For Immediate Release
Saturday, August 20, 2005
AFSCME Calls for Wayne "Cotton" Morgan Safety Legislation
$10,000 Donation Made to Memorial Fund
Washington —AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee called for new federal corrections safety legislation today in honor of Wayne "Cotton" Morgan, a Tennessee officer who was shot and killed Tuesday, August 9 — a death that may have been prevented if the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) had provided him with an appropriate bullet proof vest.
McEntee made the announcement to Morgan's widow and son and more than 250 corrections officers during the 7th National AFSCME Corrections United conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque.
"It is unconscionable that a man's life may have been saved if he'd be provided with the required safety equipment," McEntee said. "In memory of Cotton and all the other fallen officers, I call on Congress to pass legislation that would require states to provide lifesaving body armor that corrections officers need to protect themselves and our communities."
Although the Tennessee Department of Corrections Administrative Policies and Procedures memo 506.7 dated October 1, 2003 requires that fitted vests be provided to specific individuals — including those assigned to transportation duty — Officer Morgan's repeated requests for a fitted vest were denied.
In a letter sent Thursday, August 18 to the Warden of the Brushy Mountain Correctional Complex, William Schillings, President of AFSCME Local 2173, wrote "What troubles me is that in the past, requests [for safety vests]...have repeatedly been turned down citing a lack of funds...we respectfully request that you document in writing to us when our officers will actually receive appropriate body armor..."
In honor of Cotton Morgan, AFSCME reached out to three members of Congress who have a record of working on issues important to corrections officers. Representatives Bart Stupak (D-MI), Ted Strickland (D-OH) and Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN) have all agreed to work with AFSCME to draft legislation that would provide corrections officers in high risk prisons or who have transportation duty with the body armor they need to do their jobs.
Officer Morgan, treasurer of AFSCME Local 2173, was gunned down while transporting prison inmate George Hyatte from the main courthouse in Kingston, Tennessee back to the Brushy Mountain Correction Complex in Petros, Tennessee.
Text of letter from AFSCME Local 2173 President William Schillings to Warden of Brushy Mountain
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is one of the fastest growing unions in America, with 1.4 million members. AFSCME organizes for social and economic justice in the workplace and through political action and legislative advocacy. AFSCME represents a diverse group of service and health care workers in the public and private sectors including nurses, EMTs, bus drivers, child care workers, custodians and librarians.
