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Local #171 ALERTA.F.G.E Local 171 of Council of Prison Locals #33FTC Oklahoma City & FCI El Reno, OklahomaEditors: B. Coker & J. LepirdThe Bad Bossby T. TownleyOver the years I’ve personallywitnessed many proud and goodemployees who loved their jobsbecome disgruntled and unhappywith their jobs, all because of a badManager. These employees eitherleft the agency or became anemployee who didn’t care about theirjob anymore, doing only what wasrequired of them. They were notinspired about trying to exceedanymore on the job. It’s extremelyunfortunate that many managersspend their time focusing on thenegatives and the little mistakestheir staff make, instead of praisingthem for all the positive work they’veaccomplished.The Bad Boss doesn't know how tolead and interact effectively withpeople. They will not let go ofproblems or mistakes. The Bad Bossreturns to discuss negative eventscontinually and searches for faults inemployees, instead of focusing onthe employees strengths andproviding recognition for positiveemployee performance.constructive feedback andsuggestions for improvement. TheBad Boss can't deal withdisagreement from employees whohave their own opinions aboutwork-related issues. Bad Bosseslack integrity, break promises andare dishonest. Bad Bosses alsocause dissension among staffmembers by his or her actions andcomments.Inside this issue:Research has proven thatmanagers who focus on recognitionand positive reinforcement haveemployees who are more engagedand more committed to workinghard!What the Union Does 4 & 5If you have a Bad Boss and you'vedecided it's time to do somethingabout it, please let the Union assistyou in dealing with your Bad Boss.You’re probably not the only personsuffering. Who knows, there mightalready be complaints filed againstyour Bad Boss.On June 23rd the winner of the UnionCWW Pistol drawing was drawn atFCI El Reno. P. Morrison is the luckyWinner of a New Glock. Make sureto congratulate her on her win.The Union would also like to thankthe Stewards at El Reno that soldwrist bands to make the drawing asuccess. R. Barger, K. Menz and G.Union Benefits2New Uniforms2Chief Steward ERE2Questions3OWCP, Rate of Pay3Back after 15 Years3E-Board/Stewards6Your Rights6---------------------------------------Next Union Meeting:TuesdaySeptember 11th 20185PM at theFTC Training CenterBad Bosses will not acceptCongratulations!NewsletterAu g u s t 2 0 1 8Volume 1, Issue 3Meetings are held every otherby B. CokerBrueggen all stepped up to sellwristbandsand helpedto make thiscurrentlyholdingour negotiationstoasuccess.save resources and will start ourLSA Localnegotiationthe FTCThewants afterto thankall thecompletespeoplethatnegotiations.participated andpurchasedwrist bands.Your* Local Policies-- All LocalsupportinthedrawingandasPolicies, both at El Reno andmembersoftheUnionisgreatlyOklahoma City, go to the Union forappreciated.review before they are put intoeffect. The Union reviews thesepolicies to examine the changes tomonth.
2Union Benefitsby K. MenzWhen you’re a member of AFGE,your benefits go beyond theworkplace, with programs anddiscounts that help you and yourfamily save money on everythingfrom health and education tohomeownership and travel.Tires, or Allied Tires Servicestores.home, 500 gift card and hardshipassistance with each loan.* Free Accident Insurance Enroll for 20,000 no cost to you,accidental death insurance.* Dell Computer Discounts - TheAFGE Union Plus ComputerDiscount with Dell offers AFGEmembers and their familiesdiscounts of up to 30% on selectproducts.The Most Popular benefits are:* Term Life Insurance - Term Lifeinsurance with benefit amounts of 20,000 to 250,000 available.* Firestone Tire and Auto CareDiscount - Save 15% on allmaintenance, repairs and tirepurchases.* Dental, universal life, cancer anddisability insurance also available.* AFGE Credit Card - Featuresinclude cash back, a competitiverate, no annual fee and a MemberAdvocacy Program.* Goodyear Tire and ServiceDiscount - Save 10% on allGoodyear tires or 5% off sale tiresat company owned Goodyear, JustNew Uniforms* Mortgage - Buy or refinance aby B. CokerThere have been a lot of rumorsgoing around about the newuniforms. Some staff are under theimpression that they can buy theUniform shirt and wearunauthorized pants. That is not thecase. All Staff are expected towear the approved Uniform, boththe shirt and pants availablethrough an approved vendor.Currently the approved vendorsare: AD Meyers, Unitec and Galls.All of these vendors can provideyou the approved Uniform shirt andpants. As with the last uniformchange there will be a few issuesalong the way. The vendors willcontinue to work with staff and theAgency as issues with the uniformcome up.* AT&T Wireless - Members canqualify for 200 in rebates and geta 15% discount.For more information on these andadditional AFGE Member Benefitsgo to:www.afge.org/member-benefits/Or call 1-888-844-2343.* Goodyear Tire and ServiceDiscount - Save 10% on allGoodyear tires or 5% off sale tiresAllstaff will berequiredto be in Justtheat ires, or Allied Tires Service stores.in the correct approved uniform willbe required and discipline could* FreefromAccidentInsurance- Enrollresultwearingunapprovedfor 20,000no costtonationalyou,items,as statedin thepolicyputoutbytheAgency.accidental death insurance.