of you dedicated fighters for justice and equality. I hope everyone is doing well during these economic hardships and severe cut-backs.The purpose for this missive is to address the issue of state ordered furloughs affecting all state workers in California… except those of the prison industrial complex.Allow me to expound: CDC (California Department of Corrections) has adopted a way to circumvent the impact of the furlough rule and, in the process of getting over by not having to adhere to this rule, never having to suffer any loss of their wages. They make extra money at the taxpayers’ expense!Here’s how it works: On the days that each guard is to take a furlough day, they instead use a “vacation” day, thus not being forced to lose any actual working hours. But here’s the kicker: When those “vacation” furlough positions are open, their buddies (other guards) fill in for them on those days and earn “pay and a half” (overtime pay) for a regular eight-hour shift that is going to be alternated between them all. And they are milking the taxpayers dry.This information needs to be brought before the Senate committee and the governor’s desk. This is a severe violation of funds appropriations and abuse of trust. The taxpayers of California should be made privy of this information so they may see how the penal system is taking them for a serious ride to the unemployment line and ultimately the poor house.The circumvention of the furlough rule isn’t extended to doctors and nurses at all. It is only for “prison guards” who are always whining about they’re not paid enough! What a crock. They already get paid too much for this babysitting job.Prisons are nowhere near as violent as they were in the ‘70s and ‘80s or even early ‘90s. The administration has made practically every prison into a “SNY” (snitch, pedophiles, rapists, victims’ yard) joint. All of the Level 4 180-degree design prisons are on a modified lockdown program like an Ad Seg or SHU unit; no going to the chow hall, no commissary, very limited program activity.And for those who give the slightest hint of being independent thinkers and/or can’t be controlled by their peers or don’t cower in the presence of guards, they are immediately made targets by the guards and accused of and ultimately framed for being an “associate” or “member” of a “prison gang.” Then given an “indeterminate SHU” sentence, where they either parole, snitch (drop out or debrief) or die!This is what prison has become. For those who want to just actively function amongst their peers, they’re either put on modified lockdown yards or validated and externally slammed in SHU. The only program choices are become a SNY or go to SHU to snitch, parole or die …At any rate, the CCPOA and CDC act with impunity in everything they do. That is why they don’t adhere to the furlough rule. Because they, like most law enforcement, believe the law does not apply to them.Why is it that if a regular Joe robs a store he’s sent to prison, but when prison guards (CDC and CCPOA union) rob the state (taxpayers), they get pay raises and promotions?I’ll conclude this missive, but I look forward to seeing active steps being made to expose this information to the people. Continue to fight for social justice and keep up the good work of bringing relevant issues concerning the community and being a voice for the voiceless, who would never be heard if not for your involvement.Revolution is a never-ending struggle. It is not for the faint hearted.Send our brother some love and light. Write to: Desha Carter, H-19027, 4B-3L-07, P.O. Box 3481, Corcoran CA 93212. And make some noise about the prison guard ripoff. Call your state legislators and tell them to obey thefederal judges’ order to release 44,000 prisoners – and lay off thousands of guards. – ed.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Freeway renamed to honor Correctional Officer Manuel Gonzales
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Sunday, September 20, 2009
Sunday 9/20/09
We had a staff assault on the Sierra yard this morning @ 0800 hours. The inmate apparently pushed the C/O in the shoulder. The inmate is now living in ad-seg.
I got the money to Officers Veitti & Hranak. Both were excited. They cannot believe the love they are receiving from their fellow officers. Hranak received $800, Veitti received $900. They said thank you to all the staff that helped. I would personally like to thank Stephanie Shepperd for being the brains behind this event.
Lori
Thursday, September 17, 2009
September 17, 2009
It sure would be nice to say, "What a nice smooth week". but I can't yet. Yesterday OSHA was called on our CMO. He decided to make a call on his department without even notifying his AW, Capt. or the Warden. Main Medical ran out of paper towels. So instead of asking someone for help, the CMO went and got a terry cloth towel and told all medical staff (all 100) of them, here is your community towel to keep your hands sanitary. I can say I personally talked to him and personally saw the "community towel" in medical. And this dude makes how much $$ ?. The business services A.W. was so shocked he was embarrassed. What a freakin joke!!!
