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Sheriff, deputies at an impasse
Gap health insurance and the use of an outside arbitrator are the sticking points.
By CAMILLE C. SPENCER
Published April 3, 2007
After a month of deadlocked contract negotiations with Sheriff Bob White, Pasco's sheriff's deputies on Monday declared an impasse. They created a Web site, www.supportyourdeputies.com, to publicly air their grievances. They also plan to send brochures to local business owners in hopes of stirring up support. The deputies' gripes against White - which include their desire for gap health insurance coverage for retirees and the right to appeal disciplinary decisions to an outside arbitrator - are detailed on the Web site. So is their disdain toward the sheriff. "Sheriff White will not afford his own deputies the basic benefits he enjoyed as a law enforcement officer," the site reads. It concludes: "This is about the Sheriff against his Deputies, not the Deputies against the Sheriff." Paul Noeske, staff representative with the Fraternal Order of Police, which represents the deputies at the bargaining table, said the union sent a letter last week to the sheriff's attorney saying deputies were about to go public with their grievances. The sheriff's attorney, Wayne Helsby, did not return a call Monday for comment. Sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll referred all questions in this matter to Helsby. In an interview last month, White listed other perks he has provided to the deputies, including better extra-duty pay, new cars for detectives and new gym equipment. But he declined to say why he wouldn't grant the requests for gap insurance or an outside appeal of disciplinary decisions. "This is between my deputies and I," White said last month. "Just because we've disagreed on a few issues doesn't mean we've had a falling-out." With the declaration of an impasse, however, the deputies plan to take their grievances to the public, both through the Web site and brochures that will be sent to local businesses. "We just hope to come to an agreement," Noeske said. "We expect to have a contract like other places do." Noeske said if White and the union don't come to an agreement by April 14, a hearing will be held before a magistrate. The magistrate will then make a nonbinding recommendation on the terms of the contract, Noeske said. If the two parties still can't agree, then White may impose a contract on the deputies, said Matt Puckett, deputy executive director for the Florida Police Benevolent Association in Tallahassee. "Right now," he said, "the sheriff holds all the cards."
[Last modified April 2, 2007, 23:19:00]
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by Bob
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04/09/07 04:19 AM
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You are comparing apples to oranges. If you feel we have not been paying attention to our pollicing duties, please define how so? You would not believe what goes on and how well the deputies sheild you from it out there.
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by Tom
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04/04/07 06:12 PM
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I hear Sheriff White is doing the same think that Sheriff Beseler is doing in Clay County. I hear they too are going to impasse on the very same issues. The Sheriffs Association is very strong and promotes the Sheriffs to look out for themselves.
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by John
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04/03/07 11:19 PM
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Sheriff White, shame on you. I can't believe you don't support our first responders. I would hope as an elected official you will read these comments and reconsider. They need your support so we in Trinity can support you.
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by Steve
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04/03/07 11:09 PM
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This really concerns me Mr. White. As a tax paying citizen of Trinity who supported you in the past I'm very concerned that you don't support our deputies who put their lives on the line to protect all of us. My vote goes to the deputies, sorry.
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by Margaret
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04/03/07 05:53 PM
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Thank you sheriff's deputies. I support you and appreciate the sacrafice you make everyday.
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by Tom
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04/03/07 05:43 PM
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This is all about power. The Sheriffs Association which is a union for the Sheriffs. They think they have more power than the Govenor. I hope he does impose his will. That way he can be sued and the courts can finally end this power issue.
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by Mike
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04/03/07 11:58 AM
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After laying their lives on the line every single day, the sheriff can't seem to find it to give his deputies some health insurance if and when they retire. Amazing! The deputies make the sheriff look good, but not the same back
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by Hans
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04/03/07 11:51 AM
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We hold our law enforcement officers to a greater standard of behavior and performance than the general public. Yet, in this case, they are excluded from due process and adequate health insurance.
I support the Deputies.
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by Kim D.
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04/03/07 11:36 AM
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It wsure doesn't sound to me like our deputies and sheriff are happy together. The sheriff may hold the cards now but will he in Nov of 2008 if things don't change. Sheriff White put your pride asside and support your staff and their careers.
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by Kelley
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04/03/07 11:35 AM
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Why would Sheriff White not support and outside arbitrator. WHAT DOES HE HAVE TO HIDE about the way his employees are treated by Internal Affairs and why do staff members not use career service board in place. 1 case has gone to the board under White
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by Violet
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04/03/07 11:07 AM
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If all was well with Sheriff White and his staff. Why did the deputies go UNION? I think the vote shows all is not well with his staff.
So sheriff are you implying your better than your staff. They don't deserve the same retirement benefits you do?
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by PublicDon'tWantToHear
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04/03/07 01:48 AM
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They should be concentrating on their policing duties and make due with what they have. That's how we did it in the combat zone.
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