* Term Life Insurance - Term Lifeinsurance with benefit amounts of 20,000 to 250,000 available.Chief Stewards Corner - El Reno success.by J. LepirdR. Barger, K. Menz andA Look at the Correctional ServicesOvertime/Mandatory OvertimeMOUsDid you know that if you areskipped over for an overtime shiftyou may be entitled tocompensation?Did you know that you cannot beforced to work a mandatoryovertime if it is your Friday, andthere are other eligible correctionalofficers available?Did you know that you cannot beassigned mandatory overtime if itwill require you to work more than16 hours?Did you know that working amandatory overtime should notmove you from your position on theregular overtime list?Did you know that the assigningofficial must make every effort tofind a volunteer to work amandatory overtime beforeassigning it?Did you know that when overtime ishired, the person working theovertime will normally work thepost the overtime was authorizedfor?Did you know overtime should onlybe filled up to 1 day in advance, not* Dental,universallife, cancerandG.Brueggenall steppedup to sellmore?wristbandsandhelpedtomakedisability isurance also available.All thisinformation is available inthisa success.the Correctional Services OvertimeTheLocalwantsCardto thankall the*andAFGECredit- FeaturesMandatory Overtime MOUs.Membersthatparticipatedandincludecash back,a competiveThese MOUs,withYourthe rest ofpurchasedwristalongbands.our agreementscanandbeandfoundrate,noinannualfeea Membersupportthe drawingas onwww.afgelocal171.com.Thesemembersthe Union is greatlyAdvocacy ofProgram.agreements were negotiated andappreciated.are monitored by your Union. If youMortgage- Buyor refinanceaIf*youwould liketo or similareventsin thethehome, 500giftand hardshipissue, nion’s representativewhoassistancewith each loan.handles overtime issues. We aremake sureDiscountsthe Agency*hereDelltoComputer- Thefollows all agreements, even if theyAFGEUnion Plus Computerchoose not to read them.Discount with Dell offers AFGEmembers and their familiesdiscounts of up to 30% on select
3Question of the DayDo my dues go to supportcandidates running foroffice?We had quite a bit of falseinformation put out that your Uniondues go to political candidates. Toanswer the question: NO.It is illegal for any dues monies tobe spent on anything that doesn'tbenefit the membership andoperation of the Union. Money forpolitical endorsements comesdirectly from (PAC) Political ActionCommittees, which are run onby J. Lepirdvoluntary and independentdonations from folks who join PAC,not Union dues.Candidates, regardless of theirparty affiliation.There are many PAC’s in DC thatlobby Congress on multiple issues.It does seem odd from the outsidethat PAC’s give money to influenceCongressional Members to vote ina specific manner. Unfortunately, itis legal and a part of the system wehave in place. If AFGE PAC doesnot participate, there will beconsequences.Rest assured that no Union duesever go directly to any politicalRate of Pay while on Workers Comp.A common question regardingWorkers Comp (OWCP) is howyour compensation is calculatedand what rate you are paid. If youare single you are paid 2/3 or 66%of your normal pay. If you aremarried or have dependents youare paid 3/4 or 75% of your normalpay. On Workers Comp, no Stateor Federal Income tax is taken outof your payment. The only thingdeducted is your major medical.When someone first goes on theWorkers Comp rolls they fill out aCA-7. The CA-7 is a Claim forCompensation and it will be filledout for a pay period during whichyou were not at work and onWorkers Comp. During this timeperiod, the individual will be onLeave without Pay (LWOP) fromthe Agency. If this is the first CA-7being submitted then a SF1199A,Direct Deposit Sign-up form willby B. Cokerneed to be submitted as well,so payment can be doneelectronically.When you reach yourMaximum MedicalImprovement (MMI) and youhave an ongoing disability orimpairment rating you may beentitled to a scheduled award.The scheduled award is alsobased on these rates of pay atyour time of injury.After 15 Years the Newsletter is Back!!After an absence of over 15 yearsthe Local 171 Newsletter is back.Only staff that have been on dutysince 2003 will recall the newsletterthe Local put out in the past.The New Local 171 Alert isdedicated to all the Bargaining UnitStaff the Union represents at FCIEl Reno and FTC Oklahoma City.Local 171 appreciates your supportand membership in our LocalUnion.The Newsletter is here to keep youup to date on what the Local isdoing for our members. Weunderstand that all memberscannot attend Union meetings dueto schedules and othercommitments. This Newsletter willkeep you up to date on currentevents and the concerns that theUnion is addressing on behalf of allthe Bargaining Unit Staff.If you have suggestions for anarticle or questions that you wouldlike addressed in the Alert pleasesent an email to:Afge171Alert@yahoo.com.by B. CokerIf you would like to receive adigital copy of the Newsletter,email us atAfge171Alert@yahoo.com fromyour home email address andinclude your Name and Facility.Every new Alert will be emailed toyou upon release.rdThis is the 3 issue of the NewLocal 171 Alert Newsletter. Ourgoal to is keep all of ourmembers up to date on theissues that we are fighting for thataffect the Bargaining Unit.
