Union raises safety, taxpayer impact of DR&C food service ... - OCSEA

VOL. 23 • ISSUE 5 July 5, 2013
Union raises safety, taxpayer impact of
DR&C food service privatization
DYS to retain state-operated food service
Despite a competitive bid from OCSEA to save $9 million
on inmate meal costs without sacrificing safety or
jobs, the Ohio Dept. of Rehabilitation and Correction
announced that the out-of-state private company, Aramark, won
a $30 million private contract to take over food service in Ohio’s
adult prisons. Approximately 500 food service employees will
be impacted. The Dept. of Youth
Services wisely opted to retain
state-operated food service.
Aramark had previously been
charged with overseeing food
service operations at two Ohio
prisons from 1998 to 2000. Their
failed tenure resulted in rampant
cost overruns, security problems
and fraud, including charging the
state for phantom inmates to the
tune of $2 million. With a failed
audit and near-riot conditions
at Noble Correctional Institution
as result, DR&C asked OCSEA to
bring food services back in-house at a savings of 20 percent.
Choosing Aramark means the elimination of the state’s
Central Warehouse and thus considerable cost savings for the
rest of state agencies that purchase food and supplies. Central
Warehouse, operated by the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health, is
distributes discounted food and supplies to all state prisons, 10
Developmental Centers, the Schools for the Blind and Deaf and
Ohio House takes step
toward a safer ODOT
In June, the Ohio
House unanimously
passed House Bill 172, the
Move Over bill. The bill
makes it a misdemeanor
for motorists who don’t
move over or slow down
for highway workers
on the side of the road. Dean Guy, ODOT, and Mary Rizor,
The law already protects widow of an ODOT member killed on
emergency vehicles and
the highway, testify in favor of the
tow trucks.
Move Over bill.
This action comes after the death of ODOT employee Lee
Rizor, who was tragically killed along I-71 north of Columbus
while performing his work duties. His widow, Mary Rizor, and
his ODOT co-worker, Dean Guy, testified in favor of the bill.
As the result of budgetary and Medicaid obligations that
will be consuming the General Assembly as the summer break
looms, OCSEA expects Senate hearings on the bill won’t resume
until the fall. OCSEA looks forward to championing this bill on
behalf of all highway worker until it receives the governor’s
signature.
Ohio Veterans’ Homes as well as community-based correctional
facilities.
“When you factor in the money it takes to maintain security
and monitor the vendor as well as the money saved by Central
Warehouse, it’s next to impossible for a private company to
do what OCSEA members do for less money,” said OCSEA
President Chris Mabe. “The fact
that the administration picked
Aramark — the same company
that overcharged the state by $2
million in 1998 — shows what
little regard they have for Ohio
taxpayers.”
Currently, DR&C Food
Service Coordinators receive
the same security training as do
Corrections Officers. To maintain
this current level of security,
DR&C would have to add 119
CO positions at an annual cost
of $7 million, a figure that was
not accounted for in Aramark’s bid. Nor did DR&C account for
adequate monitoring that other states have said is essential for
ensuring the company’s contract compliance.
A riot was directly linked to Aramark food cost and portion
sizes in Kentucky, according to a 2009 report by that state’s
auditor. In 2008 Florida fired Aramark because of contract
breaches.
(see Food Service on back...)
OCSEA waives Convention
registration fee
The 30 th OCSEA Convention
will take place Aug. 22-24 at the
Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland. The
deadline to register is Aug. 2.
Get updates on the convention at
ocsea.org/convention.
OCSEA Board waives registration fee
The OCSEA Board of Directors voted at its June meeting to
waive delegate registration fees for the delegates attending
the 2013 OCSEA Convention. Subordinate bodies that have
already sent in delegate registration fees will be reimbursed.
Delegates who have not submitted a form should disregard the
registration fee mentioned on the registration forms. All other
fees on the form will still apply.
PEOPLE reception is Thursday
The OCSEA PEOPLE Reception will be held at convention the
evening of Thursday, Aug. 22 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Attendees
must be PEOPLE members but additional guests are allowed for
$10 per guest. Sign up for PEOPLE at ocsea.org.
(see Convention on back...)

