For Immediate Release
Tuesday, November 06, 2001
AFSCME Wins Again; Kentucky's Corrections Unit Employees Want Representation with Union
Corrections, Parole and Probation, Fish and Wildlife, Motor Vehicles Enforcement, and other state law enforcement officers have voted overwhelmingly for union representation today by a 1,284 to 287 margin over no representation. Results were announced by the Kentucky labor department in Frankfort this afternoon.
The corrections unit, which consists of 3,400 workers, is the second group to choose the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), giving the union back-to-back wins. Last month, the state healthcare workers also voted for AFSCME.
AFSCME will represent these employees before the Governor's Advisory Council to negotiate better pay, working conditions and benefits.
"Corrections and other state law enforcement employees now have a voice for making important changes in our work life," said Bob Meade who works at Northpoint Training Center. "We are concerned about low staffing ratios, inadequate pay and affordable family health insurance."
"State workers understand the importance of a unified message," said Carolyn Klinglesmith, Kentucky AFSCME Director. "More than 80% of the corrections unit have responded in a positive way to an experienced union with a record of proven results."
The union expects to win their third election on December 18 when ballots will be counted for state social and employment services workers (unit D). They will receive ballots in the mail on November 27. AFSCME has established organizing committees among the 5,000 employees in this group that includes Social Service Clinicians, Family Support Specialists and Social Service Workers.
AFSCME represents more than 1.3 million workers nationwide including 100,000 social services employees.
