I suppose we shouldn't be surprised that the prison guards union is the only union in state government that has refused to settle. Twenty other bargaining units have contracts, but the prison guards refuse to compromise. It has to be their way or no way.
Now the guards union has walked out of mediation -- not exactly an indication the guards want to settle. Guards spokesman Lance Corcoran called the mediation process "idiotic" and "stupid," according to this editorial in today's Bee. Union President Mike Jimenez of Fresno said the state can "shove it." That's you and me, folks.
Wouldn't it be nice if the guards union treated the people who pay their salaries with a little more respect?
Why don't we just base their pay on the recitivism rates they generate.a merit-based system that rewards rehababilitation. we're tired of the damaged souls coming out of their gulags, and taking it out on society.
That looks like a good idea. After all, they keep insisting they would rather be called "correctional officers" rather than prison guards. So why not base their pay on how good a job they do in correcting the inmates placed under their care?
Most of the time I don't agree with the prison guard union, but I have to remind you that the prison guards are tax payers too. The people that really need to show the tax payers some respect are state politicians who allowed it to get this way.