To:  All OCSO Supervisor, Deputy and CSO Bargaining Unit Members

From:  Mike Smith; Vice President of the Central Florida PBA

Date:  October 1, 2010

Subject: PBA Negotiations Update

On behalf of the PBA Contract Negotiations Committee (hereafter referred to as PBA), we thank the many PBA members and non-members who are now so passionate and involved in helping us.  Please continue to stand united and support your PBA leaders and your fellow bargaining unit members. 

After numerous attempts to reach a contractual agreement to present to you for ratification and based in large part on your overwhelming input, the PBA declined Sheriff Demings’ recent “Take it or Leave it” package deals (aka Trojan Horse 1) and other similar package deals they are proposing.  Additionally, it is PBA’s unanimous decision to continue our appeal to the District Court of Appeals regarding our merit step increases. 

NOTE! -  PBA is not solely turning down the $1100 bonus or any other improvement … we are turning down the “entire package deal attached to that money.”  The PBA recently made several concessions to the OCSO in order to secure certain economic contract articles that affect you like Wages and Healthcare.  However, Sheriff Demings would not agree … even after the PBA conceded on the contract articles mentioned above. 

The PBA recognizes that $1100 is helpful in these tough times.  Furthermore, the PBA recognizes we have collectively made some improvements to the current contract in conjunction with the Sheriff Office.  Once again, the problem is the “package deal” which includes language in core articles that would essentially strip our abilities as a union and/or take away existing benefits ... thereby hurting our bargaining unit members best interests.  

If Sheriff Demings simply did what he said he would do and kept things “status quo” that we can’t agree on, we might have a contract by now.  The PBA does not want to bring an undesirable contract to its members.  YOU have entrusted the PBA to bring you a contract that enhances and/or protects your pay, benefits and work conditions.  The OCSO should be trying to do the same if they really care about you and your family.

Once again, the PBA told OCSO on numerous occasions that we would accept the money but not the detrimental contract proposals attached to it.  The Sheriff could simply give Deputies and CSO’s the money (via a Memo of Understanding) and continue bargaining on the rest of the issues.  Sheriff Demings is a constitutional officer and he can give you a benefit (bonus) as long as it is agreed on with the PBA.

Example:  When the POPS Unit was formed during our present contract, the OCSO approached the PBA and asked that POPS receive the Article-28 TAC Specialty Pay of $53.08 per pay period, obviously we said YES and it was done via MOU. 

Sadly, this means Sheriff Demings is going to give the county back a significant amount of money instead of giving it to his dedicated and worthy Deputies and CSO’s.  Sheriff Demings could encumber these monies regardless of any agreement with the PBA to ensure that you get this well deserved bonus.  Unfortunately, he would rather blame the PBA and not give you these monies.

Please look at the “Sheriff’s Package Deal” again and see what they are NOT telling you, specifically in Article-13/Section-4 that he is trying to take away from you.  This is referred to as a “me too clause.”  This basically gives us (Deputies/CSO’s) the right to bargain over benefits that are given to other non-bargaining unit members (Management or Civilians) and go to impasse, if necessary.  In times past, this article has helped our members so we do not want to give it away or we may never get it back.  The PBA and OCSO tentatively agreed to Article-13 on October 6, 2009 with Section-4 intact.  As a last minute deal, OCSO proposed the Sheriff should have the final decision. That would leave us with no other recourse, whereas the present contract language gives us the right to go beyond the Sheriff.   Why would Sheriff Demings want to remove this language at the last minute?  Is someone getting something that he does not want to give to you or want you to know about?

If we can’t come to an agreement, we have impasse proceedings and/or continued contract negotiations on November 3, 2010. Either way, the PBA is committed to helping you and your family by working through these difficult contract negotiations.  Since Sheriff Demings is intent on giving the bonus money back to the County, the PBA will continue working diligently to secure these and/or other monies for you.  Please do not allow Sheriff Demings or anyone else to try to turn us against each other.  This is obviously a long and difficult fight with a Sheriff who has no problem delaying and/or denying benefits for you and your family in order to get what he wants for himself. 

Please continue to stay accurately informed and communicate with your PBA leaders.  Look for further updates at www.cfpba.org or www.facebook.com/cfpba.

Thanks again and be safe!