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Public Employee News
State employee pay plan update
Take nothing for granted. That's the advice MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver gives to state employees when talking about the state employee pay plan increase. "We're pleased that Governor Judy Martz has included the negotiated pay plan increase in her budget, but we aren't taking anything for granted. This legislature, especially with so many new legislators, needs to hear from our members."
The pay plan agreement has been incorporated into HB 13. The chief sponsor is Representative Dave Lewis, former budget director for Governor Racicot. The bill will be heard by the House Appropriations Committee.
Jim McGarvey, MEA-MFT Vice President, said, "Every member of the House Appropriations Committee needs a stack of letters and e-mails urging support for HB 13. Committee members need to hear that our dedicated state employees are struggling, and that HB 13 is essential to Montana's ability to maintain quality public services."
To write or e-mail committee members, remember these tips: Address each letter or e-mail to one committee member. Talk about how the pay increase, and inadequate state pay, affects you and your family. Ask the legislator to support HB 13, the MEA-MFT and MPEA negotiated agreement.
DOR tracks legislature
MEA-MFT members in the Montana Department of Revenue have formed a legislative committee to track bills that affect department processes and employees. "The committee is a good model for state employee locals," said MEA-MFT Field Consultant Stacy Cummings. Members of the committee include Elaine Jaraczeski,
Kathy Otto, and Pete Fontana. They will testify on behalf of the local union on various bills throughout the session and report back to the local's executive board.
Your MSP colleagues
Everyone recognizes the importance of correctional officers at Montana State Prison. But few people realize the important role other employees play in keeping the prison safe and secure.
In fact, the Montana State Prison employs 200 non-correctional workers. These MEA-MFT members range from kitchen staff to counselors, maintenance staff to teachers. All are professionally trained in correctional facility security issues as well as their own areas of expertise.
Certified teachers prepare inmates for jobs after their release. Maintenance staff such as bricklayers, operating engineers, heavy equipment operators, carpenters, and refrigeration specialists keep the prison functioning and train inmates for a variety of jobs. Chemical dependency and mental health professionals help inmates with rehabilitation.
Nursing staff members tend to everything from minor injuries to emergencies that rival the TV hit show "ER." Nurses also provide long-term care for aging inmates - all under tight budgets.
All of these occupations are essential to providing the necessary custody, security, and operation at the prison. Next time you drive past Deer Lodge, give a salute to your fellow MEA-MFT members who are working to keep Montana safe through their work at the state prison.
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