By Sascha Cordner
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-990074.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – A labor union recently filed a federal complaint against the Florida Department of Corrections. As Sascha Cordner reports, The Teamsters Union is asking the U-S Department of Labor to investigate why prison workers are getting shortchanged in their pay.
Michael Filler with the Teamsters Union claims correctional officers are experiencing repeated wage theft at the Florida Department of Corrections. So, he says they not only want an investigation, they also want the Governor to step in:
"These men and women, they put their lives, on the line every day, and they're not being effectively and properly compensated for that. And, that's why we're asking for Governor to stop the wage theft and direct the Department to comply with the law."
But, Matt Puckett, with the Florida Police Benevolent Association says the U-S Supreme Court has already ruled the state has immunity over these types of claims. He says it's just a stunt by the Teamsters Union because they're anxious to get media attention after the PBA was successful in their suit against the state to stop prison privatization in Florida.