As 2009 comes to a close, I felt it time to reflect on the events that have shaped AZCPOA this year, the challenges we have faced and overcome, the challenges facing us in 2010 and beyond, and to acknowledge those who continue to strive in making our Union the standard others seek to attain.
            It is no secret our membership has declined over the past few months.  However, the tables have turned.  We have begun to see members who left for what they thought were greener pastures, returning having only seen asphalt and barren land.  The promises were empty and the harsh reality is AZCPOA continues to be the only recognized employee group in the Arizona Department of Corrections.
            To that end, the Executive Board, and the Board of Directors, have taken steps to continue moving us forward by re-energizing our organizing efforts and hiring long time friend, and ally, Chuck Foy, as our Executive Director.
            Chuck was with AZCPOA in our humble beginnings when we were just a bunch of officers who’d had enough and wanted a voice in our workplace.  As then President of AZCOPS, Chuck guided us through the initial years of formation, came back to us after he retired from his job as a police officer with the city of Peoria, and helped build our membership to nearly 3000 before leaving to take a position with the CWA State Council in 2007.
            Chuck brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and respect to the political arena.  As our voice at the Arizona State Legislature, and wherever else he is needed, our members will be well represented.  He is charged with reporting to you, the AZCPOA member, the actions, events, and issues that directly affect your livelihood as an employee of the Department of Corrections.
            Clearly, the number one challenge facing all of us, officer and civilian alike, is the attack on our jobs by those who think the private sector is the answer to solving the budget ills of our state. 
Privatization of our jobs will not solve the current budget crisis.  Nor will the sale of state facilities.  As you all know, a band-aid on a huge cut only covers so much.  It rarely stops the bleeding, and comes off with little or no effort.  It is a short term solution to a long term problem.  One AZCPOA leadership stands ready to address in partnership with the Legislature, the Governor, the Director, and most importantly, the citizens of Arizona who we serve to protect.
Our Executive Board, and Board of Directors, are keeping up with challenges facing each of you every day. Our legal team continues to monitor changes in case law and pending disciplinary actions.
In closing, I wish you, and your families, a safe and happy holiday season.  I look forward to serving on your behalf in 2010.

Chuck Foy Returns as Executive Director

December 16, 2009 – Phoenix, Arizona – Long time law enforcement advocate and union leader, Chuck Foy, has been appointed Executive Director for the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association (AZCPOA).

Chuck, a retired city of Peoria Police Officer, former President of the Peoria Police Officers Association, former President of the Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs, former Political Director for the Communications Workers of America State Council in Arizona, and former Chief of Staff for AZCPOA, brings over 27 years of law enforcement and political experience to his new position.

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AZCPOA Family

My friends, three words stood out while writing this letter to you; loyalty, trust, and integrity. These are not just words, they are part of the foundation that built this organization. These words are what shapes each and every one of us and those that work with us to push this organization forward.    
  
 It’s no accident that November 25, 2009 proved to be a "New Beginning" for this Organization. AZCPOA Chapter leaders rose to the occasion to push forward and to also continue our fight against privatization. There is still time to win this battle. It is essential that we stay together and united as one organization with dedicated members willing to do whatever it takes to WIN!! Our safety and the public's safety is the most important thing in this challenge. There are five areas or points we will focus on to fight prison privatization;

1. We cannot sit idle and hope that privatization will go away.
2. Educate ourselves on the lawmakers that voted for privatization and why.
3. Lets formulate a plan to approach lawmakers that voted for privatization to reverse the law.
4. How will privatization affect the retirement system?
5. Educate the public on the dangers of privatization.

Let’s stay united and focused on the issue. We need your help to continue this journey in building a better Union for ourselves, for our family, for future members. On behalf of the AZCPOA leadership, we thank you for the support and the trust you have placed in us. With this in mind, let’s go and take care of the business at hand.

Your friend,
Tixoc Munoz
AZCPOA Executive President

Message from  AZCPOA

For those other so called labor groups. I am not sure what crystal ball you think you’re looking at, but there it is in black and white for your reading enjoyment. Prison PRIVATIZATION is alive and BREWER-ing in our own front yard.  Yes, fellow AZCPOA members, this is a direct threat on our jobs and public safety. State legislators are looking to make the necessary adjustments to push forward with privatization. AZCPOA/AZCOPS leadership are working tirelessly to defeat privatization and tell them to take a hike! You have to question yourself, what is my labor organization doing to protect me and my family from prison privatization? Taking a neutral stance and sitting on the sidelines is not going to help!!

NOW! Not later, is the time to get onboard and help stop private prisons from taking our jobs. Take notice of the list of names on this committee.

Call or email everyone on this list and voice your concerns! By doing this, each committee member in attendance will have your voice and emails fresh on their minds during deliberations.
http://www.az.leg.gov/

Lets push forward!!
Thanks, from your AZCPOA  Executive leadership.

Tixoc, Munoz Executive President
12/1/09

 

Dear AZCPOA Members,

      We are writing to inform you of a couple of new links with information regarding the Political Action Committee (PAC).  When you have a chance please check them out.  Also, on the homepage of our website, azcpoa.org, there is a link to hear the KTAR radio add re: Prison Privatization.  This is a result of extensive work and efforts involving the AZCPOA members and leaders.  Let’s keep pushing forward.

