May 6, 2023 Presidential Update

Dear Members of Local 883,

As we enter the month of June, I want to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on the significant progress we have made in addressing our ongoing issues and the growth of our Union. I am proud to share that thanks to the unwavering dedication of our executive board and Stewards, we have successfully filed and resolved multiple grievances in the past month. I would like to extend special recognition to our day shift steward, Welch T., for his successful filing and favorable outcomes in favor of the Union. While we still have several open grievances, we remain committed to working with the Company to address and resolve these matters at our upcoming meeting on June 13th. Also I have attached to this email our agenda for the June 22nd meeting. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

I would also like to inform you that there are still several stewardship positions available within our Union. We encourage anyone who is interested to volunteer for these positions. Please feel free to reach out to me for more information. (Please refer to the attached steward roster to see the available positions.)

In other news, I would like to share updates from Mr. Beaupre, our Academy instructor. GEO has recently hired 18 officers (with one resignation), 4 Food Service Officers (with one resignation), and 4 janitors (with one resignation) from January 1st, 2023 to June 5th, 2023. We anticipate more officers joining as we have scheduled a new hire academy starting on June 5th. HR is actively working to strengthen their relationship with the ICE background investigators, and we hope to see more officers cleared for employment. This not only helps us address the issue of overtime but also contributes to the growth of our Officer and Union family. We wish them the best and eagerly await their arrival.

Regarding the matter of seniority for the annual bid in September, we are currently working with HR to address this. Our focus is currently on GTI, Kitchen, and part-time positions, and once we have rectified these areas, we will move on to addressing the seniority of full-time positions. I want to assure you that there is no need to listen to rumors or engage in fear mongering. We acknowledge that there are discrepancies in the seniority roster, and we are actively working with HR to rectify the situation. If you have any concerns or questions, please refer to the email sent out regarding these rosters and contact us. We are committed to correcting and preparing the rosters for the annual bid. (Please note that the email has only been sent out to Kitchen and Part-time positions as of now.)

I am excited to announce that we are currently testing our new Local 883 website, and we anticipate launching it for everyone very soon.

Additionally, I want to address a matter that has recently come to my attention. It has been brought to my attention that there are some concerns and rumors circulating among a group of officers regarding my regular absence on Tuesdays for Union business. I want to clarify that the reason I take every Tuesday off is because of my responsibilities as the President of Local 883.

As many of you know, leading our union requires significant time and effort, both in managing grievances and advocating for our rights. Taking this dedicated time allows me to fulfill my duties effectively and ensures that I can address any pressing issues promptly. It is crucial to emphasize that these absences are approved and in accordance with the appropriate protocols.

I understand that some individuals may feel frustrated or even harbor misconceptions about this arrangement. However, it is important for all of us to remember that supporting our union’s objectives and empowering our members is a collective effort. Any false rumors or animosity only serve to hinder our progress and unity as a union.

I encourage anyone who has concerns or questions regarding my schedule or the union business to reach out to me directly. Transparency and open communication are key to fostering a healthy and inclusive work environment.

Let us focus on working together towards our common goals and continue to build a stronger, more resilient union. Your support and understanding are greatly appreciated.

Lastly, I want to share that we are pursuing arbitration on a job classification issue, and we eagerly await the results of this process. As always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. While we have faced challenges, I remain optimistic that our collective efforts will yield positive results.

Thank you for your unwavering support and dedication to our Union.

In solidarity,

Oliver