4What the Union DoesRecently we heard from a BargainingUnit Staff Member that there was noreason to call the Union because"the Union doesn't do anything".When this happens, we attempt toexplain what the Union does and themany wins that the Union hasworked to achieve for the BargainingUnit. Sometimes minds are made up,and folks don’t want to hearexplanations or believe sharedinformation, and this is a shame. Foreveryone else, we felt that anexplanation of what Union does forthe Bargaining Unit Staff at both FCIEl Reno and FTC Oklahoma City isin order. Much of the work below isnot publicized by the Union becausethere is a ton of activities thathappen each and every day.However, this is general informationregarding all the areas we alwayscover, on a continuing basis, torepresent those in the BargainingUnit, whether they are Unionmembers or are not. Keep in mindthere is no way for the Union toaddress issues that are not broughtto the Union’s attention. On the BackPage of this newsletter there is a listof the E-board and Stewards. All ofthese Union Representativesvolunteer their time to Represent theBargaining Unit and make sure thateveryone is treated Fairly andEquitably by Management, and tohold Management accountable whenthis is not happening. Pleaseunderstand that the people in thesepositions are all volunteers, andduties never seem to end with theworkday. They sacrifice personaltime for the good of everyone, andare extremely passionate aboutrepresenting the Bargaining Body.* Committees -- The Unionappoints representatives to attendmeetings on behalf of the BargainingUnit. The Union hasRepresentatives on all the followingcommittees: Health and Safety,Incentive Awards, Affirmative Action,Staff Housing, Commissary,Training, Community RelationsBoard and the Correctional WorkersWeek Committee. The Union attendsthese meetings to represent you, theBargaining Unit members, to ensurethat you have a voice in thedecisions that these CommitteesBargaining Unit members, to ensurethat you have a voice in thedecisions that these Committeesmake that affect you every day.These meetings happen regularlyand take time to prepare for andattend.* Discipline -- This is the mostvisible and well known activity of theUnion. When you are called to SISto give an Affidavit, you have theright to request a UnionRepresentative if you wish to berepresented. The Union alwaysrecommends that all Bargaining UnitStaff Members request a UnionRepresentative when going to SIS togive an Affidavit, whether you’re aUnion Member or not. The Union ishere to protect your rights andensure that the Agency follows all ofour Agreements and the Law. TheUnion is here not just for SIS, butalso in the event you are proposeddiscipline or your supervisor wantsto meet with you to counsel you orissue you a proposal letter. Ask for aUnion Representative to be at themeeting because you have a right toUnion counsel and representation.The Union will assist you in thesemeetings and in disciplinary matterswith your written and oral responseto the Warden to ensure that thedisciple is correct, your rights havenot been violated, and you are beingtreated the same as everyone else,regardless of your popularity withManagement. If Management doesnot follow the process, why shouldyou be punished unfairly when yourdue process rights are violated?* Contract/MOU/SettlementAgreement Violations -- TheUnion monitors the actions of theAgency and is on the lookout forviolations of our Agreements. Whenwe find a violation the first step inthe process is to attempt informalresolution and give the Agency theopportunity to fix the issue. In theevent that the Agency doesn'tcorrect the violation, then the Unionmoves forward and files a Grievanceor an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP)complaint. When necessary, theUnion proceeds to Arbitration andhas a third party conduct a hearingregarding the violation to determineif the Agency is at fault and rules onhas a third party conduct a hearingregarding the violation to determineif the Agency is at fault and rules onremedies. The Union takesviolations forward both forindividual staff that have beenwronged and violations that affectthe entire Bargaining Unit, whichwe file on behalf of everyone. TheUnion has both of these types ofcases outstanding and is currentlyin the process of proceeding toArbitration on multiple issues.* Call Around in El Reno -- AtFCI El Reno, the Union does theCall Around Roster every quarterfor the Correctional ServicesDepartment. The Union ensuresthat all staff members are offeredposts based on their seniority andthe process is done in a fair andequitable manner. This is a hugebenefit that is fairly unique to ElReno, and many locals havesought to adopt our proceduresbecause they are very beneficial forour Correctional Officers.