By Sascha Cordner
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-994654.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – After more than 30 years, the Florida Police Benevolent Association lost its bid to represent the state's corrections and probationary officers. Sascha Cordner has more.
In an election Thursday, Florida's correctional officers chose the Teamsters over the Florida Police Benevolent Association as their new collective bargaining agent. Michael Filler is with the Teamsters Union:
"We were elated in the fact that the FDOC officers showed so much faith in us and wanted a new course and a new voice in representing them in the workplace."
Matt Puckett with the Florida Police Benevolent Association says he also saw the officers wanted a change:
"We've been the incumbent for a long time and the Teamsters message was pretty simple: you've had the PBA for awhile, why don't you try us? And enough of them that voted decided that was a message worth looking at and giving a shot at."
Puckett says the PBA still intends to continue with its challenge to block prison privatization in Florida and pursue a state pension lawsuit.