D.K. Jones for COBA President
Under my leadership, the executive board will commit itself to the mission statement of the organization of COBA. We will focus our agenda on the accumulation of power to achieve the goals of future protection of the rights and benefits of our members.
COBA’S Internal Administrative Agenda for the first six months in office.
Complete Independent financial Audit of the last 6 years
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Financial auditing is an accounting process used in business. It uses an independent body to examine a COBA’s financial transactions and statements. The ultimate purpose of financial auditing is to present an accurate account of a COBA’s financial business transactions. The practice is used to make sure that the company is trading financially fairly, and also that the accounts they are presenting to the members of COBA are accurate and justified.
Restructure Delegate Positions and powers within current by-law structure.
As an elected union official, delegates have the responsibility of representing union members of COBA. A union delegate is also responsible for ensuring that members understand what is happening with their union and that the union understands the issues which are important to the members in that particular workplace. As President I will institute mandatory yearly training and purpose a by-laws change only to restructure the delegates back to 1 representative per shift in each division. For example; 7-3 Jail, 1 delegate; 7-3 Pen, 1 delegate; 7-3 Annex 1 delegate and so on. This will increase visibility and accountability of COBA delegates to the membership they was elected to serve.
Interview and hire new law firm
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We will interview new law firms for the new direction of COBA. Many members have been unhappy with the results of our present COBA attorneys. Many officers have hired outside lawyers to obtain service that historically have been free for COBA members. This is unacceptable; especially at the cost of $150,000.00 per year that includes contract negotiations, when they haven’t successfully negotiated ANY contract.
Interview and hire new lobbying firm
Interview and retain new lobbying firm. Under President Alonzo West, COBA only recently retained a lobbyist firm. This was a weak attempt to cover-up his dismal legislative record which has produced nothing positive for COBA members.
Legislative Agenda
Under my leadership, I will utilize my current political clout and establish strong relationships with other law makers to preserve passed legislative protections. In addition, I will draft, propose and lobby for new legislative protections for correction officers and their families.
Correction Officer Saliva Bill: This bill will provide a stiffer penalty against any inmate who spits on a correction officer. This will create a deterrent for the inmates and add a much needed protection for the officers. The bill will upgrade from a third degree assault, a class C misdemeanor to a class E Felony
Correction Officer Farmer Assault Bill: This bill will create a deterrent for inmates and reduce the number of assaults against correction officers. The bill will require a 7 year consecutive mandatory sentence of an inmate who is found guilty of assaulting a correction officer.
NY State Correction Officer Safety Bill: This bill also serves as a deterrent against officer assaults by allowing money from a civil judgment to be deducted from the wages, gratuities or workers' compensation benefits of an inmate who engaged in the attack. This bill will be similar to the bill HB 3008 purposed by Rep. Tom Nealey, R-Dayton.
NY State ¾ Disability law: As President, I would lobby and draft legislation that will extend the protection to officers who are permanently injured in the scope of their duties in a non-inmate related incident. This will protect our Emergency Service Unit members and any others who are required to respond to on-site and off-site civilian related disturbances.
Protect Anti- Privatization Law: As President I will vigorously lobby against any attempt to repeal our Anti-Privatization protection, which is exclusive to the Westchester County Correction Officers.
Protect Overtime Pension Laws and Regulations: As President, I will vigorously lobby against any attempted changes that would erode our ability to include overtime as part of our final average salary at retirement.
As President, I will reestablish relationships with correction officer organization throughout the state of New York and on a national level. This constant communication and networking will keep COBA and its members informed of any new legislation, policies, procedures state wide and on a National level. It will also preserve the current protections that have been secured by COBA years ago. It’s time to take COBA out of the “Stone Age.”
COBA Committees
The following committees will remain intact:
Negotiation Committee ,Grievance Committee ,Labor Management Committee, Post Bid Committee, Legislative Committee and Widows and Orphans.
New Proposed Committees for COBA membership.
Retirement Committee
The Retirement Committee will be responsible for development of and disbursement of retirement information for those COBA members ready for retirement. The Retirement will host a meeting twice a year with potential COBA retirees and COBA retirees to assist in retirement needs.
Public Relations Committee
Responsible for the development of programs to foster much needed public awareness and engineer respect for the dedicated men and women who work as correction officers at the Westchester County Department of Correction. This committee will also be responsible for the formulation and implementation of a quarterly COBA newsletter.
Event Committee
Active participation will ensure that events are successfully implemented. The time commitment will vary for each event. Committee members are responsible for:
Assisting in the planning and execution of events which may include:
Golf Event -Correction Officer Recognition Events - Holiday Party - Family BBQ
Westchester County Correction Officer Foundation
The Westchester County Correction Officer Foundation is dedicated to preventing crime, saving lives and making our community a better and safer place to live and work by assisting the Westchester County correction officers with resources not available from the County.
The correction Officer Foundation board of directors will be made up of active and retired officers, civic and business leaders of Westchester County. The Correction Officer Foundation will support programs designed to help the dedicated officers of the WDOC keep pace with rapidly evolving technology, strategies and training. The Correction Officer Foundation will assist in purchasing state of the art, national certified equipment for Correction Officers ; especially those officers that work in ERT, Transportation, Lobby, Perimeter post.
D.K.Jones
COBA's Action Plan
