Unregistered
June 13th, 2003, 01:15 PM
Another April 1 has gone by and over 20,000 New York correction officers are working without a contract. Most people probably don't know that every four years our contracts expire, and we wait for months or even years to finally get a raise that barely covers the cost of living.
The Buffalo Police Department has approved a raise with the state's help, giving its officers a $16,000 raise over four years. The New York State Police have also received a timely 15 percent raise over the next two years.
The media, along with the general public, forget about convicted felons once the trial is over and they are sent to state prison. Unfortunately, correction officers have been forgotten as well. We walk the toughest beat in the country, with no sidearm or mace, just the ability to communicate and keep a level head. We are left to break up gang fights, get spit on, have feces and urine thrown at us and work in one of the most disease-infested atmospheres. We get to eat alongside the same convicted felons nobody else wants to deal with. It's time someone from our state capital steps up to the plate and takes care of the correction officers.
CHRIS CERNE
North Collins
www.buffalo.com
The Buffalo Police Department has approved a raise with the state's help, giving its officers a $16,000 raise over four years. The New York State Police have also received a timely 15 percent raise over the next two years.
The media, along with the general public, forget about convicted felons once the trial is over and they are sent to state prison. Unfortunately, correction officers have been forgotten as well. We walk the toughest beat in the country, with no sidearm or mace, just the ability to communicate and keep a level head. We are left to break up gang fights, get spit on, have feces and urine thrown at us and work in one of the most disease-infested atmospheres. We get to eat alongside the same convicted felons nobody else wants to deal with. It's time someone from our state capital steps up to the plate and takes care of the correction officers.
CHRIS CERNE
North Collins
www.buffalo.com