Legislative Session Ends

The Legislature is set to approve the budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 late tonight, which includes previously unresolved contract articles covering Department of Corrections officers, as well as state employees represented by other unions.

(Read the newsletter here.)
 

Another Privatization Win for Local 2011, FDOC Officers

The Florida Senate approved its budget bill with an additional amendment on privatization late Thursday, adding another layer of protection this year from any attempts by Gov. Rick Scott and his legislative allies to back-door prison privatization.

(Read the newsletter here.)
 

State Releases Projected Prison Closure Dates

At the request of Teamsters Local 2011, the FDOC has released a list of projected closure dates for 11 facilities, but officers are urged to continue to speak out against the closures in an attempt to keep prisons open. Local 2011 is developing a model "Letter to the Editor" that officers can sign on to and deliver to their local newspapers, and Local 2011 is putting together letters addressed to Gov. Rick Scott and FDOC Secretary Kenneth S. Tucker that officers will be able to send. These letters will be available soon. Also, the Florida Senate approved its budget bill today with an additional amendment against privatization adding one more layer of protection from any attempts by Gov. Rick Scott and his legislative allies to back-door prison privatization. (Read the newsletter here.)

Local 2011, FDOC Officers Win Another Privatization Victory

The Florida Senate approved its budget bill on Thursday, Feb. 23 with an additional amendment against privatization adding one more layer of protection from any attempts by Gov. Rick Scott and his legislative allies to back-door prison privatization.

(Read more here.)

Listen to the Feb. 22 Conference Call Here

Listen to the conference call where Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa and Local 2011 Acting President Ken Wood and others provided important updates about privatization, the planned closures, contract negotiations and other issues.

(Listen to the audio here.)

Join FDOC Teamsters Call at 5 p.m. (Eastern) Wednesday, Feb. 22

Please join Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, Acting President of Teamsters Local 2011 and Teamsters Southern Region Vice President Ken Wood and others on a conference call at 5 p.m. (Eastern) Wednesday, Feb. 22 to learn more about the planned closures, the privatization victory, a contract update and other issues. Read more here.

Teamsters: Florida Doesn't Want Prison Privatization

(TAMPA) — The following is a statement from Ken Wood, Acting President of Teamster Local 2011, which represents 20,000 Florida Department of Corrections officers. Read the Wood statement here.
 

Officers Deliver 'Thank You' Notes to Senators

A day after the Florida state Senate voted 21-19 against prison privatization, officers hand-delivered "thank you" cards to each of the senators who voted with us, and other officers spread the word about the importance of building a strong Teamsters Local 2011. "We delivered cards to every senator who stood with FDOC officers to tell them 'thank you' for helping to save the livelihoods of thousands of officers," said Jennifer Riley, a sergeant at Reception and Medical Center. "We wanted to let each of the 21 senators know what their vote meant to officers statewide and to the families and communities they helped by casting that vote." (Read the newsletter here.)

Victory for FDOC Officers!

The Senate voted 21-19 today against the privatization bill SB 2038, in a huge victory for FDOC officers. Thanks to FDOC officers and Teamsters Local 2011 representatives who have maintained a steady presence at the Capitol and lobbied their senators for weeks, legislation privatizing Region 4 has been shot down.

(Read the newsletter here.)

Correctional Officers Applaud Senate for Killing Prison Privatization

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Florida correctional officers today praised the Senate today for voting down a bill that would have privatized more than two dozen prisons.

Read more about this victory here.
 

Showdown in the Senate Arrives Tuesday!

The showdown on SB 2038 has arrived, and 5,000 FDOC officers' jobs are now at stake on Tuesday, Feb. 14, when the full Senate votes on the privatization bill. The Florida state Senate narrowly voted down an amendment on Monday, February 13 (by a vote of 21-19) to study the real cost of privatizing the state's prisons, paving the way for the full Senate to vote on privatization bill SB 2038 on Tuesday, February 14.

(Read the newsletter here.)

Correctional Officers Disappointed In Failure Of Privatization Study

Say Fasano Amendment Would Have Brought Transparency To Process

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Florida correctional officers today said they are disappointed that the Senate failed to pass an amendment to study the real cost of privatizing the state’s prisons.

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, submitted an amendment to the sweeping proposal to turn correctional facilities over to for-profit corporations. His amendment, which failed 21-19, would have ordered an objective cost-benefit study of privatization. Read more.

Privatization Showdown Is On

All FDOC officers are being urged to come to Tallahassee next Monday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 14, when the Senate is expected to take up the privatization bill. This is the final showdown, and unless FDOC officers turn out to show their powerful opposition, this bill will likely pass, 5,000 officer jobs will be lost and all officers will suffer the impact.

