All Teamster correctional employees will receive no less than 10.5% over the biennium.

Funding must still be approved by the state legislature.

View a complete contract summary with salary schedule here.

I have some good news to report! Today we received our interest arbitration award from Arbitrator Howell Lankford impacting your compensation for the 2017-2019 biennium.

All Teamster correctional employees will receive no less than 10.5% over the biennium if funding is approved by the legislature. The award calls for a 4.5% increase effective July 1, 2017; a 3% increase effective July 1, 2018; and a 3% increase effective January 1, 2019 for nearly all classifications. Several classifications will also receive range increases.

This award shows the enormous value of having interest arbitration. Your wage increase will be 4.5% higher than general government employees and 6.5% higher than the State’s final offer at the bargaining table.

In addition, the arbitrator has awarded the following:

• RN2s, RN3s, and PA/ARNPs will receive a 10-range increase over the biennium;
• Dentists will receive a 4-range increase over the biennium;
• ERT, SERT, IRT, CNT, CISM team members will receive a two-range premium when activated;
• COs will receive a two-range premium in BFOQ positions in facilities that assign significantly more overtime to female officers than male officers;
• The basic shift premium has increased to $1.00 per hour for all hours worked;
• The nurses supplemental shift premium is extended to CNAs and MAs.

Finally, we agreed with the State on several range increases during negotiations, which can be viewed here.  The improved vacation schedule will also be a part of the contract.

If the Office of Financial Management (OFM) determines that the award is financially feasible, it will be included in the Governor’s budget. At that point, the legislature will decide whether or not to fund our contract.

We need to stand together as Teamsters to call on the legislature to recognize the important public safety service we provide to the community. Our DOC Lobby Day event on February 13-14 is an excellent opportunity for us to do just that. We will be sending an email out soon with information about the event.

Thank you to everyone who worked so tirelessly throughout the contract negotiations process. Our bargaining committee deserves enormous praise for their fortitude, hard work, and professionalism.

I am especially proud that our team was able to negotiate interest arbitration rights into our contract.  We will benefit from having access to these rights for years to come.

You can view the arbitrator’s complete award here.

Thank you for your outstanding service to our communities.

Please stay safe.

-Michelle Woodrow,
Local 117 President and Director of Corrections and Law Enforcement