We made $1,500 on our bake sale for Hranak and Veitti. What a turn out!! Thank you to all that helped and made this happen. I am still receiving $ from staff. Hopefully Steph and myself will make it over to both officers house by tomorrow to give them the money. I am challenging all board members to match my $50.00 to put in the pot. Both officers have CTB.
Bollie and I sat in with Administration on our quarantine issue. I basically told them that every time we put a dorm/building under quarantine, they act like it is the first time we are going through this. And we all run around with our heads in the sand. We requested that the Administration come up with a policy so down the road we have guide lines to go by. The proper people would be notified, we would have ample amount of sanitary supplies and we would try to contain the problem instead of spreading it. It's all common sense. I guess that is why it is so difficult to do it the right way. It sounds like the medical staff are not sure about the swine flu. This is a new strain of flu and there is not enough information out there on it. I atleast got him to admit that. One thing I cannot stand coming from the medical department is, "its just the flu, you don't need to over-react on it". That drives me batty!!! Because this is a new virus and nobody knows anything about it except that some die from it.
There was issues with the roof abatement. There were reports of tools and such blowing over the edge and falling on the ground. One incident a 20 pound tool box fell off the Main Gym roof. There was an officer standing in the spot were it landed (luckily he moved) and the tool box left a good size hole in the asphalt. I got with IDL and they marked off the ground area where they are working and put fall fencing on the Gym roof. Again, a common sense issue that should have been handle prior to the union having to step in and get the LRA involved.
There is talk about medical changing jobs/hours around on the first of the year. I do not have any details at this time, but there is talk going on. They do have to sit down and meet with us prior of them doing anything, so we will see if it does happen the right way.
Also there are other issues with medical going on. I talked to the Medical Capt. today on LMT issues. They really need a second transport team on 2nd watch. Right now LMT is getting hammered on the transports to and from Main-Lassen. It has gotten to the point were write ups from administration are coming down the pipe line. Another issue, we HAVE to hire behind any medical transports, even if there is no work-load. I am being told that this is coming down from the receivership. So hopefully the Medical Administration can work something out so we are not wasting manpower and money. I have talked to other institutions and somehow they are able to re-direct their medical staff when there is no workload.
I have spent the last two days working on duel appointments. Trying to solve the hiring order that is going on right now. I am contacting every duel appointment and doing a survey on how they want it done. It is pretty much unanimous. Go by seniority and hours. I think we are up to almost 40 duel appointments. Hopefully they step up when the o.t. gets really bad.
I should have the Conditional Bid grievance completed by Monday. I found another job that probably should have been posted as a continuous bid (R & R). Right now, we have B-low, OSC # 5 and R & R. I heard rumor there is one in Arnold Unit, but have yet to find it. When this all comes out in the wash, it will be a major mess for personal assignment to clean up. If you know of any other possible jobs that should be on the bid, drop me a note.
There are about 13 staff that want to transfer to CCC. Most are from HDSP. Somehow they are being held up. By who? We don't know. But we are filling on it. If we get those staff, that will help us alot. Then we might be able to send some folks back to camp.
I had a heart to heart talk today with one of the higher ups. I AGAIN expressed my concern on how some lower management are treating staff. I am so sick and tired of, when a cop makes an honest mistake, they come after us like wolves on a dead animal. But when they make mistakes it gets shoved underneath the rug and nothing happens to them. And yes, I gave those people up. This has got to stop. Our moral is down with the furloughs and the Department changing rules every other day, we don't need some with a heavy set of bars treating staff like crap.
Today at 1350 hours I find out that the Delta Unit alarm light has been out for three days. The poor tower cop who was frustrated as hell finally got ahold of me. I went off on the WC. But it turned out, she didn't even know about it. Yes there was a work order done, but it was put in the Captains box last night (who happens not to be here today) and I wasn't notified by one of my peeps. I apologize to the Sierra Staff for this. Obviously our chapter has to do a better job in communicating with each other. So again, I apologize to the Sierra Staff. If you have a safety concern, call me on my cell. I will get it handled.
If anybody is interested in stepping up and helping out the board. Let me know. I am starting to get a list of staff who are wanting to get involved (with all the b.s. going on). The more folks involved, the more power we will have in our pocket. Our Job Steward list has been growing like crazy. I think this is the most stewards the local union has had in years. Knowledge and communication is our only tool we have now until we get a contract.
Until next time. Stay Safe and Sane.
Lori
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