August 30, 2006
THE CONTRACT of the state vendor that provides drug treatment services at Sheridan and other state correctional centers will be terminated as a result of an agreement between Gateway Foundation and Council 31. The state has agreed to replace Gateway with a new vendor as soon as possible. The agreement, which will end the contract strike that began June 6, was seen as a resounding win for the workers.
"This agreement is a clear victory for these workers who insisted on being treated fairly and having a voice at work through their union," AFSCME Council 31 Associate Director Mike Newman said. "They took enormous risks and made enormous sacrifices in going out on strike for the principles of fairness and the right to form a union."
Under the terms of this agreement, AFSCME and Gateway have agreed to job protections for the workers until a new vendor is under contract. The state has also agreed, at the request of AFSCME and Gateway, to urge any new vendor to retain all Gateway employees.
At a date to be determined by the union, employees will return to work at Sheridan until Gateway is replaced. They will suffer no negative consequences for their participation in the strike.
"The workers are the heart and soul of the Sheridan program that has been hailed as a national model for reducing recidivism," Newman said. "Throughout the strike the workers have demonstrated a deep commitment to their work and to the inmates they treat. Any new vendor will be proud to employ them."
Left to right top: Josh, Trisha and Kathy
Left to right middle: Amanda, ME, Roberta, Sharon and Jim
Bottom: Paul
Saturdays game was a wet one. I think its cool to watch them play in the rain. Looks like a ton of fun. Cyrano had a fumble recovery. It was awesome. Cyrano had a ton of tackles this game. He played really good. Well the boys didn't win, but its not whether you win or lose but how well you play.
