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Welcome to the North Central Regional Webpage

Who is Mike Rule?

Michael Rule is a family man who has is a strong belief and faith in GOD. I was born and raised in a traditional southern Christian house hold. My parents were both born in the state of Mississippi, they were very religious. It was very important to them that I understood the importance of having core values and moral standards that incorporated righteous living through our lord and savior Jesus Christ. I was taught to love and respect everyone, regardless of their ethnicity, choice of religion and personal beliefs. I believe people have a right to live their lives and express their personal beliefs without prejudice. What I really appreciate the most about my parents is they taught me to love God, live a good life, and to work hard and support my family.

This is a very difficult time for working Americans through this struggling and slowly recovering economy. I really understand the frustrations that working people are faced with on a daily basis through our employers, especially when changes are being made constantly that adversely affect working conditions. That’s why I am a “Union activist for Labor”, and someone has to represent the interest of the laborer in the workplace. I am also committed to representing the best interest of workers, and for better treatment from the employer, particularly through the implementation of Labor and Employment Law.“I love people and have a strong passion against anyone that mistreat and disrespect workers in the workplace.”

I was hired by the Bureau of Prisons as a Correctional Officer in June of 1989 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. In January of 1991, I was promoted to the position of General Mechanic Foreman in the Mechanical Services Departments, (this position I currently hold). Prior to my employment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, I was employed by the Indiana Department of Corrections. I worked at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City and the Westville Correctional Center in Westville, Indiana. I also worked for the Illinois Department of Corrections at the Joliet Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois. I have more than 26 years of experience in corrections.

I have dedicated over 25 years of service protecting and representing bargaining unit members of the Union. In September 2009,I was elected to serve on the Council of Prison Local’s Executive Board by the Local membership of the North Central Regional. Before taking this office, I served as the Local President at the Metropolitan Correctional Center Chicago for five (5) years and Vice President for ten (10) years. Ihave also been honored to work as the Fair Practice Coordinator for five (5) years for the North Central Region. My career has been adventurous, enlightening, and sometimes challenging. I enjoy my work as a union activist in the capacity of the North Central Regional Vice President in the Bureau of Prisons.

As the North Central Region Vice President, I have established a team and work force of dedicated individuals who provide support services throughout the Region. Our Region consists of 19 institutions and 6 community correction offices. We also provide services to the training facility in Denver, Colorado and the North Central Regional Office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Our team is comprised of individuals that have the membership’s interest at heart.We have a Women’s Fair Practice Coordinator, Mrs. Sandy Parr who also works as the Deputy for the Union. Sandy works directly with me in assisting the Locals as well as her interaction with Regional Administration and the Central Office.

We have worked collectively with our local leadership in developing a vision for the North Central Region. Through our vision, we have developed a partnership forum and network of communication for our local leaders and membership that fosters a positive labor relationship that is readily available. We are excited about the progress we have made by simply utilizing our resources through a process that enhances our ability to communication, and to provide pertinent information to each other. We have a web site which provides a network of knowledge to our local Presidents and their Executive-boards on a regular basis. We believe knowledge is powerful.

We challenge our Local leaders to take on more ownership and responsibility within the Region than ever before. They are actively involved in making our vision successful. We have representatives from our Region that participate on the National Labor Management Relations (LMR) meetings, subject matter experts that participate in policy negotiations, and policy work groups. We place special emphases on local and national policy negotiation. We have individuals within our Region that are experienced in the entire grievance process. Individuals that can provide assistance and training that will equip other unionists with knowledge of government-wide personnel management regulations promulgated by the Office of Personnel Management to include orders and policies of the Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons. We have the capability to assist our membership with matters involving employee discipline, grievances, unfair labor practices, equal employment commission, and the interpretation and application of regulations and applicable labor contract provisions.

It is our endeavor that no one should ever be deprived of his/her right to act as the liaison or exclusive voice for Labor. We hold the Agency accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

“We believe that ownership breeds pride, and pride is what every member should feel about any Local within our Region.”

I take great pleasure and pride in humbly serving you as the North Central Vice President for the Union.

“I am proud to be a Unionist of the North Central”