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Speakers Denounce Search, Call for Respect

Here's what speakers at the Sept. 28 press conference said:

Chapter 24 President Justin Jardine

Most of us know what it's like being at work and being told that management wants to see you, but who could imagine that when you reported to your manager... in your own office,... that you would be met by a state policeman,... questioned,... and told that if you liked your job, you'd take your clothes off and submit to a humiliating search.  It doesn't really sound possible, but it is and it has happened recently at the NH Department of Corrections.  Who would want to work in such a degrading workplace?  Unfortunately, some of us have to...

Union members gather at DOC headquarters to show unity during the Sept. 28 press conference and protest.

Morale at the State Prison for Men in Concord is at an all time low. Severe staffing shortages, mandatory forced overtime and increases in the inmate population have long made employment behind the walls a test of individual strength. Add the stress of working in a maximum-security prison, and the picture darkens.

This affects public safety because it has become very difficult for the department to recruit and retain the most qualified employees.

We are taking a stand today to demand change, to demand respect in the workplace.

We also want the people of New Hampshire to know that the anti-worker attitude of DOC management gets in our way when we try to provide an essential public service.

In order to maintain true security in the institution and provide quality public services, DOC employees need strong and supportive leadership. Today, they find just the opposite.

Employees do not feel that management is looking out for them or showing commitment for our mission.

This latest incident has pushed us to the limit. Today we say "No More!" No more disrespectful treatment. No more humiliation. No more heavy-handed management tactics.

We know that the public will hear our call for a fair, equitable workplace in an institution capable of protecting public safety.

Today, we are joined by other union brothers and sisters who recognize that a violation of an individual's rights and dignity is a threat to all of us.  I would like to introduce the first vice-president of the State Employees' Association, Beth Campbell.

SEA First Vice President Beth Campbell

An injury to one is an injury to all. 

I'm here today to tell the SEA members at the Department of Corrections that you are not alone in your fight for dignity and respect in the workplace.
 
We've got an army of over 8 thousand members, mobilized to ensure that your rights are protected.

And I'm here today to tell the management of this department and the general public that we - the 8 thousand of us - will not allow corrections workers to be victimized.

We will not sit by and let the rights of one single worker be violated, let alone the rights of an entire department of employees. 

This is not a single isolated incident for the Department of Corrections.  This is just another step in the escalating attacks against the rights of corrections employees.
 
When Craig Benson continually showed a lack of respect for hard working state employees and tried to privatize corrections, we came together and spoke with one loud voice. 

Today, I am asking all union members to come together again and demand accountability for the management of the Department of Corrections. 

Warden Cattell, Commissioner Curry . . . your continued lack of respect for hard working state employees who provide quality public services will not be tolerated. 

You have escalated the intimidation and turned the New Hampshire state prisons into Abu Gharaibs for the employees of these facilities.

Commissioner Curry, Warden Cattell . . . how can you ask corrections employees to go inside the walls into a stressful environment . . . more stressful than most people could imagine . . . in order to protect the rights of the citizens of New Hampshire,  when you are allowing those employees' rights to be violated. 

When you show disregard for your employees, you show disregard for the services they provide.  When you show disregard for public services, you expose your disregard for the people of New Hampshire who count on those services.  We, and the citizens of the Granite State, say NO MORE.

I would like to introduce you to Chuck Douglas, a civil rights attorney who was so disgusted by the department's dereliction that he felt he had to take action.  He has joined our fight to defend the rights of Hal McAlister and all other employees who are intimidated and disrespected.

Attorney Chuck Douglas

What separates America from the rest of the world is respect for the dignity and personal privacy of each of us.

There is nothing more humiliating than to be told if you like your job you should strip, bend over and submit to a visual cavity search.  We do not live in a third world dictatorship where such conduct is routine.  Your union and the rest of us in this state would rather live free or die.

This outrageous strip search should have consequences for all involved - or it will happen again.  Hal McAllister has the guts to stand before you because he does not want another state employee to ever have to go through what he endured.

Who is he?  Hal is 40 years old, married with a son and stepdaughter.  Hal was born here in Concord and graduated from Pembroke Academy.  He is a second generation prison employee because his father served for several years at the state prison as a lieutenant.

In 1984 Hal joined the United States Army and was honorably discharged three years later from the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Brag North Carolina.  A year later he was certified as a police officer after completing the New Hampshire Police Academy in 1988.

He has never been convicted or even arrested for a crime. 

He is a certified social worker who wanted to serve in the tough and unpleasant environment at the State Prison.  He has the guts to be here calling for the bureaucrats to apologize and pledge an end to this outrageous treatment of state employees.

SEA Members Call for Dignity and Respect
SEA Member Learns Important Lesson in Solidarity
Attorney Sees Civil Rights Violation in Strip Search