Why You Should Become a Member of
Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102,
Fraternal Order of Police
(Revised October 2008)
In four years P.O.S.T Correctional Staff received one 2% pay raise. During the same period health care cost increased. Gasoline prices jumped from $.98 a gallon to $3.00 a gallon; food clothing and other cost quickly followed. In February 2005, Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102, Fraternal Order of Police was chartered and during that same month, the commissioner of corrections announced corrections officers would receive a 2%-4% pay raise, which would take effect in January 2007. In March 2006, two weeks after our lodge was charted nine corrections officers attended Trooper’s Day on the Hill at the state capital. The event was scheduled and sponsored by Georgia Troopers Lodge #100 and Georgia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. At the event an announcement was made that a vote was being taken which would give P.O.S.T certified public safety officers an additional 3%-5% pay increase. As public safety officers, correctional officers would, also, receive the additional increase. Officers in higher ranks did not receive the additional 3%-5% increase, but received the additional amount beginning in January 2008. It was also announced that health care rates would not be raised in 2006.
Why did corrections officers receive the additional money and freeze on health care rates? During Lodge 102’s April 2006 lodge meeting, which was attended by two state representatives, one representative stated, “Had it not been for the Fraternal Order of Police you (Corrections) would not have received the extra money”. Because of Georgia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Eighty-Four charter members who founded Lodge 102, approximately 8,000 Correctional Officers received an additional 3%-5% pay increase.
On January 1, 2008 all state employees received a 3% pay increase. Added to the 2007 pay increase the total increase is 6%-10%. Yes, additional pay increases have been given to some officers. No, we do not want any officer to lose those increases. We want all officers to receive equal and fair pay at all locations as well as monetary pay for overtime instead of flex time.
At the request of Georgia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, later in 2006 a pay study was commissioned and conducted by the Georgia House of Representatives. The study concluded that Georgia Corrections pay is below the average pay of states surrounding Georgia. Florida Corrections pay which is substantially higher was not included in the study. As a result of the study requested by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Georgia legislature voted to give Georgia Trooper’s a substantial increase. The Georgia House of Representatives pay study recommended that the legislature start correcting correction’s pay in 2010. Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102, Fraternal Order of Police, along with others requested that the legislature address corrections pay in January 2008.
In 2008 the Georgia legislature recognized the needs of Georgia’s corrections officers and voted a 2.5% pay increase for all state employees, along with a special pay increase of 3-5% for correctional officers. Unfortunately, an unexpected down turn in economic conditions in Georgia and nation wide forced the governor to postpone the pay increase. Correctional officers fully realize the effects of decreased income and increased cost of living. As state employees, they have been experiencing those effects for several years. Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102 applauds the legislature for its efforts in addressing corrections’ pay issues, but urges the legislature to reinstate the voted pay increase as soon as Georgia’s economy improves.
Currently, correctional officers are facing what is termed the “right sizing” of the department. Our lodge opposes any “right sizing” which results in jobs lost or forces officers from facilities which are being closed to drive long distances in order to retain employment with the department.
Numbers influence! You count! We urge you to contact your state politicians! Ask them to address our pay issues! If you are not already a member, join with your fellow officers and become a member today. I have often heard the statement, “They are not going to do anything”. You and I are they. What are you going to do? Now is the time for correctional officers to join together and by working as a team we can make a difference.