What are the unions good for

First AZCPOA - They take 70% of all the dues money and pay it to the board members & reps. Over $150,000.00 last year alone. (Don't believe me? Look it up on the AZ Corporation Commission's website, (AZCPOA reported it to the State themselves). In 2010 they reported losing $30,000.00 for the year! So, now you know why when you’re at the Unit your local AZCPOA rep is smiling! You would be better off burning your hard earned cash in the parking lot.

Second, even though he claims it's a setup, a State Grand Jury agreed to indict the AZCPOA Sgt-of-Arms (another dues paid for rep), for forgery, (over 20 counts!). But, he seems to only been put on "special assignment" at Alhambra. WTF! He's arrested, booked into MCSO and his mug shot is the, "mug shot of the day," for TWO days and this POS still have a job at the prison? He steals your money from you and still has a job? I guess the fat lady has yet to sing on that one. Oh BTW, your AZCPOA dues money is probably paying for his defense! But hey, you sign up three of your brothers in brown and you get a FREE badge. Please kill me now. Oh, btw, please welcome all the brothers and sisters from the State Mental Hospital to your ranks. I'm sure that they enjoyed all the FREE T-shirts and baseball hats that your dues paid for, (do they get free badges too?).

So, then there is ACA. ....., then there is FOP44. It's no surprise that this site is pro FOP. But, why? I'll tell you why. FOP has been in this fight for over 30 years and has had flesh in the game for all that time. That’s longer than all the others put together. So, why does it seem that they are ineffective? The reason is, FOP thinks that your PRIVATE issues are PRIVATE, so they don't go out sending out FLUFF newsletters with all the WINS, (I've got tiger blood), that AZCPOA has done. And most DOC staff is blinded by all the FREE HATS and T-Shirts from AZCPOA, and don't forget about the free badges! It's really simple. The FOP dues are broken down as following: 70% to the legal fund and 30% to running Lodge for Lodge Members. That does not leave a lot for buying FOP hats and t-shirts for the members. Out of the 30%, that goes into servicing the members with help with Supervisor Complaints, (or whatever it's called today). Grievances, appeals, lodge rental, etc., (are you asleep yet?), I get ******* when people ask, "What are the unions good for?" and then come crying when your POS Supervisor writes you up for _________ (fill in the blank), and your first call is to the UNION to sign up to help you. I think they should tell you to F#$K off, but I've heard time and time again that FOP takes care of you even though you were not a member at the time. Oh, another bit of trivial **** about AZCPOA - they tell the NEW cadets at COTA that they will give them FREE AZCPOA Memberships - Free union protection for an uncovered position?! But hey, it's free money for the union right? Cause hey, when you’re fired, who can they complain to? They are probationary employees. AZCPOA says that FOP is for the Police. True, but FOP44 are also the second largest FOP lodge in AZ and have a major voice in State FOP business. One member has one vote. That's it. There is no puppet master, (CWA), holding the strings. Your vote really counts. FOP44 states, via their website, that they are ran by Correctional Officers for Correctional Officers. The leadership is NOT PAID. They do it because they believe in what FOP stands for. With over three-hundred-and-fifty thousand members of FOP, I think that they have their **** together and I can say that they did not lose $30,000.00 last year. I recommend that you join FOP in the fight this year! Put your money into the legal defense fund and not into the pockets of your AZPCOA reps - let them work for your money. See FOP44 at www.azfop44.net./rant.