* Negotiations -- The Union atthe Local, Regional, and CouncilLevel all negotiate policies thataffect all Staff. At FTC OklahomaCity the Union is currentlynegotiating their LocalSupplemental Agreement (LSA).The Union has multiple staff on thisnegotiation that are available everyday to meet with Management towork on the proposals.Unfortunately, the Agency is notcommitted to working on the LSAand very rarely meets with theUnion to negotiate. FCI El Reno iscurrently holding our negotiations tosave resources and will start ourLSA negotiation after the FTCcompletes negotiations.* Local Policies -- All LocalPolicies, both at El Reno andOklahoma City, go to the Union forreview before they are put intoeffect. The Union reviews thesepolicies to examine the changes toworking conditions that affect theBargaining Unit and ensure theyare fair and in line with currentAgreements and policies. WhenContinued on page 5 .
5What the Union DoesContinued from page 4 changes are not beneficial to staff,place undue burdens on staff, orjust don’t make sense for line-staff,the Union invokes negotiations. TheUnion works with Management toaddress any issues that wouldmake it more difficult to accomplishour mission as an Agency and atour institutions. Generally, theUnion can negotiate changesthrough informal meetings with theAgency Representative. When wecan't gain a resolution in thatmanner, the Union moves toFormal Negotiations and negotiatesformally with written proposals inthe traditional manner.* Arbitrations -- The Unionprepares for and Represents theBargaining Union and IndividualStaff at Arbitrations with theAgency. Arbitrations are similar tocourt proceedings. The Agency hasa Representative to present theircase, with the HRM acting as anassistant. The Union has anAdvocate and Representative topresent our case. The Arbitratorlistens to the case and then ruleson the matter. In some cases theArbitrator can rule for the Agency tocorrect an Evaluation, give a staffmember priority placement for aposition, grant back pay and evenbring someone back to work. TheUnion has won multiple Arbitrationsrecently and will continue to workon these cases to hold the Agencyaccountable when they do notfollow the contract or trample aBargaining Unit members rights.* Workers Compensation -- TheUnion assists Union members withtheir Workers Compensation cases.The Union will help you through theentire process from reporting yourinjury to filling out the CA-1 or CA2. We recommend a doctor for youto use. However, it is up to the staffmember to choose your doctor. TheAgency should not be eitherrecommending or notrecommending a particular doctorfor you to see. The Union assistsyou with all the forms andpaperwork associated withcompleting your claim. Getting all ofthe paperwork done in the correcttime frame is very important to yourcase getting approved and beingthe paperwork done in the correcttime frame is very important to yourcase getting approved and beinggranted surgery and care.Representation and assistance inWorkers Comp cases is somethingthe Union does just for membersas a benefit of being a Unionmember. It is not something that isrequired for the Union to do for allBargaining Unit staff under the law.The Union is here to help all ourmembers with their Workers Compcases. Let us know if you are hurtat work and need help with theprocess.* EEO/Discrimination -- TheUnion is also here to assistmembers in the EEO process. Ifyou believe you have beendiscriminated against then contactthe Union. We can help you withthe process and be yourRepresentative. EEO iscomplicated and has multipletimelines and requirements toensure a valid, complete case.Don't wait; call the Union as soonas possible so we can help youwith your issue.* Meetings -- The Unionrepresents Staff at meetings withManagement. If you believe that ameeting could result in disciplinaryaction being taken against you,then you have a right to berepresented. Just stop the meetingand let Management know that youbelieve disciplinary action couldresult and you are Requesting aUnion Representative. Ask to beexcused from the meeting until youcan be represented. Remember,the Union will assign aRepresentative, not Management,to ensure you have the rightrepresentation and expertisepresent for your particular issue.* Legislative -- The Union workson legislative issues for everyone.Many attacks have been leveled atr
* Dental, universal life, cancer and disability isurance also available. * AFGE Credit Card -The Local wants to thank all the Features include cash back, a competive-rate, no annual fee and a Member Advocacy Program. * Mortgage - Buy or refinance a home, 500 gift card and hard
