July 15, 2010
Attended a Union Meeting for the First Time in 15 Years - by Ben J.
Mr. Mike Jimenez,
My name is Ben J. and I am a Correctional Officer at Folsom State Prison. I have been with CDCR for 20 years. I am writing to express my appreciation, opinions, and maybe a few analogies from my work experience.
I was able to attend the last union meeting on June 26th in Sacramento and stayed for the duration of the meeting. I would like to personally thank you and all of your staff for your time, sacrifices, dedication, and the passion that you have towards your important positions.
Before June 26th, 2010 I personally had not attended a union meeting for approximately 15 years. I don't want to say that I am a "Hater", as some say, but I fell into the "stories" that accumulate fiction as they go from person to person.
As we all know, times are bad with the state and we are personally being blamed for the inability of our Governor and all of our lawmakers to do, not only their jobs, but the right thing. We are being villainized and blamed, when in reality we are the ones doing the right thing by voting, being committed to our jobs, paying into the system, and taking care of our families. Our Governor seems to think that he is a dictator and not in America, but some oppressed country. His threats, not only to the employees of CDCR, but to all state workers are immoral, uncaring and just plain wrong. I do however, believe that in the end, good will overcome the bad which will be forgotten.
The employees of CDCR, good, dedicated, hard working professionals, that in a split second are required to make the right decisions. These employees have seen and done things that others could never fathom. I believe our Governor and lawmakers forget that and don't want to believe the daily dangers we face. I invite them to walk in my shoes and experience the anxiety, fear, frustration, and dismissive feeling that I believe has literally taken part of my life from me. These government officials, our administrators, and the Warden say they know, or understand, but no one expresses it by backing us verbally or by written documentation.
Shame on them, we are the ones who run the prisons in good times and bad.
With all this expressed, I continue to come to work, though my enthusiasm and spirit are damaged. I feel like a war torn destroyer trying to make his way back to port. This is
the feeling of the majority. Something good has to come out of all this wrongdoing. I know it will.
I would like to thank Scott Lamphere and all of his council for their time and sacrifice. I know it is not easy, especially in the present time, to please everyone. There is a lot of negative expression from people who want instant satisfaction, when they do nothing but complain. Thank you to all local councils for your time and sacrifices.
Respectfully,
Ben J.
July 10, 2010
