Our independent union was founded by seven state DOC Correction Officers in the late spring/early summer of 1988, which were
fed up with the lack of support and representation by the former union, AFSCME. Five of these original seven had served as local
AFSCME representatives at one time or another and saw firsthand the problems within that organization and its failure to address
the needs of our work force.
We had belonged to a group, which represented over 40,000 employees via one contract. Correctional employees had to negotiate
specific issues in conjunction with zoo keepers, tree trimmers, librarians, and a host of other occupations which had nothing
to do with the job we performed. We believe that an independent organization, whose sole purpose was to represent Corrections,
would fare far better at the negotiating table as a group of 4,000 employees with a commonality of interest that with 36,000
assorted lifeguards and the like. This was the foundation for designing what has become the largest law enforcement Union in New England.
Our organization was funded out of the pockets of the original seven members who became its Executive Board. We spent day and
night campaigning and championing the cause for independence. On May 25, 1989, in our first election, we defeated ASFCME, a
multi-million dollar international organization, by 103 votes. AFSCME challenged the election results, unsuccessfully, and it
wasn't until October 2, 1989, that the MCOFU was officially recognized by the Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission as the
sole bargaining agent for Unit 4, which is comprised of Correction Officers, Industrial Instructors, and Recreation Officers working
within the DOC.
Under the old union seventy to eighty cents of every dues-collected dollar never went to represent the membership at the state
level. Much of it was sent to the parent organization in Washington, D.C. We believe that this money should be utilized by and for
the people who pay it, not by some outside interest. This philosophy has proven very beneficial to our members and their families.
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At the time of the first election there were over 3,000 employees that we sought to represent. With a margin of victory of only
103 votes, clearly the election was very close. In our very first contract, under extremely difficult economic conditions, we
successfully negotiated what amounted' to a 25% pay increase. We added three new benefits, which the old union had not been able
to obtain for twelve years, a $350 uniform cleaning allowance, now increased to $500 and in 1997, $700 {with the added bonus of
DOC-provided footwear and t-shirts); longevity pay, and Educational Incentives ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 per a year! We also
negotiated the first Industrial Accident protection agreement against communicable disease and sought and received from Governor
Weld a move taking Corrections out of Human Services and into Public Safety where we rightfully belong. These are but a small sampling
of our accomplishments.
Prior to the inception of the MCOFU state Correction Officers made a base salary of a $23,176.40 per year. We advanced that base
pay to $28,463.80 at the end of our first contract, and at the end of our current contract the base salary will increase to $60,302.38
making us one of the highest paid Correction Officers in the country. These figures do not include additional benefits such as roll
call, shift differential, holiday pay, etc.
You should also know that for the first time in Legislative history a public employees' contract, the MCOFU’s first, was passed
unanimously by both Democrats and Republicans. We are a bi-partisan organization that has worked diligently to garnish support in
the State House and has quickly developed the Legislative clout necessary to move Corrections into the 21St century. Remember that
this was our first time at the plate and we hit a grand slam!
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