House Bill #6112, BINDING ARBITRATION for MI CO's

[taser1975]

The following is an update to House Bill #6112 to give CO's in MI Binding Arbitration during contract negotiations. This was sent to me by one of our Sgt's who is an active member of DSAM (Deputy Sheriff's Association of Michigan) If you are from MI or not please take the time to read and help us get this bill passed to better all of our careers. We as Correction Officers, our families, and past officers deserve the same benefits as anyone covered under act 312. These days all Government entities are trying to cut wages, benefits, and retirement benefits. We need Binding Arbitration to help defend ourselves and our benefits. We should no longer be seen as the Red headed step children of Law Enforcement.

Fellow Corrections Staff,

You have all received the 'MAC' e-mail in opposition of binding arbitration for corrections officers. NOW is the time for you to act. Take the time to look at house bill #6112. In your spare time, go to MICHIGAN.GOV. Click on "MI Legislation". There will be a box titled BILL NUMBER. Enter 6112 and hit 'SEARCH'. Take the time to read it if you wish. YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT.

After you read it, go to web site 'house.MI.gov'. Click on the tab that says "Representatives", you will find all the e-mail addresses of the Michigan State Representatives. PLEASE!!! take the time to write to our Representatives, especially Phil Pavlov, John Espinoza and Daniel Acciavatti to tell them how important passing this bill is.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the committee hearing in Lansing, along with several other Corrections Officers from across the state, including Marquette County.
Several Corrections Officers took time off to testify in front of the committee and state why we should have binding arbitration like other public safety employees throughout the state. Corrections officers just like you and I, spoke in front of this committee and explained everything about our daily tasks, from dealing with disorderly and mental inmates to being exposed to Hep-C, HIV, "Mersa" and other diseases. I admit I was not surprised to find that every other Corrections Staff throughout this state is treated as second class citizens to the road patrols. Most of the Representatives in attendance did not have a clue about what our daily tasks were.

The Bill #6112 is out of Committee. The Committee passed the Bill by a vote of 6 to 2, to have it go to the House Floor. I believe sometime in September, many of the Corrections Deputies that testified last month, will venture back to Lansing to plea our case in front of the entire House of Representatives. We NEED to write our State Representatives now. We MUST ask for their support of this bill. YOUR FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT!!!!!

I would like all of you to contact Rep. Fred Miller from Macomb County, to thank him for introducing this bill. Send him an E-mail letting him know how much we appreciate his help. DSAM has been working on this piece of legislation for several years and it is finally here. We have to work together to get what we deserve.