(Read the newsletter here.)

Privatization Rears Its Ugly Head

The Senate is expected to once again take up the privatization bill SB 2038 on Monday, Feb. 13 when it reconvenes. Officers need to call their senators starting right now and they are being urged to come to the state Capitol to help save thousands of jobs. The bill is on the calendar and could also be heard Tuesday if no vote occurs Monday. Read the newsletter for instructions for calling your senator and for details about joining your fellow officers in Tallahassee!

(Read the newsletter here.)

FDOC Officers Stand Up to Prison Closures

FDOC officers hailed the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners for unanimously passing a resolution today requesting that Hillsborough CI remain open.

(Read the newsletter here.)

FDOC Officers Keep Up the Pressure

FDOC officers kept up the pressure against privatization on Tuesday, Feb. 7 by meeting with their senators at the state Capitol, and officers urged their fellow officers to contact senators back in their home districts. The Legislature reconvened today and will be in session on Wednesday, Feb. 8. Senate leadership’s attempts to ramrod the privatization bill, SB2038, have come to a complete halt since February 1 when it was obvious there was a lack of support. The bill is not expected to be heard this week. But that’s not stopping the governor from trying to twist arms to get senators to reconsider their opposition. Privatization supporters are ramping up efforts to turn the vote around, which is why it is so critical for officers to keep up the pressure.

(Read the newsletter here.)
 

FDOC Officers Descend On Tallahassee

As the Legislature prepares to reconvene Tuesday, Feb. 7 and Wednesday, Feb. 8, FDOC officers are returning to the Capitol where they will flood Senate and House offices in opposition to prison privatization.

(Read the newsletter here.)

Teamsters Membership Meetings Sweep State

The steady presence of FDOC officers outside the state Capitol this week sent a strong message that officers are taking a powerful stand against dangerous prison privatization legislation. While their presence in Tallahassee will continue next week, many officers are also attending Teamsters Local 2011 membership and shop steward meetings throughout the state. The meetings are taking place now through Feb. 7, with the goal of bringing together officers and providing training, as well as education on the benefits of Teamster membership. (Read the newsletter here.)
 

Activist Gathers 23,000 Signatures In 5 Days Opposing Prison Privatization

Miami Probation Officer Starts Online Petition

(TAMPA, Fla.) — A Florida Department of Corrections activist took it upon herself to circulate an anti-prison privatization petition and gathered more than 23,000 signatures in just five days.

Christina Bullins, a Miami probation officer supervisor, started the petition Sunday using signon.org. Just 48 hours later, 10,000 people signed. As of today, more than 23,170 people have signed the petition. Read more.

FDOC Officers' Actions Make a Difference

The Florida Senate's delay in voting on a privatization bill this week was good news, but FDOC officers said the fight is only just beginning and they are preparing to return to the state Capitol when the vote takes place. "I plan on trying to work as many extra days as possible and switch them with other officers whenever I can to get time off to come back here," said Sgt. Pepper Scott. "It is extremely important for us to stand as one. We need to fight and live by the motto 'Never Walk Alone.'" (Read the newsletter here.)
 

Removal of Sen. Fasano From Budget Chair 'Undemocratic,' Says Teamster Leader

(TAMPA, Fla.) —Ken Wood, Acting President of Teamsters Local 2011, today denounced the strong-arm tactics used against Sen. Mike Fasano because of his opposition to a plan to privatize prisons in 18 Florida counties..” (Read more here.)

FDOC Officers’ Voices Getting Heard in Tallahassee; Senate Vote Delayed

Thanks to FDOC officers coming to Tallahassee to speak out, contacting their legislators back home, signing petitions and other efforts, the Senate vote on a privatization bill has been delayed. The Senate vote on SB 2038 could occur as early as next week. It was initially scheduled for a vote today, but the review of the bill was slowed down as opposition builds. “Our voices are being heard in Tallahassee—we’ve helped slow down this bill,” said Officer Julia Erns from Charlotte CI. “But we cannot rest now. We need to continue to speak out and take action in the coming days and weeks. This fight is far from over.” (Read the newsletter here.)

