| Bryan Lowry giving speech at Leg Week March |
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| View more pics of Leg Wk Oct. 09 click council pict link on the left ,click on link under camera |
| Bryan Lowry and John Gage during march at Leg Week |
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| View more pics of Leg Wk Oct. 09 click council pict link on the left ,click on link under camera |
Members,
The Council of Prison
Locals held a CPL Legislative Action Event and informational/memorial ceremony in Washington, D.C. on October 13th and
14th, 2009 in order to educate members of Congress on the critical situation inside the nation’s federal prisons.
Also to pay tribute to all of the fallen officer's who have given their lives in the line of duty for our profession, as well
as those who have been assaulted in performance of those same duties who have and continue to serve our Nation
with Honor and Pride! The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) /Council of Prison Locals (CPL) was seeking
full staffing and funding, responsible stab resistant vests issuances, individual carry less lethal equipment authorizations, and
the continuation of the Federal Prison Industries Program successfully throughout the BOP to properly secure the nation’s
prisons.
A congressional Reception
was held on the evening of October 13th in the Rayburn Congressional Building. This event was attended by the
following Congresspersons and /or their staff.
1. Rep. John Hall (D-NY) and staffer
2. Rep. Howard
Coble
(R-NC)
3. Rep. Ralph
Hall (R-TX)
and 4 staffers
4. John Pruett, staffer for Rep. Gene Green (D-TX)
5. John Hennemenn, staffer for
Rep. Walter Minnick (D-ID)
6. Joseph Harris, Legislative
Counsel for Rep. John Spratt (D-SC)
7. Jesselyn McCurdy and Joseph
Graupensperger, House Judiciary
Subcommittee
on Crime staff members
8. Two staffers (including Kerry
McKenney, Chief of Staff) for Rep. Donald Payne
(D-NJ)
9. Two staffers for Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR)
10. One staffer for Rep. Elliot Engel
(D-NY)
11. One staffer for Sen. Charles
Schumer
(D-NY)
12. Christen, staffer for Sen Roland Burris (D-IL)
This was one of the most
successful reception events held by AFGE/CPL. More Congressional Members attended this event, then the event that was
held by AFGE in February 2009.
On Wednesday, October
14, 2009 the Council of Prison Locals held a memorial ceremony during lunch on the West Side of the U.S. Capitol in
Washington, D.C. as part of the informative two-day legislative push. Our representative Locals organized to educate
and lay a general foundation of the issues correctional workers are faced with on a daily basis. Information was distributed
to all Senate and Congressional Offices, and well as the various Committee Offices regarding judiciary and appropriation
issues.
This event was attended
by approximately 100 Union activists, and also attended by AFGE Staff from headquarters. Although we view this as a
successful event, we have to continue to pursue our legislative agenda day in and day out.
We will continue to keep
you notified regarding on current funding initiatives, as well as all initiatives involving unicor, and protective equipment.
We will ask that each
Local consider participating in AFGE"s Legislative Conference in February. Please check the online calendar for all
updated scheduled event's for 2010.
We are planning to hold
the type of conference annually, and hope to build on this effort to make it more successful to our mission to ensure
Prison Safety!
I want to thank AFGE's
Political Action Department, Legislative Department,
Communication's Department and
their Staff for their effort and assistance
to us in helping make
this successful!
Pictures of the event
are available on the cpl33.info site.
In Unity!
Bryan Lowry
update 9-9-09
CPL 33 Members,
The CPL 33 and AFGE Conventions for 2009 have now come
and gone. The last two weeks in Reno were very long and grueling. It was good to finally get home after 14 days
on the road. I returned home on Saturday, August 29, 2009. I Tried to catch up on some family time and rest for
the remainder of the weekend. Monday, August 31, I worked out of the Council Office trying to clear up some pressing
matters, and assist several locals with various stages of complaint processes. Tuesday, September
1, I traveled to FDC-Houston to finalize preparation for continuation of a removal arbitration. Arbitration was
scheduled to resume on September 2nd and 3rd. We finished the case on September
2, and now are waiting on finalized transcripts and will then draft the closing brief for submission.
