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RIBCO
News
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2007-10-15
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RIBCO Update |
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RI Brotherhood of Correctional Officers
On the Tier
“Update”
October 2007
Contract/Interest Arbitration Update
After 20 days of hearings stretching over a 6 month period the interest arbitration proceedings with the State finally concluded on September 28th. The arbitration panel, faced with the task of reviewing more than 120 exhibits and stenographic transcripts going back to March, directed the parties to submit written briefs summarizing their positions on each issue in dispute. Briefs are due in 60 days with an additional 30 days for reply briefs if necessary.
As you know, this arbitration applies only to the 2003-2006 contract period. The negotiating team has argued from the beginning of this process that the only sensible way of resolving our differences with the State was to sign a contract covering 2003-2006 and a second contract covering 2006-2009. Despite the fact that both sides have spent outrageous amounts of time and money on this process the State has refused to settle and insists on an arbitration award for the 2003-2006 contract only. Apparently, the State would rather spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on outside attorneys than to fairly compensate RIBCO members.
There is no way to predict the outcome of our arbitration or what other roadblocks the State intends to erect in the way of our contracts. All we can do is assure you that we have made the best possible presentation to the arbitration panel on your behalf and will continue to fight every State effort to keep us from the contract we deserve.
RIBCO Elections
Every 2 years, RIBCO holds an election for its general officers and Executive Board members. On October 11th at the monthly membership meeting, a Nominating Committee consisting of no less than 5, nor more than 9 members shall be nominated and elected. Only members in good standing at outlined in the Bylaws shall be eligible for nomination. The Nominating Committee shall be expected to exert a reasonable effort to bring before the membership (November meeting) a duly qualified slate of candidates for election. No member of the Nominating Committee can be brought forth as a candidate. However a member of the Nominating Committee and any member in good standing and who has attended 4 of the Brotherhood’s regular business meetings in the prior 12 months may be advanced as a candidate at the regular meeting in November upon completion of the Nominating Committee’s report.
After the November meeting, an Election Committee of no more than 2 members for each Presidential candidate plus an impartial third party chosen by the Executive Board for chairman shall govern the election. The Election Committee shall set the hour of the election, prepare all necessary arrangements, booths, ballots and notices. The date of the election shall not be less than 15 days from the final day of nominations. Election notices must be mailed to each member at his/her last known address, 15 days prior to the election. All ballots used in the secret-ballot election shall be numbered. The candidate receiving a plurality of 1 vote or more over his /her closest opposition shall be declared the winner. It is important that you take the opportunity to make your voice heard and exercise your union responsibility to vote!
The Brotherhood would like to reiterate to its members their obligation to abide by the law, regulations and policies which prohibit discrimination, intimidation or harassment in any form.
UNITED WE STAND!
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