Why and how FOP works-Ely

While we have seen examples of this at other facilities, FOP has not taken the time to acknowledge these instances in the past. That responsibility falls directly on my shoulders and I apologize for not recognizing the team members for their brilliant actions.

Recently, there were changes instituted at ESP for operations and staffing on Night Shift. Prior to these changes FOP had discussions with the AWO and a couple supervisors. Some of these changes seemed radical, while others meant more work for the officers. FOP’s job is to ensure when changes like this occur, they are done safely and in line with our CBA. Asking officers to do more rounds is not an unreasonable request, however the manner in which they were being asked to do it and the unsafe manner in which the proposed changes were instituted was unreasonable. The hardworking, dedicated staff at ESP did not have a problem with the work, but the safety and security was the problem. Thanks to your equally dedicated and hardworking FOP Trustee Justin Hunt and your Supervisor Representative Matt Roman, I was supplied with the information I needed to make a compelling argument to the Warden. These two brothers did not rest until I was fully prepared to speak on your behalf. When the time came for our conversation, the Warden to her credit was very receptive and after consulting with her AWs, she agreed to put the officers back in the control rooms, move the vans off the yard, and keep the doors secured that were going to be unlocked. She is also working on rescheduling the classes to dayshift, so that there are no inmates out, besides the workers where there is appropriate staffing, after 5pm. Ely staff and the rest of FOP, please join me in thanking Brothers Hunt and Roman of ESP. This is how FOP advocates for its members.