CPL Elections
I want to Thank everyone of you for the confidence and
support you have shown me for the last 4 years as your President of the Council of Prison Locals! I consider it a privilege
to continue to serve you for the next 2 years! Winning by acclamation is a honor, and I pledge that although we are
facing many challenges, that I will serve you tirelessly and will fight to bring further respectability to this
Council and to You for the work and effort you give everyday!
I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of
the Council Officers elected during this years CPL Convention. I look forward to continuing to work with each of them!
All prior term officers remained in office for the next two years except Mike Coyle - NCRVP, who retired from the Bureau of
Prisons effective immediately after the Convention. Mike Coyle will truly be missed by all he served and represented.
Mike was an all around great guy who had a passion to uphold the integrity of the contract at both the Local and Council level.
Mike was not only a die-hard advocate, he was also a true friend to all of those who took the opportunity to get to know him
as a person. Mike Rule will now take the reins as the new North Central Regional Vice President. Mike has been a strong advocate for many
years as a local leader at MCC-Chicago. I want to take this opportunity to welcome Mike aboard, and say that I believe
Mike brings a very proven track record of success to your Council E-Board, and I believe he will work very hard for those
he will serve! Your Council E-Board for the next 2 years will be as follows.
Bryan Lowry - President
Roger Payne - National Sec/Tres
Michael Castelle - National Fair Practices Coordinator
Tim DeBolt - WRVP
Dale Deshotel - SCRVP
Bill Gillette - NERVP
Dwayne Person - MARVP
Mike Rule -
NCRVP
Eric Young - SERVP
Many issues were discussed and approved at the Convention this
year. We are waiting on the transcript from the recorder in order to review all approved constitutional changes and
new business as voted on by the delegates. Once it is sorted out, it will then be sent to AFGE for approval by the GCO.
We also held a Complex Leadership Meeting on two consecutive
days. Minutes were taken regarding ideas, suggestions, and direction. I am putting out an overview this week regarding
input received from local leaders who attended the meeting.
Website
We had many discussions during the CPL Convention on how to
maximize communication more effectively using the website. We received a lot of great input, and will take several measures
to enhance our websites effectiveness. Please continue to report all incidents that occur at your institutions daily.
Please continue to report all new policy, pilot, and initiative changes to your RVP.
We also would like to begin tracking all grievance and ulp complaints
filed in each local, to include what stage it is in. Once a decision is rendered, we would like to post all successes
on the website for future reference.
AFGE Convention
AFGE held its tri-annual convention the week of August 22 -28,
2009. I would like to congratulate the following National Officer's elected!
John Gage -
AFGE National President
J. David Cox - AFGE National
Sec/Tres.
Augusta Thomas - National Vice President Women's Fair Practices
The fight regarding increased per capita was a long and
grueling battle. Delegates wanting a zero per capita increase to those willing to increase to the requested
amount of $4.50 per member per month as part of the Options 2009 committee recommendation fought long and hard in this battle.
Many proposals were brought to the floor and voted on by the delegates. In the end the following per capita increase
was approved.
Effective January 2010 - $2.00 per member per month
January 2011 - $.0 increase
January 2012 - increased $ .25 per member per month
After the Convention was called to closed the AFGE National
Officer's held a (NEC) National Executive Council Meeting. Per the AFGE Constitutional Article XXIV sec. 4 (a)the
NEC can assess locals $.25 cents a month for a maximum of 4 months per year for legislative and promotional purposes.
These National Officer's passed this assessment without regard to the Convention Delegates hard fought battle over per capita
for the reminder of the 4 month period of this year. Many of us are appalled over this decision, and view this as total
disrespect of the process. Many leaders have stated this is the first time this assessment has ever been initiated.
A representative from another agency told me that she had heard one of the National Officer's state that if AFGE did
not get the per capita increase they were looking for passed, they were going to assess this constitutional allowance.
I am drafting a letter to National President John Gage for a
reconsideration. I am asking each of you who agree to do the same through your National Vice President of your respective
district. Mike Kelly(9th), Jane Nygard (8th), Gerald Swanke (11th), and Derrick Thomas (2nd), were not present at that
meeting, however, their vote has to be recorded.
In closing
Please continue to make legislative contacts. Together,
United, we will see change through our diligent efforts! Hopefully partnership is right around the corner!
