OCSEA members in DR&C shoulder unfair burden of cuts

April 10, 2008 - One day after the announcement that Ohio’s prison population hit another high watermark, OCSEA employees in DR&C learned that 701 total positions would be abolished in Ohio’s state prisons.

301 of those positions come from the rank and file of OCSEA and include Sergeants, Secretaries, Food Service Workers, Training Officers, Health and Safety Coordinators and others.

“We’re disappointed at the outcome and feel that the agency is top heavy with managers that should have been considered for abolishment. For years, our members have born the brunt of cuts,” said OCSEA DR&C Assembly President Charlie Williamson.

“We thought the state was committed to looking at and changing the management structure. Instead, they did a tit-for-tat, while not actually looking at how the services would be provided and what management levels you really need to fill that function,” said Williamson.

The union was also surprised at the number of positions being targeted that could have a direct affect on security. “We’re finding that there are a number of positions that are raising concerns about health and safety. Frankly, we were surprised by both the numbers and the potential impact,” said Executive Director Andy Douglas.

“Having said that, the union believes the numbers of employees that will ultimately be laid off will be greatly reduced through the filling of vacancies and an Early Retirement Incentive Plan,” added Douglas.

As previously announced, the rationale indicates DR&C will offer a voluntary ERIP that will allow eligible employees to retire. The window period to take the offer extends until March 2009.

Still, the union has more questions than answers about the number of vacancies DR&C management plans to fill.

“We understand that people are anxious and that this will be disruptive, but the union will do everything in its power to secure as many bargaining unit positions as possible,” said OCSEA President Eddie Parks.

DR&C union leadership and staff continue to sift through the more than 1,000-page rationale for layoffs, the largest document ever produced by the state agency under these circumstances.

In addition, the union has scanned each institution’s rationale and sent electronic copies on disk to every chapter president and staff who has Corrections and Adult Parole Authority responsibilities.

The union is also demanding to know the date of the paper layoff.

See Related

Frontline workers should not shoulder unfair burden of 701 DRC cuts (OCSEA Union Blog - April 9, 2008)

Prisons trim 701 support jobs; Economy dictates budget cuts despite record number of inmates (Columbus Dispatch - April 9, 2008)

State Budget Resources

Website of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections