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| Unions Clash Over Thomson Prison Plan |
Unions are usually in favor of job creation, but not when their members are cut out of the deal by another union.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the labor union that represents prison guards at state facilities, is against the sale of Thomson Prison to the federal government.
Citing overcrowding at prisons across the state, AFSCME members told members of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability that the state should keep Thomson and open the facility up to full capacity.
Henry Bayer, executive director AFSME Council 31, adds that the sale of Thomson is not only unfair to the 78 people working there now but also to the over 200 people who were hired with a promise of a job at Thomson but "are now scattered throughout the state because Thomson didn't open."
Tony Ferranto, president AFSCME Local 1175 at Menard Correctional Center, says overcrowding, bad food and gradual cuts on social services and recreation means a riot is brewing and action to stop that possibility must happen now.
If the federal government were to take over the prison, those federal prison guards would be represented by the American Federation of Government Employees, leaving AFSCME members currently at the prison with the option to be trained and join AFGE or to stick with AFSCME and accept Illinois Department of Corrections jobs at other facilities.
IDOC Director Michael Randle says there will be job opening available for those who wish to relocate to nearby state prisons.
The federal government has tapped Thomson as the location to house Guantanamo Bay detainees as President Obama looks to shut that military prison.
(Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 12 24 09 by Newsroom |
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