Keeping you informed part II
Read part 1
***VOTE February 1st at the Union Hall between the hours of 2-4 and 5-7PM***
I was going to start out that it’s quiet here at the hall and anytime now the phones will start ringing and things will start jumping, well, they did… I started this email around 7:45am Friday morning and by the time I finished typing it was 11:30. I’ll also be posting this on the BPDBS website so if you know anyone who is not on the mailing list they can keep up to date with what’s going on at www.bpdbs.com.
A couple of personal announcements Bob Brown (D-14), Terry Avery (Lic Unit), and John Devaney (Lic Unit) after being treated at local hospitals are home now and hopefully on the road to recovery. If you know of any Union members that are out on prolonged injury or illness please let us know. At Thursdays monthly meeting Lt. Det (retired) Arthur Stratford was recognized for his years of service to the BPDBS as a Director and Bargaining Committee member. We will miss Arthurs experience and wish him a long and happy retirement.
A lot has happened since my last email/posting. First and most importantly I want to remind you all again. If you are contacted by Internal Affairs and asked to come in for an interview or to submit a report CALL US. You are entitled to representation use it. If you are asked for a report take the time to allow your FOP attorney to review or discuss your report with you before you submit it. We have had great success with our Legal Defense Plan normally the turnaround time from a call to the Union Hall to call back from our attorneys has been less than an hour. So please remember your dues pay for legal representation, use it.
Injured on Duty continues to be a bone of contention. While we continue to cite a 2010 decision the Office of Labor Relations cites a 1999 case and denies our step II appeals. So be it. While we must follow procedures we don’t have to sit and listen to the same old same old. That being said, you can count on most of our IOD cases going to Step III hearings. Another reminder here, If you are injured or disabled(shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness) while on duty, go to the hospital, submit a 26 or have your supervisor write it if you can’t, make sure a 1.1 is filed and ask your supervisor to file his report. You can also ask for a union representative to respond to the hospital. Don’t blow your injury or illness off; don’t wait to see how you’ll feel later.
Another note in regards to grievances, timing is everything and information is invaluable. If you believe you have a grievance contact your Rep. The first step in the process is at the unit level. If an issue can’t be worked out there then we go forward with Step II. Prior to step II you will be asked to put the facts of your grievance in writing, the reason for this, the more information we have the better we can present your case. Contact your Rep ASAP if you feel you have a grievance.
We are expecting protocols or call out procedures in regards to major incidents that take place after 11:45pm. However the human element will still be a factor so it’s important that Detective Supervisors work with the patrol side of the house so they understand the importance of calling out Detectives to process a crime scene. We hope to have these procedures within the next few weeks.
Our next “Open House” “Town Meeting” will be held on February 9th at 3:30pm at HQ in the Media Room. This meeting is open to any member of the BPDBS. These meetings have been a great success, Gerry and I hope to see as many people as possible attend.
Lastly there will be a vote to change some of our By-Laws on February 1st at the Union Hall between the hours of 2-4 and 5-7PM. The changes proposed will be discussed and put to a vote. Briefly these changes propose new qualifications for candidates running for future vacancies in your union leadership and how the union conducts its business. The ability to vote in union elections is a right granted to you by your contract. I urge you exercise this right. Vote and let your voice be heard.
Thank you for your time as always Gerry and I are here to answer your questions or address your concerns.
See you all on the 1st
Respectfully
Tom Famolare VP-BPDBS
