Thursday, August 23, 2018

PAY, OR MAYBE PAYBACK, IS A BITCH

by Bob Walsh

Correctional Officers who worked for the state if Missouri since 2007 just got an award of $113.7 million for unpaid overtime.

The time in question is processing-in and processing out which is done while in close proximity to inmates and when staff are expected to respond to situations as they develop. This includes divesting of personal cell phones and tablets, inventory of equipment and passing information from one shift to the next.

A Labor Department investigation (I don't know if that was federal or state) found significant violations. The DOC and AG disagreed, strenuously.

The lawsuit was filed in 2012. Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce ruled that a contract violation had occurred and ordered the state to cough up. The AG may continue to fight the verdict and judgement.

The lawyers for the C/Os also alleged retaliation against the complainants, an assertion the state denies. The Dept. is currently significantly understaffed and has been for some time.

1 comment:

Trey Rusk said...

Good for the CO's. In most states they have been getting screwed like a hooker for years!