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North Dakota Corrections Officers Join AFSCME

North Dakota correctional officers with AFSCME banner
CO Brad Holt, vice president of ND Corrections United/
AFSCME Local 2857 (Council 59), announces the union's
formation at a Feb. 7 news conference.
Photo Credit: Mike McCleary, Bismarck Tribune
Corrections officers at two state prisons announced this week that they have formed their first union, called ND Corrections United/AFSCME Local 2857 (Council 59). The still-growing, 90-member unit soon will begin a survey to assess member needs in the areas of legislation, health, safety and benefits.

Local president and CO Terry Moravec explained the workers' reasons for joining AFSCME during a Feb. 7 press conference in Bismarck: "Our goal is an equal voice in decision-making on procedures and conditions of work. We want recognition for the value of our work; effective training to meet the special challenges of working in corrections; proper equipment for protection against inmate attacks; and facilities adequate to house the number of inmates assigned — with proper staffing levels."

The COs are employed at two Bismarck-area penal institutions: the maximum-security North Dakota State Penitentiary and the minimum-security Missouri River Correctional Center. They are also holding meetings with — and distributing literature to — COs at the medium-security Jamestown River Correctional Center, on the grounds of the North Dakota State Hospital in Jamestown and the Youth Correctional Center in Mandan, to provide officers at both institutions a voice at work through membership in the union. "The goal is to provide a united voice for corrections workers in North Dakota," said Moravec.

There is no right to collective bargaining in North Dakota. Until now, COs could have joined the North Dakota Public Employees Association. Moravec said they chose to join AFSCME Corrections United because of its focus on their unique issues. ACU represents more than 83,000 corrections officers and employees nationwide who, in his words, "are committed to maintaining professional standards that keep corrections workers and the public safe," he said. Click here for more about AFSCME's representation of corrections employees.

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