Jenkins unhappy with union representation

‘‘We are all county employees, so we enjoy good salaries and great benefits,” Jenkins said. ‘‘I truly believe this union representation will gain them nothing.”

Jenkins said he is frustrated because he now has to bargain salaries and benefits with correctional officers and deputies.

In 2005, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation giving deputies bargaining rights.

A bill giving the county’s correctional officers the authority to negotiate their salaries and benefits passed the General Assembly this year, and was signed into law by Gov. Martin O’Malley (D).

The new law gives correctional officers at the rank of sergeant or below the choice of union representation.

Local 1994 United Food & Commercial Workers will represent the correctional officers. At this time, 78 percent of the 107 officers have requested union representation, said Union President Gino Renne.

The union met with correctional officers Tuesday in Frederick to discuss the priorities in relation to wages and benefits.

Renne said once their priorities are formulated, they would be sent to Jenkins. Renne expects it will take about two or three months before bargaining can begin.

But Jenkins said bargaining cannot start, since former Sheriff James Hagy (R) initiated a new pay scale for the entire department, including correctional officers, that is in effect through next June.

‘‘They can’t even address the salary scale until next year,” he said.

Under the pay scale, the annual salary for a new correctional officer jumped from $34,000 to $35,193. The starting pay for a sergeant $46,842; it tops off at $72,137.

Jenkins considers these significant increases that are comparable if not better than most counties in Maryland.

For example, Local 1994 reached an agreement this year on a new salary contract for 7,000 Montgomery County government employees, including correctional officers.

Under the contract, the starting annual salary for a new correctional officer is $37,300. The annual base salary for a sergeant working in corrections between 14 and 20 years is $80,152. When the first labor agreement in Frederick County is reached between Jenkins and a committee that includes the union and several correctional officers, it will have to be accepted or rejected by all union members.

The law specifies that if negotiations break down, correctional officers cannot strike.

Any additional funding required as a result of the negotiated agreement would need the approval of the Frederick Board of County Commissioners.

Renne said the goal of the bargaining process includes working cooperatively with Jenkins, making sure salaries and benefits are in line with the Washington Metropolitan area, and attracting good officers.

‘‘Our role is to build a collaborative partnership with the sheriff and his administration,” he said. ‘‘...Our goal will be to make sure Frederick County is as competitive as possible, and there isn’t an erosion of officers both long term and short term.”