July 5, 2013
VOL. 23 • ISSUE 5
Ohio Civil Service Employees Association
AFSCME • Local 11 • AFL-CIO
390 Worthington Road, Ste. A
Westerville, OH 43082-8331
Union raises safety, taxpayer impact of prison food service
privatization
Ohio House takes step toward a safer ODOT
OCSEA waives Convention registration fee
Working Families Festival is July 20
Attend an important OCSEA event, conference
OCSEA wins seat on Violence Reduction Oversight Committee
Working Families Festival is July 20
Summer will be here before we
know it, and with that comes the
annual OCSEA Working Families
Festival. On July 20, OCSEA will
once again honor its activists
with a day dedicated to them and
their families. OCSEA is also celebrating 75 years
of OCSEA fighting hard for the middle class. Mark
your calendars now to attend! The event will take
place from noon-5 p.m. at OCSEA Headquarters.
Register online at ocsea.org/workingfamfest.
Union Benefits Trust to hold open house
In addition to music, food and fun, visit the Union Benefits Trust Open House
at the Working Families Festival to celebrate 20 years of quality services to unionrepresented
State of Ohio employees. The event will include the Mammogram
Bus, a health fair with screenings for blood pressure, vision and BMI, an
opportunity for members to determine beneficiary designation, fun games, like
UBT Pong, prizes from vendors and much more.
Nominate a child who gives back
Once again, OCSEA is honoring the children who give back to their
communities and contribute to unionism. Go to ocsea.org/workingfamfest
to nominate a child or grandchild of an OCSEA member who has volunteered in
their communities or made contributions to OCSEA and/or the labor movement.
Applications must be received by July 12. Nominees will be honored at the
Working Families Festival.
Save the Date!
Attend an important OCSEA event, conference
There are several conferences and events coming up that activists and
members are encouraged to attend. View the OCSEA Calendar at ocsea.org
for more information on registration.
District 6 Leadership Retreat – July 9, 11, 16 & 18 – Columbus
Retiree Chapter Bar-B-Que – July 13 – Mansfield
Working Families Festival – July 20 – Columbus
Local Government Conference – July 27 – Columbus
30 th Biennial Convention – Aug. 22-24 – Cleveland
Steward Conference – Oct. 5 – Columbus
Veterans Conference – Oct. 11-12 – Cincinnati
of
OCSEA wins seat on Violence Reduction
Oversight Committee
OCSEA is pleased to announce a big win! OCSEA members in the Dept.
of Rehabilitation and Correction will have a seat on the statewide Violence
Reduction Oversight Committee. Until now, the process improvement team has
excluded OCSEA bargaining unit members who work in Ohio’s prisons.
“The best way to reduce violence in our prisons it is to work with the men
and women who are on the front lines,” said OCSEA President Chris Mabe.
“Having a seat will allow us to create a safer and more secure environment.”
Ohio State Senator Tim Schaffer was instrumental in bringing OCSEA to
the table and is committed to working with OCSEA to reduce violence in
all institutions. Sen. Schaffer has also introduced another important piece of
legislation, SB 147, to increase penalties for assaulting corrections or youth
services staff. Tell him thank you at ocsea.org/thanks.
(From Food Service on front)
OCSEA leaders are also speaking up about the impact this could have on local
communities. “It’s going to affect employment. It’s going to affect our security
issues,” Luke Vansickle, Southern Ohio Correctional Facility Chap. 7330 President
told the Portsmouth Daily Times.
“Food service is a vitally important part of running a prison,” said OCSEA
Corrections Assembly President James Adkins. “Our prisons are already
overcrowded and understaffed. We can’t afford to lose any more trained and
experienced staff.”
While no rationale was given, OCSEA can only speculate why DYS chose to
keep the service in-house. “Here we have two agencies with many of the same
problems with violence, yet one chose to keep food service public and to focus
on solving those problems and one chose to ignore those problems and make a
huge system change despite them,” said DYS Assembly President Annie Person.
“If it ain’t broken. Don’t fix it!”
(From Convention on front)
Get a good laugh on Thursday night
Throw back and have some laughs Thursday evening with the captivating
comedy and hilarious impressions of Jim Grossett. While other comedians recycle
“stock” jokes, Jim takes his inspiration from the events of the day, adds his special
brand of magic and delivers a performance so up-to-the-minute, it’s no wonder
his material often appears in the monologues of The Tonight Show and The Late
Show with David Letterman. The event begins at 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug.
22 and is free to all Convention delegates and their guests.
Friday night event tickets are going fast
As a part of convention registration, delegates should indicate which special
event they will attend on Friday, Aug. 23. Convention delegates can choose from
a Cleveland Indians game OR a party cruise aboard the Good Time III. Events will
sell out quickly. Once they’re gone, no additional tickets will be sold.