For DOC Teamsters, here is an update on the status of our 2021-2023 collective bargaining agreement.

During contract negotiations last summer, we determined the DOC had likely violated State labor law when it tried to impose a one-size-fits-all solution to the economic crisis. Rather than consider the unique nature of our contract as it compares to other unions, the State was making the same cookie-cutter proposals to all state employee unions.

As a result, we filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) alleging the State had engaged in bad-faith bargaining. Our Union's legal team will present our case over the ULP in a hearing before a PERC examiner on May 27-28.

While we are waiting for a resolution to the ULP, it's important to remember that our DOC contract will remain unchanged or "status quo" until we either reach an agreement with DOC or receive the interest arbitrator’s award. That means you have seen no across-the-board agreement to one day per month furloughs as many other state employees have. 

No matter how the ULP is resolved, we anticipate we will return to the bargaining table after the hearing and resume negotiations over our 2021-2023 contract. If we are unable to reach an agreement, an interest arbitration hearing has been scheduled for August 23-27.

With bargaining expected to resume in the coming months, we are closely monitoring State budget projections, which are now much more encouraging than they were at this time last year. 

If you have questions, please reach out to your Union Representative. Thank you for your extraordinary service to our communities during this challenging time.