Talking About the Profession
In workshops attended by all 420 AFSCME members at the ACU Congress, corrections workers had a chance to talk to each other about what they need from their employers in order to do their jobs in a professional fashion.
These discussions were a part of the Professional Standards Project, an ACU program which will result in a set of guidelines for fostering professionalism at correctional facilities. Comments made in these discussions will play a significant role in the assembly of these guidelines.
Inside the workshops, members discussed, among other topics, their employers’ expectations that they show up on time and alert, follow policies and procedures, and be honest, firm and fair. They discussed how these subjects have to be linked with their employers’ frequent failure to provide them with the things they need to perform their jobs well, such as decent wages and benefits, collective bargaining, adequate staffing levels, clear policies and procedures, consistent enforcement of rules, appropriate training and equipment, and good communications. They talked as well about things that would enhance the job, but weren’t related to the top issues of safety and security, like employee assistance programs, workforce development funds, dependent care deductions, and sick leave pools.
"I got good ideas from this workshop," said Steven Amic, president of the corrections policy committee for AFSCME Council 6 and a CO at Minnesota’s St. Cloud Correctional Facility. "I realized that even though you think you’re all different, we all have the same problems — management, dealing with inmates, lack of respect."
The workshops were facilitated by Joseph Marchese, Program Development Specialist for the New York State Division of Parole’s Staff Development Unit. Marchese enjoys a national reputation as a correctional consultant providing technical assistance and training to over 35 states. He has served as President of the International Association of Correctional Training Personnel since 1994.
Marchese structured the workshops around the following three discussion points: How do employees show loyalty to their departments or agencies? In general terms, how can a department or agency earn the loyalty of its employees? What are specific examples of how a department or agency can show loyalty to its employees?
