CWA LOCAL 2055

Dear Local 2055 Member: Welcome to Corrections Day 2014! The water crisis interrupted the first month of this legislative session but weve remained focused on our legislative agenda. PAYRAISES On the first day of the legislative session, during his State of the State address, Gov. Tomblin announced an annual pay raise for all state workers would be included in the budget bill. We are most appreciative to the Governor for taking the lead on this much needed pay increase, especially for Corrections Employees. In our discussions with Gov. Tomblin we have expressed the need for further pay increases specifically for Corrections Employees. As part of that effort we are working with Senator Miller, Senator Laird and Delegate Perry to pursue additional legislation for increased annual pay for Corrections. Seniority HB 4386 Delegate Mike Caputo (D-Marion) is the lead sponsor on HB 4386, which would establish seniority rights for public employees. The bill has been referenced to the House Committee on Industry and Labor and then to the Finance Committee. Improve Working Conditions HB 4380 While there has been some progress made as a result of SB 371 still more is needed to improve the working conditions of corrections employees. CWA will continue to work with policy makers on any bills involving working conditions or changes within correctional facilities and will continue to work towards solutions to the overcrowding problems. One way we are working to improve overall working conditions is with OSHA legislation. HB 4380 would make corrections facilities subject to Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) standards. Making correctional facilities OSHA compliant would greatly increase the protection and safety of Corrections Employees. Delegate Peggy Smith (D-Lewis) is the lead sponsor on HB 4380 and the bill has been referenced to the Committee on Industry and Labor and then to Judiciary. Increased Starting Pay for Correctional Officers We continue to stress to the Legislature and to the Governor the importance of increased starting pay for Correctional Officers employed at the WV Division of Corrections, WV Division of Juvenile Services and the Regional Jail Authority. Over

Budget Funding for Step Increases of Pay Ranges in Job Classifications Due to revenue shortfalls there is no money in the budget for step pay increases this year. But we will continue to work for increasing the pay range for correctional facility job classifications. This is the type of issue where the proposed Future Fund (SB 461) could make a big difference. The Future Fund could add budget funding for much needed projects from the tax revenue on the booming Marcellus Shale Gas industry. For this reason, and others, CWA supports the Future Fund legislation (SB 461). 20-Year Retirement Benefits We continue to push the Legislature to consider pension benefits after 20 years of service, and full retirement benefits at age 55, for Division of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Services and the Regional Jail Authority employees. Unfortunately, with the revenue shortfalls, it is very difficult to get any type of pension legislation under consideration. Once again, this is why bills like SB 461 (The Future Fund) are important so alternate sources of funding for important issue will be available. As is usually the case we have a lot of issues that we are working on at the Capitol every day to improve the lives and jobs of Local 2055 members. Your presence here today can make a big difference in helping to build the support a bill needs. We encourage you to speak with all of your elected representatives to let them know whats important to you and what issues and bills you support.

In Solidarity, Elaine A. Harris CWA International Representative and Administrator for CWA/NCPSO Local 2055