In Unity!
Bryan Lowry
President's,
The Cpl and AFGE Conventions 09 have now come and gone. The last two weeks in Reno were very long and grueling.
It was good to finally get home after 14 days on the road. I returned home on Saturday, August 29, 2009. Tried
to catch up on some family time and rest for the remainder of the weekend. Monday, August 31, I would out of the Council
Office trying to clear up some pressing matters, and assist several locals with various stages of complaint processes.
Tuesday, September 1, I traveled to FDC-Houston to finalize preparation for continuation of a removal arbitration. I
am scheduled to be in arbitration on the 2nd and 3rd. We should complete the case no later then Thursday, we only have
3 to 4 witnesses remaining.
CPL Elections
I want to Thank each and everyone of you for the confidence and support you have shown me for the last 4 years as your
President of the Council of Prison Locals! I consider it a privilege to continue to serve you for the next 2 years!
Winning by acclamation is a honor, and I pledge that although we are facing many challenges, that I pledge to serve you tirelessly
and will fight to bring further respectability to this Council and to You for the work and effort you give everyday to
and for your membership!
I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate all of the Council Officers elected during this years CPL Convention.
I look forward to continuing to work with each of them! All prior term officers remained in office for the next two
years except Mike Coyle - NCRVP, who retired from the Bureau of Prisons effective immediately after the Convention.
Mike Coyle will truly be missed by all he served and represented. Mike was an all around great guy who had a passion
to uphold the integrity of the contract at both the Local and Council level. Mike was not only a die-hard advocate,
he was also a true friend to all of those who took the opportunity to get to know him as a person. Mike Rule will now
take the reins as the New North Central Regional Vice President. Mike has been a strong advocate for many years as a
local leader at MCC-Chicago. I want to take this opportunity to welcome Mike aboard, and say that I believe Mike brings
a very proven track record of success to your Council E-Board, and I believe will work very hard for those he will serve!
Your Council E-Board for the next 2 years will be as follows.
Bryan Lowry - President
Roger Payne - National Sec/Tres
Michael Castelle - National Fair Practices Coordinator
Tim DeBolt - WRVP
Dale Deshotel - SCRVP
Bill Gillette - NERVP
Dwayne Person - MARVP
Mike Rule - NCRVP
Eric Young - SERVP
Many issues were discussed and approved at the Convention this year. We are waiting on the transcript from the
recorder in order to review all approved constitutional changes and new business as voted on by the delegates. Once
it is sorted out, it will then be sent to AFGE for approval by the GCO.
We also held a Complex Leadership Meeting on two consecutive days. Minutes were taken regarding ideas, suggestions,
and direction. I am putting these together this week and will ensure each of the Council Officer's input is included
as well as to better serve those representing institutions with shared services. I apologize for the delay in getting
this out, but should be able to have this ready by the end of the week. I will create a list of all complex president's
for idea sharing. I do have some local agreements from Allenwood that they agreed I could pass along to each of
you. Please send any others to your RVP, and we will share those as well.
Website
We had many discussions with you during the CPL Convention on how to maximize communication more effectively. We
received a lot of great input, and will take several measures to enhance our websites effectiveness. Please continue
to report all incidents that occur at your institutions daily. Please continue to report all new policy, pilot, and
initiative changes to your RVP.
We also would like to begin tracking all grievance and ulp complaints filed in each local, to include what stage it is
in. Once a decision is rendered, we would like to post all successes on the website for future reference.
AFGE Convention
AFGE held it tri-annual convention last week as well. I would like to congratulate the following National Officer's
elected!
John Gage - AFGE National President
J. David Cox - AFGE National Sec/Tres.
Augusta Thomas - National Vice President Women's Fair Practices
The fight regarding increased per capita was a long and grueling battle. Delegates wanting zero per
capita increase to those willing to increase to the requested amount of $4.50 per member per month as part of the Options
2009 committee recommendation fought long and hard in this battle. Many proposals were brought to the floor and voted
on by the delegates. In the end the following per capita increase was approved.
