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Mangano's Layoff Plans Jeopardizes Safety at Nassau County Correctional Center

Written by William Corbett  |  30. November 2011

(Hicksville, NY - November 30, 2011) The Nassau County Sheriff Officers Association (ShOA), the union representing the county's more than 1,000 Correction Officers, opposes Nassau County Executive Mangano's choice to abandon negotiations and move forward with Ordinance #604-11, which would lay off more than 430 Nassau County employees and demote 200 others before the end of the year. The decision to reduce the county's workforce is part of Mangano's proposed plan to close the county's $310 million budget deficit for 2012. Executive Managano's plan would cut 435 county workers through layoffs or retirements. An additional 217 workers would be demoted into lower-paid positions, and 183 open positions would not be filled. The layoffs would occur before the end of the 2011, and additional layoffs are expected before in 2012 unless an additional $75 million can be cut from the budget. Executive Mangano's ordinance will have severe repercussions on staffing and safety at the maximum security Nassau County Correctional Center. The plan calls for the demotion in rank and salary grade of 45 Corporals. The plan also stipulates that the county will not hire or replace previously budgeted positions in 2012 including 25 Correction Officers, 3 Corporals, 1 Sergeant, and 1 Lieutenant. "Reductions in staff and supervisory positions at the Nassau County Correctional Center will create a dangerous environment for Correction Officers, inmates, visitors, and all workers in the jail. When staff is reduced, violent incidents and injuries increase. Adequate supervision is important to maintain a secure, functioning, and cost effective environment. We are committed to ensuring that our members work in as safe a workplace as possible. Correction Officers perform a dangerous job, and these cuts will make it more dangerous. The union is always willing to work with the county, but safety must be the most important concern," said Brian Sullivan, President of the Nassau County Sheriff Officers Association. "County Executive Mangano's 2012 budget seriously cuts the tools for providing the core mission of the County, protecting the health and safety of citizens. When you cut to the bone, you're putting the public, Correction Officers, and inmates at risk," said John Jaronczyk, 1st Vice President of the Nassau County Sheriff Officers Association. The Sheriff Officers Association is the union representing more than 1,000 Correction Officers in Nassau County. The Sheriff Officers Association is recognized by the County of Nassau as the exclusive and unchallenged negotiating representative for collective negotiations with respect to rates of pay, salaries, hours, grievances and other terms and conditions of employment for all employees in the negotiating unit. For more information, visit www.ncshoa.org. -END-

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