Apparently the prison guard’s union is skulking about the capitol, looking for some crony to carry a bill that will give them a big, fat pay raise. They’re unhappy with the near-$1 billion raise that the state has already offered them as part of contract negotiations.
Rather than keep negotiating, they feel entitled to circumvent the state entirely and just ask legislators for a check. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that I’m incensed by this flagrant abuse of power and access. But it might surprise you to know that another union, that of the California Highway Patrol -is also fed up with the infamous “Devil’s Deal” contract negotiated by the prison guard’s ultimate crony, Gray Davis.
The bill that CCPOA is floating is motivated by nothing but greed, greed and more greed. It keeps the tie to CHP salaries-nevermind that the union representing these dedicated, brave and hard working law enforcement officers wants nothing to do with CCPOA. This bill gives the equivalent of a whopping 23 percent salary increase over three fiscal years, to the tune of $882 million. And it will cost the state nearly $650 million in 2007-2008 alone. Mind you, this money wasn’t budgeted, so it will only throw our already un-balanced budget out of whack completely.
This legislation will ensure that any time the CCPOA isn’t happy with the state’s offer, they’ll be at the Legislature’s doorstep with their hand out…whether they meet their lawful obligations to negotiate or not. Now as you know, I haven’t been singing this Governor’s praises lately. And I’m no fan of unions, period. But in terms of this contract, his administration has made a fair offer to CCPOA.
And by all accounts, the administration has negotiated fairly and is holding the line on spending here. The kind of abuse of power embodied by CCPOA’s bill shouldn’t have a home in Sacramento.
Any legislator who values their job should say no to this kind of gross political thugary, and tell CCPOA to get back where they belong: At the negotiating table.