How much is a plate of spaghetti at the Dutchess County Jail? Inmates, of course, eat gratis – taxpayers foot the bill. Now, county officials say residents will save $1 million annually under a plan to dismiss the jail chefs and outsource to a food service vendor.
The county has reached an agreement with the Dutchess County Sheriff Employees Association (DCSEA), the labor union that represents the jail kitchen staff and correction officers. As part of a larger contract agreement, the kitchen’s 20 employees will be offered a severance package of $3,500 plus one week’s pay for each year of service, in addition to nine months of health, dental and vision insurance. The workers are being encouraged to look for other county jobs, though few have found positions at present.
It costs the county three times more to prepare meals than it would cost a large food service vendor, according to a press release from the Dutchess County Personnel Department. Part of the savings will result from using inmates to help with meal preparation. In addition, the county will no longer provide meals to the 287 members of the union.
DCSEA members ratified the agreement with the county by a margin of three to one. The agreement got the stamp of approval from Dutchess County legislators, who approved it on Nov. 12 by a unanimous vote (legislators Suzanne Horn, R-Town of Poughkeepsie/Pleasant Valley, and David Seymour, R-Red Hook, were absent). Legislator Joel Tyner (D-Rhinebeck/Clinton) questioned the wisdom of laying off workers who might “end up at DSS (Department of Social Services).”
“I’m not a huge fan of privatization or outsourcing,” he said, though he voted in favor of ratification.
In addition to restructuring the jail’s food service operation, the agreement also provides a cost of living increase of 3.9 percent for 2007 through 2009 and 4 percent in 2010 as well as modest increases to the salary schedule.
Newly hired corrections officers will now enter a 12-month training program and receive reduced pay until completion under the new contract.
The agreement also introduces an early retirement incentive for corrections officers with 25 years or service. The county estimates $20,000 in savings for each officer that retires and is replaced by a trainee. 60 officers will reach retirement age during the contract term.
“Labor negotiations can be challenging, but this agreement represents a balanced compromise for both sides,” said Earl Bruno, Dutchess County commissioner of personnel.
County Executive William Steinhaus also called the agreement fair. “In any contract negotiation process, my goal is to structure a settlement that is fair to these dedicated employees, while at the same time being mindful of the impact on county taxpayers,” said Steinhaus. “I think we have achieved this.”