Union members from the Ohio Reformatory for Women and other correctional facilities throughout the state gathered at the prison Monday to picket working conditions stemming from alleged understaffing. Picketers are pictured holding signs and waving at drivers on Collins Avenue.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Kayleen Petrovia)
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Dozens of union members picketed outside of the Ohio Reformatory for Women Monday in hopes of addressing alleged understaffing at the prison.
Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA) Chapter President at ORW and Correction Officer Tom Holden said ORW employees are struggling with excessive emotional and physical stress due to understaffing at the prison.
Holden said he recognizes that staffing issues are “an epidemic” statewide, but he argued that ORW officials are unwilling to address the problem.
“They’re telling people, ‘If you don’t like it, go,’” he said. “That shouldn’t be the attitude.”
Holden and OCSEA Director of Communications Sally Meckling, who were both participating in the picket Monday morning, said ORW officials have frozen the union’s bid process.
They said ORW employees are currently not allowed to move to other positions regardless of whether there is an opening.
Holden said the lack of flexibility to work different shifts, along with regular mandatory overtime days, is contributing to understaffing.
He said he feels parents who have children or employees with other obligations should be able to move to other shifts, as it will help retain those employees without affecting overall staffing numbers.
“If you’re short 90 (employees), you’re short 90. (Shifting positions) doesn’t change the numbers,” Holden said.
He said many employees are regularly working on their normal days off or filling in on third shift.
Holden added that he is troubled that former officers and employees from outside agencies are filling in, while he feels ORW employees are not working toward a more permanent solution.
Union members from Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) facilities throughout the state and members of the nurses’ union were participating in the picket to support the requests of ORW employees, Meckling said.
Holden said he was hopeful the picket would draw the attention of ODRC and elected officials, and that they would be willing to “sit down and hear our message.”
Holden said excessive overtime and other understaffing issues will lead to other problems if not addressed.
“If you’re that tired and that overworked, you’re going to make a mistake, and when you work for ODRC you can’t be making mistakes,” he said.