I would like to start by thanking everyone for their continued support; without you, we can achieve nothing. There have been many things going on within your union, and I wanted to take a minute to give you an update. I would like to start with the March Primary election. In accordance with the DSABC Constitution, our PAC committee has interviewed candidates for various offices and has made their recommendations to the Executive Board for formal endorsements. The following list comprises our official endorsements:
COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT 2
Delicia Herrera
COUNTY COMMISSIONER PCT 4
Tommy Adkisson
JUSTICE OF PEACE PCT4
Avery Walker
GOVERNOR
Kay Bailey Hutchinson
4th Court of Appeals
Rebecca Martinez
DISTRICT COURTS
37th
David Berchelman
45th Barbara Nellmore
57th Antonio Arteaga
144th Catherine Torres Stahl
150th Janet Littlejohn
186th Tessa Herr
224th Gloria Saldana
225th Peter Sakai
226th Sid Harle
227th Phil Kazen
288th Tina Torres
436th Lisa Jarrett
437th Lori Valenzuela
COUNTY COURTS
CC1 Alfonso Alonzo Jr.
CC2 Paul Canales
CC3 David Rodriguez
CC4 Sarah Garrahan-Moulder
CC5 Linda Penn
CC6 Ray Olivarri
CC7 Deborah Sandheinrich
CC8 Karen Crouch
CC9 Laura Salinas
CC10 Irene Rios
CC11 Jo Ann Dehoyos
CC12 Michael Mery
CC13 Monica Gonzales
CC14 Ernest Acevedo
CC15 Michael LaHood
PROBATE COURT 1
Polly Jackson Spencer
As one can see, there are many candidates for many different offices that have received our official endorsement. We understand that there are members that may not agree with some of our endorsements. Please keep in mind that we follow a process that is outlined in our Constitution to issue endorsements. Also, all of our endorsements are business decisions that are made after careful review and discussion.
It should go without saying that our biggest race is that of Bexar County Commissioner Pct 2. In the last Pct. 2 election, the DSABC endorsed a former city councilman who was ill (now deceased) and lost by just over 500 votes. Mind you, at that time, DSABC and LEO were split. The DSABC was the only group making the endorsement for the former councilman. LEO, SAPOA, SAPFFA, and many other labor organizations endorsed Paul Elizondo. Mr. Elizondo no longer has the support of these organizations. We are now united as a public safety group that has formally endorsed Delicia. Remember, he only won by just over 500 votes – keep that in mind. There were over 250 members who reside in Pct. 2 that didn’t vote.
Every one of us has influence over at least 10 people. It is imperative that each and every one of us votes and encourages our friends and family members to also vote for Delicia, Ladies and Gentlemen, this DIRECTLY EFFECTS YOU! This is a necessary call to arms. Early voting started today and ends on 02/26/10. The Primary election is 03/02/10. We need each and every one of you to get your families and friends motivated. This can literally mean the difference between a good contract and a poor contract as Mr. Elizondo not only controls the county budget but has made it very clear that he cares not about the BCSO or its staff. Please vote. Also, we need volunteers to help with block walking / poll work. Volunteers need call the DSABC office and place your name on a volunteer list. Please do not take the attitude that this does not affect you – it absolutely does! Together, we can get this tyrant thrown out of office for once and for all.
Today was a collective bargaining day. With the assistance of a federal mediator it appears, and I am cautiously optimistic, that we are starting to make a bit of headway. I say this because the County stated, through their negotiator, that they want to start moving this along. They are interested in grouping articles that are of importance to them with articles that are of importance to us. In other words, they are now realizing that collective bargaining is not one sided but instead, a give and take process. As I said, I am cautiously optimistic that we may start to move forward very soon.
On the other hand, many have been calling me and it seems that the primary focus that I hear from the membership is about pay. I realize that this has been a long process – we said that it would be from the beginning. Ladies and gentlemen, our position is we can get you a contract at any time – it just won’t be a good one if we rush it. The DSABC Board of Directors has committed to getting the best possible contract for our members. We all want a raise but we have other major points that we are working on, in addition to pay, that are of equal importance. These are job protections and insurance. Though it looks as if we may start moving forward, we want to take whatever time is necessary to review any proposals to ensure that we do not agree to anything that could potentially be detrimental to our membership. Please try to understand this and please know that we are working steady to look out for every one of you.
As always, there have been many rumors floating around. One that was brought to my attention is that the DSABC is intending to eliminate night differential – I have no idea where these rumors start but let me assure you this is crap. We never proposed this and I do not believe we ever will. If you hear rumors, please call me or another board member to get the facts.
On a final note, there was a lot of concern in detention that officers were going to be held over in mass in order for shake downs to be conducted. The collective bargaining agreement allows for members to be held over but only until their relief arrives. This was put in the contract to allow a shift commander to cover a post in the event that a relief officer was running late or (under rare circumstances) no relief was available. It was never intended as a tool to supplement the shift in order to allow a shift commander to conduct shake downs.
I brought this to the attention of Deputy Chief Dovalina who assured me he was going to research this. Chief Dovalina stated to the Vice-President and I that if that is what the contract says he will stop this practice. I have yet to hear back from his so I will ask that if any one of you are held over, after today, so that a shakedown can be conducted, to please contact me.
Perry Hyden, President
