Lee County Sheriff's Office

NEWS

November 17 & 18, 2009 the Lee County Sheriff's Office Deputies, Corporals, and Detectives from the Law Enforcement Bureau voted on whether or not to have collective bargaining contract with the Sheriff through the PBA.  The final vote was 200 (no union) and 158 (for union). Defeated by a narrow margin of 42.  32 LCSO members did not vote.    

November 24, 2009 - Brian Gregory met with the Sheriff to discuss the issues that the Sheriff stated he was not aware of.

December 4, 2009 -  A list of issues and concerns, compiled from everyone in the agency that provided input, was presented to the Sheriff.

December 15, 2009 - The Sheriff responsed to the issues and concerns outlined in the December 4, 2009 letter.  Many of the issues were not accurately addressed or answered.  One of the items presented to the Sheriff for consideration:

1.  “Maybe a revolving committee could be developed that would have direct communication with the Sheriff should the employees’ questions go unanswered by their chain of command”

2.  "Not all open positions are advertised as directed in the Civil Service Act (7 days) per line 244 of the Act."

The Sheriff’s responses:

1.  “I like the idea of a revolving committee that would be selected by the membership at large and reflect a wide diversity of our agency. This committee could meet with me and the Executive Command Staff monthly and tell us the good and bad that they are seeing and hearing.”

2.  "I have reviewed the Act and agree with you that all open positions should be advertised, and I also agree that in nearly every case there would be no reason not to. Of course – I can recall a few in recent times like Mike Warner in Aviation who had such a vast expertise in such a critical and specialized field that we direct hired him to Aviation. Like eliminating Sgt.’s from the oral boards, I can easily ensure that all openings are advertised."

As of March 22, 2010 there has been no further discussions of creating or implementing the committee concept.  There have also been countless positions in which people were transferred to without all eligible agency members being allowed to apply.  In summary, it appears the items presented to the Sheriff on your behalf have fallen on deaf ears.  Who is looking out for your interests and answering your concerns? 

March 22, 2010 - Brian Gregory sent a letter to the Sheriff, via chain of command, stating the agency was not complying with the Fair Labor Standards Act and could be potentially facing a Federal Labor lawsuit.

March 30, 2010 - Sheriff Mike Scott presented a budget update to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).  In it he annouced the proposed medical benefit changes for future employees, proposed reduction of 45-50 employees (through attrition), and he managed to reduce the 09/10 budget by 2.55%.  That equates to roughly $4,080,000.  Yes, they found another $4 million in this years budget but cannot afford to give the Deputies a raise.  That on top of the $4,768,716 he returned in the 08/09 budget.  To watch the video presentation click here.  In the right search pane titled "All Meetings By Date" select "Special Meetings" then "03/30/2010" from the drop downs.  The screen will refresh and select "Watch Video".

On April 6, 2010 Chief Homan responsed to the question/concern of how comp time is documented at the LCSO.  Please click on the link to view the response.  Comp time letter.  This is another example of how the members have attempted to express what is suppose to be done according to policy and how things are really being done.  The   Administration is out of touch with it's workforce.

If you are a PBA member, have accrued overtime in the pay period, and not received compensation for that time within the same pay period please contact Kevin Calderone, Brian Gregory, or Cecil Pendergrass.

As we continue to read and hear about the legislators attacking our pension benefits (which are directed by Florida State Statutes not agency policy and procedures) you should keep in mind without a bargaining contract your medical benefits are not guranteed after 15 years of service with LCSO.  YOUR MEDICAL BENEFITS CAN DISAPPEAR TOMORROW IF IT IS THE DESIRE OF THE SHERIFF.  Is that a risk you are willing to take? Policy can be changed within minutes with the stroke of a pen.  Just look at what the legislators have been continuing to attack as cost savings measures.

LE Sergeants and Corrections members

If there is anyone in the Sergeant or Corrections rank interested in starting the process of securing a collective bargaining contract please use the feedback form on this website to express your interest.  We will provide running results so that the groups can see how much interest is out there among their peers.  You need to come togehter as a group to get your concerns expressed through collective bargaining.  It has become more evident now than ever that the cocerns of the members at the Lee County Sheriff's Office are not being addressed.  Your groups are eligible immediately to begin the process of voting on a collective bargaining contract.

Governor Crist signs HB 1249 into law (click on link)

Lee County Sheriff's Office: Provides that sheriff has burden of proving just cause in appeal of disciplinary action; provides that certain retirement health insurance benefits shall not be available to employees commencing employment after specified date.

This is proof that anything can be changed without your input or voice being heard!