The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the union that represents its correctional officers agree on two things: Maryland's prison system has a staffing shortage, and correctional officers work too much overtime to make up the deficits.
While corrections officials said they're trying to fill the vacancies, the union warns that it's not happening fast enough — and between burnout and upcoming retirements, the situation could get worse. "We're in pretty rough shape," said Chris Duffy, president of Local 1772 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, part of AFSCME Maryland, which represents correctional officers at the prison complex south of Hagerstown. What's really needed is more officers, the union said. On today's labor calendar, catch the Fritz/Kocur duo on Labor Live@5 at 5pm today here on WPFW, featuring local jazz musicians Patrick Fritz and John Kocur. Complete details on our website at dclabor.org, click on Calendar. Here’s today's labor history: On this date in 1936, the Triborough Bridge opened in New York City after seven years of labor by as many as 2,800 construction workers. Construction began on Black Friday, 1929, and New Deal money turned it into one of the largest public works projects of the Great Depression. Today’s labor quote is by former President Jimmy Carter, who said "Every advance in this half-century--Social Security, civil rights, Medicare, aid to education, one after another--came with the support and leadership of American Labor." Union City Radio is supported by UnionPlus, which is committed to improving the quality of life for all working families; find out more at unionplus.org.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Union City Radio is proud to be supported by UnionPlus, which has been working hard for union families since 1986.
Union City Radio is part of The Labor Radio/Podcast Network
Listen now...UC Radio airs weekdays at 7:15a on WPFW 89.3 FM; subscribe to the podcast here. |