Duty availability
The police department gets paid for "duty availability," and if we're not wrong, it's because they're on call and are mandated to be available if called in to work, unless they're on furlough (any cops reading, feel free to correct us).
Shouldn't we get the same thing? The union might consider that just one simple glance at some statistics (wherever they're kept) would show how many dollars have been spent on mandatory overtime just within the last two or three years, including a couple of cancelled days off here and there (remember the summer system crash?). If we're subject to disciplinary action if we don't stay for mandatory overtime, why don't we get the same duty availability pay? We think we should, but then what do we know.
posted by CPDDispatch @ 12:05 AM
10 Comments:
I don't know if we are eligible for
"duty availibility"
but I definitely believe there should be shift differential pay.
I.e. Third watch alone handles over 50 % of the work load (bad for your health stress). 1st watch is unhealthy too, studies have shown messing with the circadian rhythms puts your immunity system out of whack, higher rate of heart, pressure and sugar related diseases.
Duty Availability has nothing to due with being available. It was a way to give more to the CPD without the CFD getting it too. Have your union work towards it in your contract. You have nothing to loose
I agree on both aspects, duty availability & shift differential. On the latter , 2nd watch would get nothing extra , so we need to push to get BOTH! I worked in private sector for major chemical company and we had a 24/7 operation too and you can be sure the union plant guys had that shift differential in their contract.
Also , how many of you knew that the CFD has a "me too" clause in their contract (like we had in the OLD room contract) to include stuff that CPD gets? I don't know what those perks might be......maybe a CFD or CPD reader can answer this.
Duty availability also goes towards the law which a peace officer is on duty 24/7, and must take some type of police action when crimes are observed.
Duty availability has nothing to do with 24/7, it's that you are available during your lunch 1/2 hour and your pwersonals...add it up thats what it is. Ask a copper and he will tell you. It makes no sense to guess nor to think you know what it is only to be wrong.
The only action we are OBLIGATED to take off-duty is that if Dialing 9-1-1 and identifying ourself as ODPO, including star #
9:44, that doesn't make any sense to a dispatcher. We can deny you lunch, but once you are on it we are forbidden to take you off of it.
Could you mean personals?
Anyway, my understanding is the same as that of the original poster. The two ultimate plans in the city are something like a Plan Red and a Plan Blue (maybe in opposite order). One or both include the implementation of ordering EVERY sworn off-duty officer back onto duty, with limited exceptions. I'm not sure, but I always thought duty availability was to compensate for that sort of exigency availability. Also, mandatory changes in work hours, etc. etc.
Its gotta be spelled out somewhere, and we should have to take your word for it nor you ours. Perhaps its in your contract?
I could be wrong, but it would be interesting to see it in writing.
Duty Availability is called many things depending on who your talking to. Exactly what its for is not spelled clearly out in the hand contract book. The notations on what it means in depth would be in the negotiating notebooks which the average Officer would not be allowed to see, the table talk notes are too juicy. Some refer to it as a cost of living, its also wound in availability and the requirement that Police are to take action as needed on and off duty. Yes, dialing 911 is also considered effective. Were glad your there.
www.honorablestar.blogspot.com
You guys get unlimited overtime and now youwant duty availability? Take the police test and you can have it.
yes, we DO want it all. Why shouldn't we get everything we can from this crappy city?
Post a Comment
<< Home