Effective January 2010 - $2.00 per member per month
January 2011 - continued $ 2.00 per member per month
January 2012 - increased $ 2.25 per member per month
After the Convention was called to closed the NEC, your AFGE National Officer's, and your AFGE National Vice President's
of your districts held a NEC Meeting. Per the AFGE Constitutional the NEC can assess locals $.25 cents a month for a
maximum of 4 months per year for legislative purposes. These National Officer's past this assessment without regard
to the Convention Delegates hard fought battle over per capita for the reminder of the 4 month period of this year.
Many of us are appalled over this decision, and view this as total disrespect to our process. Many leaders have stated
this is the first time this assessment has ever been initiated. A representative from another agency told me yesterday
that she had heard one of the National Officer's stated that if AFGE did not get the per capita increase they were looking
for past, they were going to assess this constitutional allowance.
I am drafting a letter to National President John Gage for a reconsideration. I am asking each of you who agree
to do the same through your National Vice President of your respective district. Mike Kelly(9th), Jane Nygard (8th),
Gerald Swanke (11th), and Derrick Thomas (2nd), were not present at that meeting, however, their vote has to be recorded.
In closing
Please continue to make legislative contacts. Together, United, we will see change through our diligent efforts!
Hopefully partnership is right around the corner!
In Unity!
Bryan Lowry
**UPDATE: 3/6/2009***
FLSA
We have continued open conversation with LMR over this issue over the past several months. As of my last report
to you in January 09, the Agency had agreed to have the payout information completed and begin processing payments in February
09. Although February has now come and gone, this week while in D.C. I continued dialect with the Agency on this matter,
and the fact that they committed to begin processing payments on the noted month.
I was told this morning that they are in fact working on the calculations, and that the only minor setup was those employed
in Unicor due to non-appropriated funding, but that it should be cleared up shortly. The earlier numbers I had on who
was going to be payed and who was entitled was under 1000 employee's. Today, I was told that as many as 2500 would receive
payment.
Months ago the Agency had stated that the earlier hold up in payment settlement with the affected employee's was with
NFC, and their commitment to commit to dates to begin processing. At that time the Agency stated that since this issue
had been settled and it had prolonged they would do this in-house.
As of this mornings conversation with Central Office, I was told that a employee's entitled to payment would begin receiving
them in staggered increments this month. As well it it could begin within the next two weeks.
I understand some of our members frustration regarding this matter, and we apologize for any of the inconveniences.
Hopefully all of the affected employee's will all be payed soon, and that this matter will be resolved!
I will keep everyone posted regarding any changes or further delays.
2009 CPL 33 National
Convention
The Council
of Prison Locals will hold its annual Convention in Reno, Nevada Aug. 19-23, 2009. The 19th and 23rd, will be considered as travel days for most.
AFGE will follow with its National Convention in Reno starting with registration on the Aug.23rd and ending on Aug. 28,
2009.
The Hotel Contract has been completed. We will have a link posted on the Council Website sometime next
week where you can begin reserving your rooms for this years Council Convention. There are different pricing levels
depending on the type of room you are interested in reserving. The rates start at $59 a night and up. This is
a very nice property and we believe they will host a great event!
During the week of AFGE's Convention beginning on Aug. 23 the Council will be moving over to the Convention location.
We have established a contract with the Grand Sierra Resort - (800) 501-2651. This is the
location where AFGE will hold its Convention. Room rates start at $99.00 slightly under the rate available under AFGE's
room block. Please call the number above for the Grand Sierra and ask for the Council of Prison Locals room block.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
In Unity!
Bryan Lowry
2-5-09
FLSA
About 2 months ago the Agency began researching and formulating the FLSA payout for also staff effected. At that
time they stated staff will begin receiving payout in February 2009. During my last conversation with Docia Casillas
in Central Office LMR this matter is on schedule. I will continue to keep each of you posted if anything changes.
Click on the link below to listen to A.F.G.E.'s radio broadcast, "Inside Government"
where myself and Mike Schnobrich, Secretary Treasurer of Local 1302, were interviewed by Ward Morrow. We discussed the
crisis we are facing in the Bureau today. This is another effort by this Council to have our voices heard.
Listen and enjoy.
President Lowry on Inside Govt.
AMERICAN WORKFORCE RADIO INTERVIEW
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