Officers Urged to Come to Tallahassee As Fight Intensifies

While a vote by the full Senate on a privatization bill now appears unlikely Wednesday, February 1, the battle is intensifying and officers are being urged to come to the state Capitol Wednesday to fight as both sides dig in for a long struggle. "While the full Senate vote is unlikely Wednesday, the privatization legislation is still under public review and this fight is intensifying at all levels in Tallahassee," said Ken Wood, Acting President of Teamsters Local 2011. "This is going to be a long, hard fight and we need to keep the pressure up. That is the message here: we must fight all the way until we defeat this dangerous proposal. We need officers to come on Wednesday to send this message to lawmakers." (Read the newsletter here.)

Video: Anti-Privatization News Conference on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012

Florida state Sen. Mike Fasano (R-17th Dist.) and others, including FDOC Teamster Penny Reeder, appear at a news conference Tuesday, January 31 to speak out against privatization. (See the video here.)

As Senate Vote Fast Approaches, Officers Urged to Take Action

With less than 48 hours to go before the full Senate votes on a privatization bill, FDOC officers are urged to come to the state Capitol or contact their legislators to win this battle to save our jobs and protect our communities. "Every vote counts, so it is incredibly important that we have all hands on deck and have officers show up in force on Wednesday," said Ken Wood, Acting President of Teamsters Local 2011. "This is about protecting the livelihoods of thousands of officers and their families. We cannot and must not rest until we win this fight together." Read the newsletter here.

Sign the Petition to Save Our Jobs and Our Communities

Tell Florida lawmakers not to change state law to give private companies billions of dollars in secret contracts with no cost-benefit analysis and no public review.
 

Sign the petition here.

Hear Audio to Today’s Conference Call About Privatization

Listen to the audio from today’s FDOC Teamsters conference call, hosted by Local 2011. The call updated officers about the fight against prison privatization. Download the audio here.

FDOC Officers Rally Against Privatization

FDOC Probation Officer Christina Bullins was one of many officers who rallied Friday, January 27 outside senators’ district offices in opposition to prison privatization, and Bullins urged other officers to speak out. “Privatization will have huge negative impacts—communities will be less safe, there will be layoffs, workers will lose benefits,” said Bullins, a 12-year FDOC employee, who rallied outside the office of state Sen. Rene Garcia (R-Dist. 40). “We all need to step up. It’s not a time to be apathetic. We are the officers. We are the union. These are our jobs. These are our communities.” Full Senate is expected to vote on privatization bill on Wednesday, February 1 and officers are urged to come to state Capitol to speak out. Read the newsletter here.

Full Senate to Vote on Privatization Bill on February 1

It’s crunch time in Tallahassee. This week, dozens of FDOC officers came to the state Capitol to speak out against privatization, and the need for officers to come is greater than ever as the full Senate prepares to vote on SB2038 on Wednesday, February 1.

On February 1, the full Senate will be in session from 1 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Officers are urged to meet at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 3388 Lonnbladh Road, Tallahassee at 11:30 a.m. to get a debriefing before heading to the Capitol. Read the newsletter here.

Let Your Opinion Count: Write Letter to the Editor, Sign a Petition

As the battle against the privatization bills move forward in the Legislature, we need to do everything possible to fight these destructive proposals. FDOC officers are urged to write a letter to their local newspaper editor and sign a petition to the Legislature opposing privatizations.

Officers Meet With Powerful Lawmaker in Extraordinary Meeting

Dozens of FDOC officers hoping to testify against prison privatization at a Senate Budget Committee hearing Wednesday never got a chance to speak in committee. What they got was better: an hour-long meeting with the powerful Budget Chairman, J.D. Alexander (R-17) before a phalanx of statehouse reporters. And they educated him on the impact of privatization - both on their families and communities, and on the budget. (Read newsletter.)

Important Documents About Perils of Privatization

Teamsters Local 2011 has gathered and produced numerous documents being distributed to legislators in Tallahassee proving that privatization is costly, endangers communities and is bad policy. Officers are urged to read these important documents and to reach out to your state legislators to encourage them to oppose privatization. Officers are also urged to come to a future hearing at the state Capitol to make your voices heard against privatization and the planned closure of 11 facilities. Read more here.

Correctional Officers Call For Nonpartisan Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Prison Privatization

Analysis Of Impact On County, Municipalities, FRS Is Needed

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Today, Florida correctional officers asked lawmakers to conduct a thorough, nonpartisan cost-benefit analysis of the proposal to turn public prisons over to for-profit corporations. Officers traveled to Tallahassee for the third consecutive day to testify against a privatization proposal for Southern Florida that’s being rushed through the legislature. Read more, here.

