Members of the Fresno County Correctional Officers Association approved key wage concessions that could save jobs and perhaps stop the early release of more jail inmates.
Monday’s vote is the latest in a series of union votes that could help the department save millions of dollars.
Correctional Officers tried to avoid these concessions and cuts but they finally approved them, saying the concession put public safety first and will help save jobs.
Fresno County Correctional Officers voted in favor of making the concessions and SEIU, the association that represents Correctional Officers, say's it was just the right thing to do at this critical time.
James Geluso with Local 521 said, “The correctional officers voted overwhelmingly to give up one million dollars in pay between now and the end of the fiscal year.
Had they not agreed to the cuts, 69 Correctional Officers were facing layoffs and three floors of the Fresno County Jail could've been closed, causing the early release of hundreds of inmates.
Geluso said, “We're hopeful that this will close the budget gap and result in not closing three floors of the jail.”
SEIU says the county will be making the decision about layoffs and jail floor closings at Tuesday's Board of Supervisors meeting and Supervisor Henry Parea says the county's priority's are in line with correctional officers'.
Supervisor Perea said, “…that we stop the release of inmates into our community. That's our number one priority.”
Monday afternoon, the Sheriff's Sergeants Association also agreed to concessions. Eric Broughton, President of the Sheriff's Sergeants Association said, “It includes a 40 hour pay reduction for us as well as forgoing our uniform allowances for this fiscal year.”
Cuts for Deputy Sheriffs and the administrative office had already been approved to help close the $4 million deficit in the Fresno County Sheriff's budget but whether layoffs and the early release of inmates can be avoided completely is still to be seen.
Geluso said, “It's ultimately up to the Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff.”
CBS47 On Your Side tried contacting Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims to ask her if the concessions would be enough to avoid any layoffs and to stop the early release of inmates but did not hear back. Sheriff Mims is expected at Tuesday's Fresno County Board of Supervisors meeting.
