MINNESOTA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY – RUSH CITY

Labor Management Meeting

February 15th, 2007

Minutes

Present:

Warden Feneis, A/W Jim Zawacki, A/W Greg Smith, Captain Wilmes, Lt. Laurie Dorsey, John Westmoreland, Sandy O’Hara, Bill Stanley, Paul Gammel, Teri Hable, Blake Nelson, Erik Rasmussen, and Eric Langworthy

Old Business:

1. Update on Electronic posting and bidding ~ Teri Hable

The new electronic posting and bidding will be implemented on Friday, February 23, 2007. There will be a notice going out to staff explaining the process.

2. Honor Guard update ~ Lt. Dorsey

The Honor Guard has been discussed in Central Office. Central Office will supply gloves and arm bands for each facility. Paul Gammel will talk to local police as to what their protocol is and perhaps use their ideas to help RC develop its own protocol.

3. Sergeant Reassignment/WOOC ~ Lt. Dorsey and Teri Hable

Tabled.

New Business:

1. Meeting dates for 2007 ~ All

The Labor/Management meetings will continue to be held on the third Thursday of the month. The meeting dates for the remainder of 2007 will be March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15, and December 20.

2. Uniform policy/Maternity clothing ~ Union

Eric Langworthy stated that according to DOC Policy 103.2215 “Uniforms and Attire – Facilities” “Female officers who become pregnant will be loaned three shirts and two pants. Alteration of these items will be paid for by the facility/operation. These items must be returned to the facility/operation upon return from medical leave.” Administration will review and clarify procedures. Follow-up will be provided at the next meeting. Also, a process to assure that uniforms are cleaned will be developed.

3. Staff forced on training day ~ Union

Eric Langworthy stated that there was an incident recently where staff was forced to work overtime when there were officers in training. Normally, staff would be pulled from training instead of forcing someone. It was suggested that consideration is given to whether the training was mandatory or not. Pulling someone may prevent them from completing mandatory requirements. Captain Wilmes will discuss with watch commanders so there can be a consistent process. There also needs to be a reminder to staff to bring their uniform when in training so they can be available for a work assignment if needed.

4. Deployment of Staff in Living Units ~ All

Union expressed concern regarding staff deployment in CX2 where everybody working in the unit was “new”, except one officer, while other units all had senior staff. Captain Wilmes stated that we can move staff around in this situation and concerned staff should contact Watch Commander. Watch Commanders should adjust for these circumstances, but may overlook the issue because of last minute staffing changes. John Westmoreland asked if anyone called the Watch Commander to ask if that is how they wanted the unit covered or expressed any concerns about it. Emphasized that everyone is responsible for the security of the facility and that we are all in it together.

5. Clarify forcing staff ~ Brewer

Tabled

6. Master Control Issues ~ Warden Feneis

There has been discussion and will be policy changes forthcoming regarding access to the Master Control area. No final decisions yet. However, a committee is looking at how to enhance the security of this area, who has access to Master Control, who should be in there, what kind of weapons should be in there and where emergency keys are kept, etc. The Captains will be sorting this out and will come up with recommendations.

Captain Wilmes stated that at a minimum there will be more restrictions applied as to who would be allowed into the Master Control area. The only people allowed in Master Control should be those staff assigned to work, repair equipment, or supervise this area.

7. Front Desk/Contraband ~ Captain Wilmes

Captain Wilmes stated that we will be holding off implementing the new contraband/staff search procedure that was to be effective March 1. The Department is now reviewing how everyone is going to be dealing with searches and what we are allowing in or not allowing in. All of the Wardens are going to have input as to how this goes. Warden Feneis will be promoting the approach that Rush City came up with. The Warden stated that policies all go through a review and this policy is now coming to a head through the policy review process.

John Westmoreland stated that three facilities came up with the clear bag policy without forming a committee to look at options and that leaves no discretion for reason. He does appreciate the efforts at Rush City to develop a sensible approach.

8. Work restrictions ~ HR

Sandy O’Hara stated that when a correctional officer is coming back to work with restrictions, then they should be wearing a uniform while working light duty in most assignments. For example, she stated that it wasn’t appropriate to have someone at the front desk in a sweatshirt and jeans.

John Westmoreland stated that Rush City has had a very productive return to work committee and thinks each situation should be looked at individually. As staff are asked to return to work, have the return to work committee decide what the appropriate dress is for the work assignment. The Warden agreed with this approach. Correctional Officers working in non-security posts can be allowed to wear clothing consistent with other staff in the work area.

Next meeting: March 15, 2007, 2:00pm – Send all agenda items to Lt. Laurie Dorsey

cc: Dennis Benson, Deputy Commissioner

Erik Skon, Assistant Commissioner