FDOC Officers Renew Plea to Lawmakers to Consider Dangers of Privatization

Officers again traveled to Tallahassee on Tuesday, January 24, to testify against a sweeping privatization proposal for Southern Florida that's being rushed through the Legislature. Officers testified at a House Appropriations Committee hearing today. "I feel like it's my duty to come to Tallahassee and do whatever is necessary to stop the privatization of the prisons," Sgt. Dianna Swain, who works at the Reception and Medical Center in Lake Butler, said outside the hearing room. "Privatization is bad for the state, for our communities and for ourselves and our families. I urge my fellow officers to get involved and to come to the state Capitol to attend an upcoming hearing. We all need to work together on this." Another key hearing, Senate Budge Committee, is scheduled at 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 25 and officers are urged to come to Tallahassee to speak out against the privatization proposals. Meet at the Hampton Inn & Suites at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 25 to get a debriefing from Teamsters Local 2011 before heading to the Capitol. (Read the newsletter here.)
 

Correctional Officers Say For-Profit Prisons Endanger Citizens, Community

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Florida correctional officers renewed their plea on Tuesday for lawmakers to consider the dangers of privatization. Officers traveled to Tallahassee to testify against a sweeping privatization proposal for Southern Florida that’s being rushed through the legislature. (Read more here.)
 

Dozens of FDOC Officers, Supporters Come to Tallahassee to Fight Privatization

Dozens of FDOC Officers, supporters and community members came to Tallahassee on Monday, Jan. 23 to denounce a plan to privatize prisons that would endanger communities and destroy officers' livelihoods. Officers testified at a Senate Rules Committee hearing and more hearings are scheduled this week in the Legislature. Officers are encouraged to come to the state Capitol to have their voices heard. (Read the newsletter here.)
 

Correctional Officers Say For-Profit Prisons Won't Save Money

DOC Employees Come To Statehouse To Protest Closures, Privatization

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Turning prison facilities over to for-profit companies won’t save Florida taxpayers any money and will probably cost them more, said Teamster correctional officers, their families, their neighbors and union officials who came to the Statehouse Monday.

Former Sen. Ron Silver, attorney for Teamsters Local 2011 in Tampa, testified against the privatization proposal at a hearing of the Senate Rules Committee. Read more, here.

See Video of the Prison-Privatization Legislative Hearings

As the state Legislature conducts hearings on the prison-privatization bills, video of the hearings is available online for you to watch.

Watch and hear your fellow FDOC officers testify at these hearings. Read more here.

Click here for a flier version of this information.

Three Hearings Scheduled: Come and Fight for Your Jobs!

Three hearings are scheduled at the state Capitol during the week of January 23 on prison-privatization, and FDOC officers are urged to come to Tallahassee to fight for your livelihoods, your families and your communities.

The hearings are on Monday, January 23; Tuesday, January 24; and Wednesday, January 25.

Read more here.                                

Correctional Officers Applaud Jefferson County Resolution Against Prison Closure

County Board Says Closing Would Cost Local Economy $19 Million

(MONTICELLO, Fla.) — Local correctional officers hailed the Jefferson County Board for passing a resolution tonight asking that the Jefferson Correctional Institution remain open. Closure of the facility – the largest local employer -- would ruin the Jefferson County economy and uproot longtime residents.

The Florida Department of Corrections recently announced its intention to close the Jefferson Correctional Institution by April 1, 2012, without any input from lawmakers, local elected officials, economic development representatives, community leaders, business owner, or citizens. Read more here.                                   

Teamsters Correctional Officers Stand Strong in Tallahassee

In an extraordinary exchange, two Teamster correctional officers took a powerful state senator to school on Wednesday, January 18 on the harm that will be caused if Florida privatizes its prisons. View more photos from this event.

Testimony before the Senate Rules Committee had ended, and witnesses, onlookers, lawmakers and the press milled around the committee room. Bret Pruett, who works at the Santa Rosa CI and Jason Clark, who works at the Reception and Medical Center, took the opportunity to tell Sen. J.D. Alexander that privatizing prisons would cost more money and endanger lives. Alexander, a Republican from Lake Wales, indicated in the hearing that he supports the bill. Read more here.
 

Correctional Officers Say Prison Proposals Will Devastate Their Communities

Workers Come To Statehouse To Protest Closures, Privatization

(TALLAHASSEE, Fla.) — Correctional officers and other prison workers today said proposals to privatize and close Florida corrections facilities will throw thousands of people out of work and endanger local communities. A dozen correctional officers converged on the Statehouse today to urge lawmakers to reject the plan.

Bill Curtis, a correctional officer with Charlotte C.I., said privatization of his facility would cost him his job, his insurance and possibly his wife’s life.

