Collier deputies face unionization question

The mail-in ballots will be sent to nearly 300 deputies and will be counted by the Public Employees Relations Commission on Dec. 16, union organizers say.

Collier Sheriff Don Hunter has dismissed the idea of a union, saying that the $336 union dues that deputies would pay to the Florida Police Benevolent Association wouldn't guarantee that he'd agree to any terms of any contract offered. He says he isn't required to agree to any terms, but must bargain in good faith. He said his employees would be throwing away their raises.

Union organizer sheriff's Cpl. John Bartis said there were enough positive votes from the deputies eligible for the bargaining unit to take the next step of a vote. The commission says of the approximately 289 employees to be represented, 167 returned cards showing interest in a union vote. At least 30 percent is needed.

He said deputies have problems with being "at-will" employees and want job security. They also think a grievance procedure which allows a third party to be involved as well as more paid holidays and a 40-hour, not a 43-hour, work week could be more likely if they unionized.

A January Florida Supreme Court ruling allows collective bargaining units within sheriff's offices. In the past, only corrections officers had that chance.

Last month, there were sessions called mandatory by the Collier Sheriff's Office which were held for employees to inform deputies how unions work. PBA officials handed out leaflets about the advantages of unions and said they were well-received.

Since the sheriff's decision to block the distribution of mail about the union effort, several deputies are paying for a Web site, www.vote-yes-collier-pba.com, to get information about the union out to agency members, which include those of the rank of deputy and corporal.

"We've been unable to reach deputies. They're only hearing one side of the story," Bartis said.