As many of you are by now aware, A Cole County MO. Jury has awarded Corrections Officers just under 114 million dollars last week in a trial pertaining to “pre, and post shift work”. We all owe a debt of gratitude to a few Officers and Sergeants who made this happen. The lawsuit was initiated by Thomas Hootselle, Oliver (Tim) Huff, Beverly Stevenson, Amanda and Morgan Strange and Powell Meister as well as the many more who signed onto the suit making it a “Class Action”. I believe that every Board member of the Association signed on as well.

After winning the overtime lawsuit (flextime) in 2014 MOCOA began its involvement in this suit by not only recruiting a large number of class litigants, but providing an enormous amount of information and documentation which the attorneys used to win this case. Congratulations to ALL of you and MANY THANKS!

We do expect this verdict will be appealed to a higher court which will drag out the settlement/payment you might be expecting. I ask each of you to keep the faith, and have patience in this process. I want to personally thank everyone involved in this suit.

Gary Gross.
Exc. Director
MOCOA

The 2018 session ended with some good things happening, as well as some legislation passing we didn’t support (ref) merit system changes. Senate Bill No. 1007 has changes giving more authority to department heads and referencing employees as (At Will) and can be terminated without cause. This is of great concern to us. We will be having this legislation reviewed by our attorneys. There is a lot of false information floating around the state that isn’t correct. There is (NO) loss of benefits such as sick or annual leave or retirement, also this does not change our current work agreement.

On a more positive note we were able to get corrections officers a little more pay increase than other merit system employees. Corrections officers will be receiving $1050 per year while other employees will be receiving $700. per year. It is my understanding you will receive part of the raise in July and the remainder in January 2019.

Another positive action was our ability to receive an exemption in SS/SCB/HB1413 referencing the operations and rules of a bargaining unit. This legislation would make it nearly impossible for our unit to continue to operate based on the requirements in this legislation.

With problems brewing in the institutions and the short staffing we ask you to stay safe and lookout for each other. Thanks for your support.

Gary Gross: Director

Tim Cutt: Grievance Officer

Mocoa Board of Directors

Dear Association Members:

I just returned from the Capitol a few minutes ago with some semi good news. I was assured by a high-ranking Senator that the proposed $650.00 raise will be in the budget with no stipulations. He also assured me they are continuing to look for more money that might come our way, but with no guarantee. Some other positive conversation included talk among legislators to start funding the Merit pay grid in the near future, as they feel they can do that at the same cost they are spending to replace employees and training cost. This is something we have been lobbying in favor of for years. While I know it’s not nearly what officers deserve, it is most positive news I have to report at this time. I will keep you updated as the Legislative session progresses.

Keep in mind the Governor would have the power to withhold these funds, however my instincts tell me he probably wouldn’t do that.

Thanks:
Gary Gross MOCOA Director