Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., and Wicomico Sheriff Michael A. Lewis announced that Full-Time Certified Sheriff’s Deputies below the rank of Lieutenant will cast ballots this Friday to determine if the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #111, will be their exclusive collective bargaining agent. Balloting is set for 6:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. and from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Sheriff’s headquarters. Executive Pollitt and Sheriff Lewis will be present for the vote tally which will begin as soon as the polls close. Results will be announced immediately.
“This is a great day for the deputies and the citizens of Wicomico County.” said Pollitt. “In the election of 2006, voters overwhelmingly adopted a Charter Amendment allowing the deputies to seek a collective bargaining agreement with the county that included binding arbitration. I backed that referendum then and I back the election that is about to take place.” Sheriff Lewis added, “I strongly believe that the citizens of Wicomico County want our brave deputies to have every tool available to them to seek just compensation for the often dangerous work they perform for the common good and safety of every man, woman and child in our county.”
Inspired by the 2006 referendum, Executive Pollitt submitted Bill Number 2007-3 known as the “Collective Bargaining Bill.” The legislation would have established a labor code for Wicomico County but the County Council returned an amended version that would bind the Executive but not the Council, to arbitration. Mr. Pollitt stated that he could not, in the best interests of the deputies, agree with that and vetoed the bill on January 9, 2008. Subsequently, the Council overrode Pollitt’s veto and adopted Bill 2007-3 as amended. The Fraternal Order of Police then filed suit against the county. On February 1, 2010, the courts declared the Charter Amendment unconstitutional and the legislation void.
On September 7, 2010, following the adoption of State legislation, the “Collective Bargaining” bill was again introduced and a public hearing concerning it was held on October 5th. The County Council unanimously adopted the measure and the Executive approved it on October 11th. It became law on December 10th. On December 17th, the Fraternal Order of Police filed a “Petition for Certification of a Union as a Bargaining Agent for Wicomico County Deputy Sheriffs holding the ranks below that of Lieutenant.” The petition was accepted and the date for election was set as February 11th.
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Personally, with the large number of people out of work, Collective Bargaining and other similar topics really do not seem practical until the economy improves. It's simply doesn't seem fair that a Government workforce anywhere should ask a populace, many of which are collecting unemployment benefits as well as paying taxes on those benefits, should be asked to "help the fortunate".
ReplyDeleteBe humble and recognize the unfortunate as the reason.
No disrespect to any of my friends in law enforcement, but unions are killing the economy in America. I agree with the above post also. The government workforce is paid at a much higher rate than private industry, especially when you add in the pensions and other benefits.
ReplyDeleteWe need to stop thinking that big governemnt is the answer to all our ills and get back to pay as you go. We keep having to raise taxes to pay for the debt of previous generations. We think the economy is bad now? When was the last time you stood in line for cheese, bread, gas, flour, or anything else? If we let our labor rates keep going up and up, soon we'll be paying taxes on every breath we take, if you are a smoker, you already are.
Do you still believe you live in a "free" society? Are you free to worship where ever you want? NO
Are you free to do what you want with your land/property? NO
Are you free to decide what you want to eat? Not for long!
Actually Al....the question was asked of the people a long time ago. It was asked on a ballot. In accordance with the law as it is written in the County Charter. More than 70% of the voters in Wicomico County voted to approve it. In their infinite wisdom, the presiding county council elected to ignore the will of the people. Some of them even said "I'm not sure the voters knew what they were voting for" implying that we "common folks" are too ignorant to know whats good for us. The unbelievable arrogance displayed by the county council on this matter was astounding. The deputies were forced to take the county to court on the matter in order to assure that the will of the people was carried out. At that point a judge decided that the referendum was nothing more that a "citizens initiative" with no authority. It is amazing that the same process was used to implement the 2% property tax revenue cap that is still in place today. I wonder how that same council would have felt if that same judge had overruled the revenue cap in the same manner. The manuevering by the council was a disgraceful display of disrespect for the will of the voters.
ReplyDeleteThe police should not be unionized.
ReplyDeleteAl I am missing your point. These men and women are asking for a voice in government. It is a not a union just a right to have a seat and a partial voice in what driectly involves them. Just because you work for a government body one should still have the right to be heard. I think this a step in the right direction. It appears the County Council is the only enity that does not want this.
ReplyDeleteAs stated in a previous post the people of this county voted overwhelmingly to support this move over four years ago. Why has it taken so long. The truth is out there somewhere.
One issue is that law enforcent hired prior to 1994 were told there was no retirement. It was not just deputies. The late Sam Vincent also fell victim to this same lie. The fact is that the county did have a retiremnt in place. Why would any government tell an employee there was no retirement when in fact there was one in place. I am aware of a other civilian employees at the Sheriff's office that were told the same thing in in the eighties. My question is what has been done to rectify this issue ?
Maybe Matt Craemer can answer this. He and Carl Peterson ran the show at the time. It is a question that deserves an answer dont you think.
I truly understand the council recognizing that in the language of the bill it was illegal. Why was a resolution not sought between the groups involved. The lawyers cost both side a small fortune. That neither side had to spend.
Over 70% of the voters stated they supported this. It fell upon deaf ears of some. The will of the people was defied by an elected few.
Sheriff Lewis and Rick Pollitt work hard to get this matter resolved. The council would not meet with the F.O.P. on the matter. I hope all has been resolved and everyone can move on to more important issues.
This economy is stressed to say the least. The deputies are only pursuing what is fair and just. There is no hidden agenda. Just the right to a fair livelyhood and a benefit package that supports law enforcement. One can say this should not exist. I say until you walk a mile in the shoes of a deputy one does not know all the issues with this profession.
I hope that all involved approach this with professionalism and integrity it what the people of this county deserve.
To the poster Bob I say you hit the nail on the head. There are a few that have fought this tooth and nail. It has sent a loud and clear message to the men and women of the Sheriff's Office who support them and who do not. It is time to lower the walls and get this matter resolved.