Governor Brewer stands opposed to privatization.  President Duran and the Executive Board are pleased she kept her word to AZCPOA and the public.

July 01, 2009 3:00p.m.

To All AZCPOA Members,

Moments ago Richard Bark, an advisor to the Governor, called AZCPOA President Michael Duran to advise that the Governor had vetoed provisions in the budget relating to privatization.  We have been hearing from concerned members throughout the state.  Please pass this information along to all members.

We will keep you informed with any future updates.

Sincerely,
AZCPOA Executive Board

July 1st 2009

AZCPOA President Michael Duran, Executive Chief of Staff Maria Martin Vera, V.P. Joe Rodriguez and Len Sustaita along with his Chapter Board out of Perryville, and Officer Neil out of Phoenix Alhambra were all at the State Capitol tonight conducting press conferences with Channel 12 KPNX, News 4 out of Tucson and KOLD 13 also out of Tucson as well as KTAR radio. President Duran answered the questions on everyone’s mind. When President Duran was asked at midnight what are the officers going to do? He was Johnny on the spot and indicated, “They do as they always do...go to work and protect the public as the professional officers they are.” “They swore in an oath of office to protect the public and that's exactly what they are going to do.”  “Unlike the Private Prison, if the Private prison told their security guards they were not going to get paid, they would not show up for work.”  “We as State Certified Professional Correctional Officers do it better, safer, and more efficiently than anyone.”

In the July 2nd edition of the Arizona Republic, please look out for a quarter sheet page letting the public know how important it is to oppose the privatization that certain legislatures are in favor of.
Brought to you by AZCPOA Executive Board and Chapter Leaders.

"THERE ARE NO FRIENDS IN POLITICS", only agendas,alliances and aquaintances.

Promises are made to be broken in this game.

This is the time to pool all of our resources and send a message that our organization will not support the election of  individuals that do not further our cause as public servants. We still have time to rally at the capitol and go public using everything at our disposal. PRISON PRIVATIZATION DOES NOT WORK FOR ARIZONA!!!!

There is a human element here, its not just about the bottom line and how much money we can save. Its about our dedication to public safety and the states obligation to the tax payers in making criminals accountable for their actions. This is our responsibility, our Oath as Correctional workers and not for some private company. Our jobs are on the line here.
We are 4000 strong as a Union and many thousands more as a public safety agency, we can make a difference. We have the capacity, the numbers to sway an election..

It would be a disservice to our members if we do nothing, its better if we try and fail ---than sit on our hands and wish we had.

J Rodriguez
AZCPOA/AZCOPS
2nd vice pres  and Lewis chap pres

Privatization proposal for maximum security prisons raises concerns

By Jeremy Duda - jeremy.duda@azcapitoltimes.com
Published: June 18, 2009 at 10:36 pm

Perryville State Prison Complex in Glendale is on the auction block. (Photo by Bill Coates)
Arizona is no stranger to prison privatization, but the stakes are higher now that lawmakers have proposed turning over maximum security facilities, including the state’s death row, to private prison companies.
One of the budget bills passed by the Legislature on June 4, S1028, calls for the Department of Administration to issue a request for information on the feasibility of privatizing state prisons, including maximum security facilities. An earlier version of the budget package included the privatization of the Eyman, Perryville and Yuma prison complexes. Eyman’s Browning Unit houses Arizona’s death row.
Private prisons in Arizona have housed DUI offenders and other low- and medium-security inmates since the early 1990s. But to Department of Corrections Director Charles Ryan, privatizing maximum security and “close-custody” inmates – the second-highest security level in the corrections system – is a step too far.

FULL STORY

SB1035 going  before the senate right now if passed will increase our contributions we pay into CORP and therefore mean less take home pay.

Please pass the word for everyone to contact their senators and voice strong opposition to this.  In these times, we don't need to decrease our paychecks.

http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/1r/summary/s.1035approp_strikermemo.doc.htm

Robert Blackmer
AZCOPS Investigator Chapter President/
Executive Board Member
602-616-3935

All AZCPOA Chapter leaders and members, are asked to please join us on Friday, June 5th, for grievance training.  It will be held at the AZCPOA Phoenix office from 9:00a.m. to 12:00 noon.  Our special guest will be General Counsel, Martin Bihn. 
We are hoping to have as many members from each complex as possible, and new members are especially encouraged to attend.  Please contact the AZCPOA office if you will be attending.  Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Thank you,
AZCPOA Vice President,
Michael Duran
602-253-8929
1-888-829-2762
2200 N. Central Ave., Ste. 301
Phoenix, AZ  85004

On behalf of Maggie Sammons:

I'd like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank the Tucson AZCPOA Membership for their support and assistance during my service as Tucson President over the years. Recently our members participated in a mail in ballot for local leadership, and again the support was there.

While I support each member, and I've made numerous long-lasting friendships statewide as a result, I've decided that effective immediately, my tenure as AZCPOA Tucson President has come to an end. I wish those who choose to be successors well.

I would like to thank Maggie for her service, her dedication and for the differences she made for the quality of work life for hundreds of Correctional Officers. Michael Duran AZCPOA State Executive Vice President

On Friday April 16th, key Leaders of the AZCPOA met to discuss a number of issues that have received increased attention over recent months and in many instances, upset members.  AZCPOA leadership recognized the need to deal with these issues and refocus so that the best interest of AZCPOA might move forward.  It was quickly determined that the number one priority would be Unity.  Everyone agreed that AZCOPS would provide the template for a revamped organizational structure, thus insuring continued growth and future success in a number of areas. 
The key words of discussion were:  Transparency, Communication and Organization. It was agreed that with a revamped Organizational Chart, all members would have an increased voice.  With this new structure in place, both communication (at all levels) and transparency would easily follow.  Bi-laws and the revamped organizational chart will be posted for two weeks for all members to provide input.   Thereafter,   executive level discussion will review this member input for implementation.

As an aside: with joint cooperation from CWA/AZCOPS and AZCPOA, the recently expanded AZCPOA office space will be accessed in the coming days by CWA, as a strategic location for their new Phoenix office.    This will resolve/ delete the recent office expenditure and mutually aid all parties in growing a powerful Union. Both AZCOPS and AZCPOA stand united in their effort to grow and protect member interest during these financially difficult times.  AZCOPS works for yPresident Michael Duran recently met with the Governor, to work out details in preventing Prison Privatization.