October 14, 2009
Union protests prison teacher layoffs
About 30 union members Wednesday protested the upcoming layoffs of prison teachers and staff members, saying the job cuts will lead to more crime and cause parolees to return to prison because they will lack education and skills.
The protest by members of Service Employees International Union Local 1000 specifically targeted Assembly Member Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford, because his district includes 14 prison and rehabilitation facilities.
Union members say about 230 of the laid-off workers, who could lose their jobs in January, live in Gilmore's district. About 800 prison teachers, supervisors and support staff in the adult rehabilitation programs statewide could be laid off, said Elizabeth Figgins, a spokeswoman for the adult programs of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation…
LINK - FresnoBee.com