The links are:

azcpoapac.com
protectaz.com
azcpoa.org

Sincerely,
Joe Rodriguez ‘J.Rod’
AZCPOA Vice President
azcpoavp@gmail.com
jrod3544@cox.net

STAND WITH US OR LAY DOWN WITH THE OTHERS UNIONIZE DON'T PRIVATIZE

Don't let anyone mislead you, our political stand is of huge importance in this fight to keep privatization out of our state. Some quotes from State Senators. State Senator Andy Biggs a Republican who supports private prisons stated. "If we were not in this economic environment, I don't think we'd be talking about this with the same sense of urgency".

State Representative John Kavanagh, the Chairman of the State House Appropriations Committee and architect of the new legislation authorizing privatization stated. "We might not privatize in 2010 but we will in 2011".

Please understand these legislatures are being  backed by the other labor group ACA out of Eyman Complex. I find it hard to back someone who wants to take my job.  I understand FOP, who's President is out of Winslow, is also hard pressed to go against legislatures that do not like Corrections. This is why you should join stay and be loyal to the ONLY labor group who is fighting to keep Corrections a State Business.

Please do your research and let others know, if they want proof of the other labor groups I have it with me. Have them call me. It will be going out to the web site soon.

 

Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association
Tixoc Munoz Executive President
12/1/09

Folks - I have received several calls regarding this issue.  Here is a portion of the text from the Governor's letter to Sen. Burns and Speaker Adams:
I appreciate the provision of the bill (SB1001) that suggests agency directors may implement an employee salary reduction to meet designated budget reduction amounts.  However, because of the State merit system and the fundamental need to fairly implement pay reductions, I believe either specific legislation regarding pay reductions or a rule-making process will first be necessary for implementation.  Accordingly, since a statutory change that clearly and quickly implements a statewide pay reduction will be the fairest and quickest process, I have directed the Arizona Department of Administration to draft language on the matter for inclusion in legislation.  I believe after discussing the matter further with you, we will all agree to quick and early action. (12/23/09)
As you can see - this is not a done deal.  However, the Governor, and 'our' Legislative leaders, have already decided the next step in the budget fix process is to reduce your wages.  I would venture the votes are there to do so.  Thus, it will be necessary for us to mobilize and begin contacting your elected representatives and urge restraint in this area.  Any such legislative change will be difficult to undo in the future and most certainly will pave the way for more assaults on YOUR pay and benefits.
I wish my message this holiday season was more positive.  However - information is power and I felt it necessary to get this out.  Questions?  Give me a call at the office on Monday (602-253-8929).
Chuck Foy

Executive Director
Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Assoc.
602-828-5828

PRISON PROPOSAL: CCA criticized by union, praised by Florence officials

By Ken Hedler
The Daily Courier

Friday, December 18, 2009

Corrections Corporation of America and other operators of private prisons have drawn fire from public employees unions for allegedly paying lower wages and straining public services in communities.
However, CCA also earned kudos from a police detective and town government official in Florence, where the company operates two prisons.
CCA pays correctional officers only $10 to $12 an hour while correctional officers in Arizona state prisons earn $18 to $20 an hour, said Chuck Foy, executive director of the Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association. The Phoenix-based union has about 3,500 members.

CCA officials could not be reached for comment.

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UPDATE: 11:00 a.m. 12/19/09
    The House has passed S1001 by a 32-22 vote.
    It now goes to Gov. Jan Brewer. Her spokesman said she is likely to sign the bill, but won’t do so until early next week, after her staff has had a chance to comb through the legislation.

______________________________________________________________________________

    Update (12/18/09 - 1615 hrs) - The House of Representatives this afternoon (12/18), attempted to pass it's own version of, HB2001, with pretty much the same cuts contained in the Senate Bill, SB1001.  Doing some quick math, It appears the total sweep of funds from DOC is right at $6 million, not the original report - see above - of $2.9 million.  This is really interesting though, "Reverts to the state General Fund $11,000,000 of the $16,064,100 appropriation to the Department of Corrections (DOC) in FY 2009-2010 for the lease-purchase payment associated with 4,000 new state prison beds."  It would appear that some of the private beds this year will not come about.  AND, the House will be returning tomorrow morning at 9:00 to try and get final passage as there were not enough votes today (they have to get to 31 and with all Democrats voting against the cuts, the Republicans did not have enough members present to pass the bill.  It could still fall apart tomorrow if less than 31 Republicans show up.
    Today's votes were as they were yesterday, along party lines.  More as it becomes available.

______________________________________________________________________________

The Arizona State Senate, in the 5th special session of this year, passed out SB1001 during the early evening hours on 12/17.  The bill swept and cut nearly $200 million from a multitude of agencies, including DOC (about $2.9 million from various programs and sources - along with a cut in the amount to spend on private beds - numbers not clear).  The vote was along straight party lines.
    The bill now goes to the House for consideration on 12/18 - we'll see if it gets amended there.  The Senate will reconvene this Saturday morning 12/19 in day 3 of the special session to consider final passage.
    We are unsure at this time if any of the DOC funding will be restored.
    More as it becomes available.
    Chuck Foy

Sale of state prisons running into wall of opposition

By Jim Small - jim.small@azcapitoltimes.com
Published: December 14, 2009 at 7:45 am
When lawmakers chose April Fool’s Day as the deadline to submit a plan to privatize the state’s prison system, they unwittingly telegraphed just how dubious the plan was.
First, the whole idea of putting state prisons under private control was a difficult sell to the public. Then there was a question about how many of the state’s 10 prisons to auction off. After that, several of the largest private prison operators made it clear that they weren’t interested in buying the prisons.
But now it’s clear that the $100 million asking price for the prisons was the most specious aspect. The plan from the beginning was part of the Legislature’s scramble to fill a gap in the state’s budget and thus avoid Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposed sales-tax increase.
Last month, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee announced the $100 million was not feasible.

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