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Off Duty Vehicle Use Insurance
As everyone is aware, the Office has had to re-address the issue of off-duty vehicle use insurance coverage again. Facts and rumors are so intertwined that it is hard to have a clear understanding of just what is going on. A few years ago the issue was brought up and then faded away in a manner that gave us the misconception that it had become a non-issue. The current administration has been going through old policy to try to clean up both ambiguous policies and to finish issues that never were resolved. Bear in mind, most of what I write is MY take on the situation and NOT anything binding; I am as subject to the same bits and pieces of information as the rest of you but will be meeting with the administration to fill in the holes.
The proposed policy to require extra personal liability insurance for off duty use of the vehicles is, in my opinion, a measure to ensure that we are actually covered in the event of an off-duty accident. Here’s the kicker, this isn’t a change in County policy to pass the responsibility on to us. As I understand it this has always been the way the County was going to cover the vehicles in case of an off duty accident, we are just now being made aware of it so we can protect ourselves. The County is only going to provide off duty coverage to the State minimum levels (which are woefully inadequate to cover a good crash with just property damage, let alone an injury accident), just as has actually been the case all along but we weren’t all aware of this. Most of us have actually just been rolling the dice that we won’t be liable in an off duty accident. I believe it is better to have the cards on the table now rather than find out the hard way in the event of such an accident so we can prepare and obtain the coverage or plan to change our off duty driving habits. We have been blessed with a recent supreme court ruling which pretty much granted us 24/7 on-duty status for purposes of coverage to ourselves vis-à-vis Workmen’s Comp coverage should we be injured. This does nothing for any non-member passengers in our own vehicle. How often do some of us transport the entire family in the office vehicle?
So what do we do now? Many members went ahead and obtained the Non-owned Auto endorsements a few years ago and have no regrets about having done so. Several report costs from $2-$8/ month for such a plan. I propose we each research with our respective insurance companies as to rates and if they offer this as a stand-alone policy or if they require additional coverage with their agency before issuing such a policy. I will start a message board topic on the matter. I have my American Family agent researching for me and will post results and hope to have members report from a myriad of other agencies what they offer and for how much $. I have a $1 million liability umbrella that costs about $15/ month but, unfortunately, this does not apply to the vehicle coverage needed here. I am also going to research the possibility of group plan coverage through several union sources. We have our attorney looking into the matter as well. Unfortunately I don’t hold much hope of there being anything we can do legally because this is a privilege and not a granted or negotiated benefit that we have legal recourse to address. I have found many agencies across the country have similar policies for off duty use coverage. We’ll keep you informed.
Dirk
Download:
County Vehicle Insurance Coverage.pdf
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2008 Budget Proposal
On November 6th the employee organizations were afforded the opportunity to address the County Council about the 2008 Budget. I made the short-notice presentation (word did not get to me until 1700 hours Monday with a 0900 Tuesday presentation time) for the Federation. Sheriff Winder has been seeking funds to open Oxbow, pay increases for civilians, and a number of new staffing allocations for unincorporated areas, which we support, but I didn't want to let an opportunity pass by to remind the County Council of the pay disparity between Deputy Sheriffs and our counterparts with the other area agencies. The message was that they need to consider smaller but more frequent structural adjustments to Deputy pay to keep us competitive with the other agencies in the valley rather than try to make one big, painful adjustment every now and then. I also pointed out that retirees are going to the highest-paying agencies to double-dip (SLCPD, WVCPD, etc.) and by-passing the others (because it is all about the money at that point) and we don't want to loose out on these potential candidates because of the savings in training them.
I really didn't hold much hope of swaying the council to come up with a raise for us out of the goodness of their hearts when no one else was proposing a Deputy pay raise at this time but I did hope to plant a seed that it is necessary to keep us competitive and prior-planning is the way to do it. In the end the council voted for a 2.75% Merit, 3% COLA and 1% Longevity (1% cash or 1.1% in 401k since county doesn't have to pay FICA on 401k contributions) for ALL county employees. It looks as if insurance and dental are going up some; I will post the totals soon. I am linking my little presentation for reference. Dirk
Download:
2008 Budget Process.ppt
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2008 Election Notice
Updated
On: Mar 31, 2008 (14:40:00)
As I posted earlier, this year the offices of Vice President and Secretary were up for election. Vice President Mike Lee ran for the same office unopposed and Gene VanRoosendaal was the only candidate for Secretary. Per our bylaws, when there is no opponent for an office, the sole candidate is declared the victor by default. On behalf of the Federation membership, I extend thanks to Mike and Gene for accepting the responsibilities of their respective positions and lending their abilities to the continued success of our organization. Dirk
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New Year, Where Do We Go?
