FROM YOUR CWA/NCPSO REPRESENTATIVE:
Since the affiliation of the West Virginia Troopers Association with the CWA/National Coalition of Public Safety Officers (NCPSO), some of you may have asked the question, “what has the Union done for us?”
Prior to the affiliation, the WVTA Leadership was successful in getting a bill killed that would have put in place a Civilian Review Board for the State Police. This was possible thru the efforts of myself representing CWA and the leadership of the W.Va. AFL-CIO.
During the last 3 years, I have worked closely with the WVTA President, Officers and Members of the Executive Board on the Legislative Agendas set forth by the Board. The CWA National /District 2 offices have provided financial contributions for a Public Survey and major billboard campaign to promote and advocate pay raises for the State Troopers. CWA Locals Statewide have made monetary contributions to the Association, as well as sending officers and members wearing red to participate in the “Troopers Show Up Day” at the Capitol. Many of them have joined each of you in making calls, sending e-mails and letters to the Senators and Delegates expressing their support for pay and benefits improvements. There has been assistance to members from the CWA District Relief Fund who have suffered losses from flooding and fires.
Together, we were successful in getting a Political Activity Bill passed that allows State Police out of uniform to participate in political activities – the same right that all other public employees have. Another bill that had been passed allows Lifetime Concealed Weapons Permits for Retired State Troopers. Both bills were passed in the second Legislative Session after having them introduced.
We have over the last 3 years educated the Legislators and Governor as to the many functions of a State Trooper’s job with the pay being totally inadequate to recruit and retain Troopers. This has involved a lot of time talking one on one with Legislators and the Governor. I have been at the Capitol every day during the Regular Sessions, Special Sessions and the Legislative Interims working with your WVTA Leadership and on behalf of you. Prior to this year’s regular session, we were able to get a commitment from Governor Manchin and the Legislative Leadership that would provide for a pay raise for the State Troopers. Those bills have been introduced – SB 503 and HB 4410 and the Senate agreed to run their bill first – it has passed the Senate on 3-1-06 and is now in the House being referred to Government Organization and Finance. In discussions with Speaker Kiss and Finance Chairman Michael both are supportive of the bill and should be taken up in the committees this week. SB 604 – the Disability Revert bill has passed the Senate on 3-1-06 and is being sent to the House. I have been told by Pensions and Retirement Chairman Stalnaker, the bill will be on the Committee’s agenda this Wednesday at 10:00 A.M. with a second reference to House Finance. We will continue to follow both bills this week. We are cautiously optimistic of both bills passing. There is also HB 4654 that has been amended and passed out of the House that would offset the PEIA premium increases set to take effect July 1st. In the Legislative world – it’s never over until the gavels go down at midnight on the final day of the regular session, which in our case is this Saturday, March 11th.
Please know that you have the support of the 14 CWA/IUE Locals in W.Va. as well as the ore than 140,000 active and retired members of the West Virginia AFL-CIO standing with you!
I will provide you with another update soon.
Elaine Harris,
CWA International Representative
