"Going to 8's" Shift Change by DOC

President's Letter to the Membership
& DOA Commissioner's Letter

Updated on 2/1/12

Click a letter below to view it (copies are also below)

Copy of Randy McLellan's Letter to the Membership

January 27, 2012

Fellow Officers,

First, I should let you all know I am still employed. I know there was a rumor that I was fired, and then another that I was given time off for missing a security check. After Management spent four days reviewing a week’s worth of tapes, they think that they caught me missing distro on one night and gave me a week off. When I told them I thought their actions were pathetic, I received one more day off. Rumors aside, I am still here and still fighting.

As you all know by now, the DCC management is once again attacking us by attempting to alter the work schedules we have known for thirty years. They do this knowing how devastating it will be to our lives and our families. It will also be quite a blow to the efficient running of Alaska institutions. There will be burn out due to lack of time away from the institution, increased sick leave usage due to a schedule that disrupts our lives as we now know it, resignations that will create a staffing shortage, families separated because some of us work at distant facilities, costs will increase, safety will decrease, and so on and so on.

DCC management knows full well the hurt they will inflict on those chosen to go to the 8 hour shifts. It is the intent of the DCC management to drive a wedge between us by creating two classes of Correctional Officers (another divide and conquer attempt). Although not all of us will be hurt the same or immediately, I assure you we will all feel the pain. When one of us bleeds, we all bleed! This is also just the first phase; it could be all of us soon. We will stand together and we will fight this together. Obviously the DCC management has underestimated the loyalty we have toward each other and our resolve.

So far, we have won many battles. If we watch each other’s backs, we will win this one too.

Stay strong and stay safe,

Randy McLellan

President Randy McLellan

Copy of Commissioner Hultberg's Response to ACOA
Received on 1/31/12

January 23, 2012

Mr. Brad Wilson
Business Manager
Alaska Correctional Officers Association
203 E. 5 Avenue
Anchorage, Alaska 99501-2519

Re: Demand to Negotiate CO Shift “modifications”

Dear Mr. Wilson:

I am writing in response to your letter dated January 4, 2012 in which you express that the State is
required to negotiate prior to making changes in working conditions.

While you acknowledge in your letter that you were not aware of all the details at the time you wrote
to me, you have since been brought up to date of the proposed changes. As you now know, some
Correctional Officers (CO) will be moved to a 42-hour schedule from their 84-hour schedule. The
collective bargaining agreement permits moving an officer from an 84-hour schedule to a 42-hour
schedule, although with some notice requirements.

Therefore, based upon the current contract language, I do not believe the State is currently required
to negotiate with the Department of Corrections on the proposed schedule changes.

Sincerely,

Signature
Becky Hultberg