|
RIBCO
News
|
2006-12-07
|
Correctional Officers Prevail In Contract Dispute With The State |
| |
PROVIDENCE, RI (DECEMBER 7, 2006) Today’s Superior Court ruling, upholding the Brotherhood of Correctional Officers’ position that binding arbitration is the proper method of resolving the current contract impasse with the State, was greeted enthusiastically by the union’s leadership.
“We have been in negotiations since May 2003,” said Brotherhood President Richard Ferruccio. “We have made every effort to reach a fair settlement without success.” “The legislature was fully aware that we went four years without a contract during the last negotiations and that’s why it passed a binding arbitration statute for Correctional Officers in 2004, similar to other public safety unions” Ferruccio says.
The State had refused to comply with the terms of the new law, arguing instead that the old, non-binding statute should apply to these negotiations. The Brotherhood sought an interpretation from the Court, which ultimately agreed with its position.
“Our members have lagged far behind other State employees and other comparable classifications, despite the fact we work in one of the most challenging and dangerous environments in either the public or private service,” Ferruccio said. “We look forward to presenting our case to a neutral arbitrator and comparing our working conditions, salaries and benefits to those who work outside the prison.”
“Our members have lagged far behind other State employees and other comparable classifications, despite the fact we work in one of the most challenging and dangerous environments in either the public or private service,” Ferruccio said. “We look forward to presenting our case to a neutral arbitrator and comparing our working conditions, salaries and benefits to those who work outside the prison.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