Updated
On: Jan 17, 2008 (13:48:00)
Another year has come and gone with subtle yet significant changes in the office. Sheriff Winder has undoubtedly had an interesting year learning the political machine. We have made many strides forward and a few backwards as well, specifically with Cottonwood Heights. Even though we fought the good fight and still lost, we were able to establish that unified voices will be heard and we can make a significant impact in our communities. Had Cottonwood Heights allowed the public to vote on the matter of self-providing, I am confident that the general public would have supported continuing service with the Sheriff's Office.
So, what does the new year hold for the Federation? Why don't YOU tell us what direction and issues you think we should be working on by commenting in a message board forum. We are going to have our annual general membership meeting in March where the new candidates for Vice President and Secretary will be announced. If you have a desire to be more active and wish to run for one of the offices please contact us via email or phone and we will put you on the ballot. We will be putting more info about the election and meeting on this site soon.
Dirk
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Utah's Law Enforcement Memorial
Posted
On: Mar 04, 2007 (03:38:59)
We have been asked to provide 10-78 for the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial Project. All the police union's in this state as well as other interested parties are being contacted and thier assistance is being requested also.
Until recently, a small memorial in the State Capitol Rotunda has honored the sacrifice of these men and women. In 2005, extensive renovations to the State Capitol necessitated the removal of the memorial from the Rotunda. A location on the west side of the Capitol was selected for the contruction of a new memorial.
This is an important project and it is time we honor our fallen brother's and sisters. We will be working with the Project coordinators with fundraising for the memorial's construction. The Utah State Legislature approved partial funding of the construction. We need to assist in raising the remainder.
If you are interested in helping coordinate our efforts or have any fundraising ideas, please contact the Federation Board. As members, we are asking that each member personally donate a minimum of $20.00 toward this cause. For now, please send your donation to any Executive Board member. Let's show our strength and unity. Deputies of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office have paid the ultimate price, let's honor them and thier families with this tribute.
Please visit the project's website, www.utahsfallen.org for more information.
The attached photo is an artists rendering of what the memorial is to look like.
In Solidarity,
Shawn Roberts
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Employee Intervention System
Updated
On: Oct 03, 2007 (11:45:00)
The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is working on an Employee Intervention System (EIS). This is a computerized database, which will look for “Red Flags” in each employee’s performance. This system is designed to identify employees who are showing symptoms of problematic behavior.
We are told that if an employee meets certain thresholds, within certain criteria, the concept is to divert the employee and assist him or her to get back on track with their career. We are told this is non-disciplinary is meant to add a tool for supervisors to deal with issues in a non-disciplinary manner. The system prevents employees with issues from falling between the cracks when we change supervisors frequently.
Although the system will be set up through the I.A. computer system, I.A. is not and will not be involved in it. The system will be ran by and monitored by Human Resources.
The EIS system is currently in use by many major police agencies across the nation. It was mandated by Consent Decree on LAPD, but many other agencies have implemented it voluntarily since.
We researched this EIS system with other agencies Unions, where it is currently in use. Almost all of the unions stated the system is a good thing. The general view was that EIS was preventing members from getting to a point where discipline would be the only means of dealing with problem issues.
The Sheriff’s Office has asked for employee input into this program and we have been attending the planning meetings. We are still learning about EIS and will keep the membership advised of updates.
If any member has any concerns or comments, please contact me, Shawn Roberts. We are very interested in what our members feel.
In Solidarity,
Shawn Roberts
FYI: The PAC Committee has addressed the EIS system and feels the program, in its current design, does not fulfill the intention of implementing such a system and would more than likely be be ineffective. It IS possible to design an effective system which we could support using; the current design just seems to have too many shortcomings and will not be implemented. Dirk
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Introducing the Union Chaplain
Updated
On: Mar 04, 2007 (04:14:00)
We have hired former Sheriff's Office Chaplain, Brian Robertson, as our Union Chaplain. He will be available to assist members 24/7. He is and will be a great asset to the Union. If in need of Chaplain Services, please contact any board member or contact Brian directly at 638-1713, however don't be surprised if he initiates contact with you.
Welcome Aboard, Chaplain Robertson.
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Tell Congress: Restore Workers’ Freedom to Form Unions!
Some 57 million U.S. workers say they would join a union if they could. But when workers try to gain a union voice on the job, employers respond with intimidation, harassment and retaliation. And our labor laws are too weak to stop them.
The Employee Free Choice Act would ensure that when a majority of employees in a workplace decide to form a union, they can do so without the debilitating obstacles employers now use to block their free choice.
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C.U.F.F. CANCER CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP FORM 2008.doc
