By C1 Staff
LINCOLN, Neb. — After an increase in inmate attacks and years of unresolved issues, a group of state corrections officers have filed petitions to be represented by a new union.
They are seeking representation from the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents corrections employees in other counties, instead of Nebraska Association of Public Employees (NAPE), Omaha World-Herald reported.
Corrections employees at state and youth treatment facilities have been represented by NAPE since 1991. The union represents nearly 10,000 state workers in different fields and is the largest public employee union in the state.
The organizers of the petitions told the publication their concerns and the issues they face have been ignored or are missed because the union represents thousands of employees.
“We want someone who understands us,” corrections Cpl. Carla Jorgens said.
Corrections employees said the lack of step increases has led to severe understaffing in the prisons, which means the remaining officers are forced to work overtime after already having worked 12- to 16-hour shifts.
The workers say last year’s turnover rate (32 percent) contributed to a 57 percent increase in inmate attacks on staff.
A state senator supports the change and said he thinks the employees will be better represented, the publication reported.
“When you’re lumped together with other job descriptions and job categories, your particular needs may or may not be represented,” Sen. Bob Krist said.
The petitions will be presented to the Nebraska Commission of Industrial Relations, which would then call for an election to switch unions.