“It’s going to throw everyone out of work,” said Curtis. “I’m going to lose my insurance, and that’s important to me because my wife had a stroke. It’s a matter of life and death.” Read more here.

Teamsters Leader: We'll Fight Latest Bid To Privatize Prisons

(TAMPA, Fla.) — Ken Wood, Acting President of Teamsters Local 2011, today denounced a Senate panel for releasing a prison-privatization bill this afternoon. The Senate Rules Committee released a bill that would require the Department of Corrections to privatize all prisons and other correctional facilities in 18 counties in the Southern half of the state.

Earlier today, Wood called for field hearings into the proposed closure of seven prison facilities and four work camps. Read more here.
 

Senate Has New Prison Privatization Proposal

After being rebuffed by a judge for its effort to privatize several prisons because of the way lawmakers went about it, the Legislature will try again to shed several prisons, this time doing it in statute.

The Senate Rules Committee on Friday quietly released a proposal and scheduled a hearing for this coming Wednesday to discuss the proposed committee bill (SPB 7172), which would require the Department of Corrections to privatize all prisons and other correctional facilities in 18 counties in the Southern half of the state. Read more.

Ken Wood Calls On Governor To Drop Prison Privatization

Ken Wood, Acting President of our Teamsters Local 2011, is calling on Governor Scott to respect a recent court decision halting prison privatization.

In a letter to the governor, Wood demanded that Scott not further waste the state’s resources by appealing the decision. Wood urged the governor to “drop prison privatization once and for all.”

Read Wood’s hard-hitting letter here.

Scott is already facing an investigation resulting from an ethics complaint filed by Wood. The State of Florida Commission on Ethics found last month that the Teamsters’ complaint was “legally sufficient” to launch an investigation into Scott’s plan to privatize state prisons.

The complaint, filed on Sept. 12, raises major concerns about Scott, political parties and candidates accepting nearly $1 million in political and inaugural donations from two companies that have advocated for the governor to privatize the state’s prison system and are seeking contracts.

Officers Deliver Ethics Complaint To GEO Group Headquarters

Chanting “No GEO” and “Don’t Privatize, Organize,” FDOC officers delivered an ethics complaint today to The GEO Group Inc. headquarters, and the officers expressed anger and outrage at the tainted privatization bidding process.

“Privatization makes me angry because it doesn’t benefit our families or the public,” Sarah Babineaux, a seven-year correctional officer, said outside GEO’s Boca Raton headquarters. “The plan was stuck into the budget. We are standing together with the Teamsters to fight for our jobs.”

“Privatization is going to hurt us,” said Officer Anthony Caravaglio. “We are already losing our houses, everything.”

“Our communities are at risk,” said Officer Kelly Barbera. “They want to cut our jobs. Please help us in the fight.”

The rally outside GEO’s headquarters is just the latest action as the Teamsters Union mobilizes the officers to fight prison privatization. The officers are turning to the Teamsters to get real representation from a real union. It’s bad enough that under the PBA, correctional, probation and parole officers have had no raises and pension takeaways. Now the PBA is selling officers’ jobs to the private sector lock, stock and barrel.

The officers delivered the ethics complaint that was filed last week against Gov. Rick Scott. The union filed the complaint with the state of Florida Commission on Ethics. The complaint exposes the tainted bidding process for the privatization of prisons in FDOC Region 4, which includes 18 South Florida counties.

Officers are organizing with the Teamsters to protect their futures. The Public Services division of the Teamsters Union already represents law enforcement officers in over 1,400 departments and agencies nationwide. The good contracts and strong representation the Teamsters have brought to this field have improved working conditions for correctional facilities employees.

View photos from the rally, here.
 

Fighting Prison Privatization

The Teamsters Union has taken action on our behalf by filing a complaint September 12 with the Florida Commission on Ethics against Florida Governor Rick Scott for trying to force the privatization process of South Florida prisons using a tainted bidding process. The complaint was filed by Ken Wood, acting President of Teamsters Local 2011 which will represent us when we form our union with the Teamsters. The complaint outlined how two of the country’s largest prison privatization companies, Geo Group (GEO) and Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), have donated cash to Scott’s inauguration fund.

The Teamsters’ latest action is just one more example of how the union is fighting for our futures. The union has mobilized us to fight privatization, and other actions included a pension lawsuit, numerous meetings with public officials, resolutions, a postcard campaign, and other activities.

We know that privatization is wrong. It will cost the state more to privatize the prisons, will destroy our jobs and will hurt our communities. It’s also clear that the process to privatize is extremely suspect.