This is according to the DOC's own committee on committees, which estimates at the rate DOC is currently managing by the year 2002 there will be 2,200 committees using up 70,400 staff hours per month. But this same management does not see the value in holding negotiations on work time over the issues that are most central to staff. The union team believes it went the extra mile to get DOC management to end its foot dragging. The union team continued to offer to take the previously offered 14 days of release time. Then, if the contract was not complete within the 14 days, negotiating team members would continue to negotiate on their own time on each weekend until the contract is complete.
Management refuses to negotiate on their weekends.
The union negotiation team will meet with management's team in a mediation session held by the Department of Personnel Labor Relations staff in an attempt to come to agreement. We anticipate this mediation will take place mid-June. In the mean time your concerns over DOC's mismanagement will be heard. Meetings are being set up with the community, legislators and the governor. DOC Contract Action Team members will be contacting all DOC members soon on future actions.