Cayuga County Sheriff's Department employees began the month reading an unexpected memo about a new rule requiring all tattoos to be covered.
Two employees who are also local union members are looking to negotiate the new rule with department officials.
A memo, effective Aug. 1, requires all employees to now cover all tattoos on the body, said Mario Campanello, union president for the Civil Service Employee Association's Correction 911 and Civil Unit.
“All of us have no idea whatsoever about why the change was made,” Campanello said.
No reason for the sudden creation of this rule was mentioned in the memo, Cornelius said.
“We have manuals that include rules and regulations that are not for public discussion,” said county Sheriff Rob Outhouse. “We make amendments as time goes on.”
Two local unions, the Cayuga County Deputy Sheriff's Police Association and CSEA's Correction 911 and Civil Unit, want to negotiate.
“If we believe new policy as written has a change in terms or conditions in the working environment, employees can demand to the employer a negotiation on its policy and impact,” said Fred Cornelius, Cayuga County Deputy Sheriff's Police Association union president.
Both groups have begun negotiation requests with department officials.
If a new policy is created, unions have a period of time to discuss issues on the change, Cornelius said.
The Police Association has already written and delivered letters about their negotiation request.
Other county departments have rules preventing visibility of offensive tattoos, Campanello said.
After negotiation requests are filed, the employer has the right to deny or accept negotiations. If negotiations are not permitted, both unions will consider filing claims for improper practice charges.
Processes for filing charges in both unions are different but without a chance to negotiate, claims on improper practice and First Amendment violations against the department are possible, both Campanello and Cornelius said.
“Some policy changes are reasonable but this we feel is a change in our conditions of employment,” Cornelius said. “We want to first give them the opportunity to negotiate and resolve this.”
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
A memo, effective Aug. 1, requires all employees to now cover all tattoos on the body, said Mario Campanello, union president for the Civil Service Employee Association's Correction 911 and Civil Unit.
“All of us have no idea whatsoever about why the change was made,” Campanello said.
No reason for the sudden creation of this rule was mentioned in the memo, Cornelius said.
“We have manuals that include rules and regulations that are not for public discussion,” said county Sheriff Rob Outhouse. “We make amendments as time goes on.”
Two local unions, the Cayuga County Deputy Sheriff's Police Association and CSEA's Correction 911 and Civil Unit, want to negotiate.
“If we believe new policy as written has a change in terms or conditions in the working environment, employees can demand to the employer a negotiation on its policy and impact,” said Fred Cornelius, Cayuga County Deputy Sheriff's Police Association union president.
Both groups have begun negotiation requests with department officials.
If a new policy is created, unions have a period of time to discuss issues on the change, Cornelius said.
The Police Association has already written and delivered letters about their negotiation request.
Other county departments have rules preventing visibility of offensive tattoos, Campanello said.
After negotiation requests are filed, the employer has the right to deny or accept negotiations. If negotiations are not permitted, both unions will consider filing claims for improper practice charges.
Processes for filing charges in both unions are different but without a chance to negotiate, claims on improper practice and First Amendment violations against the department are possible, both Campanello and Cornelius said.
“Some policy changes are reasonable but this we feel is a change in our conditions of employment,” Cornelius said. “We want to first give them the opportunity to negotiate and resolve this.”
Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net
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