Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2009

Union files grievance after Madison County sheriff's budget slashed

EDWARDSVILLE -- A loss of manpower because of budget cuts is causing a safety risk for Madison County sheriff's deputies as well as the public, according to the leader of the deputies' labor union.

The deputies' union, the Police Benevolent and Protective Association, has filed a grievance, arguing that the sheriff should have to refill four vacant positions in the department.

"We believe this will create safety issues for our members, not to mention the citizens of the county," said local union president Mike Evanoff, a jail sergeant. "The sheriff agrees and is behind us."

The Sheriff's Department recently lost two deputies and two jailers. Three of them retired, while one went to the Illinois State Police.

Sheriff Robert Hertz has said the Madison County Board recently ordered him to cut $325,000 by the end of November and make additional cuts after that. County Board Chairman Alan Dunstan has said all county departments are getting their budgets cut due to the economy, and he thinks the Sheriff's Department will do fine with an $11.2 million annual budget, instead of $11.8 million.

Hertz said he wishes he could fill the four positions, but he can't. He has previously spoken out against the cuts for his department.

"They're actually talking to the wrong person on this. I don't have control over the purse," he said. "I'm not going to hire people, knowing that I'm just going to have to lay them off."

Hertz also said he thinks the contract allows for the positions to go unfilled if there are financial reasons.

But Hertz said the grievance could end up going to an arbitrator, who could order the sheriff to fill the four positions.

In their current contract negotiations, deputies are seeking minimum staffing levels for the jail, patrols and 911 operations.

Evanoff said the minimal staffing levels are needed because "if something is not done or attempted, the county will continue to weed our members out and not fill the vacancies by not allowing the sheriff the funds to do so."

Members of the union have been without a contract since December. Pay increases are a primary issue in the contract negotiations.

The county has offered a two-year deal, with no increase the first year, and a 3 percent increase the second year.

The union has offered a three-year contract, with 3 percent increases in the first and second years, and a 4 percent increase in the third year.

County Administrator Joe Parente, who is negotiating for the county, could not be reached for comment.