Why You Should Become a Member of 

Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102,

Fraternal Order of Police

In four years P.O.S.T Correctional Staff received one 2% pay raise.  During the same period health care cost increased.  Gasoline prices jumped from $.98 a gallon to $3.00 a gallon; food clothing and other cost quickly followed.   In February 2005, Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102, Fraternal Order of Police was chartered and during that same month, the commissioner of corrections announced corrections officers would receive a 2%-4% pay raise, which would take effect in January 2007.  In March 2006, two weeks after our lodge was charted nine corrections officers attended Trooper’s Day on the Hill at the state capital. The event was scheduled and sponsored by Georgia Troopers Lodge #100 and Georgia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. At the event an announcement was made that a vote was being taken which would give P.O.S.T certified public safety officers an additional 3%-5% pay increase. As public safety officers, correctional officers would, also, receive the additional increase.  Officers in higher ranks did not receive the additional 3%-5% increase but will receive the additional amount beginning in January 2008. It was, also, announced later that health care rates would not be raised in 2006.

Why did corrections officers receive the additional money and freeze on health care rates?  During Lodge 102’s April 2006 lodge meeting, which was attended by two state representatives, one representative stated, “Had it not been for the Fraternal Order of Police you (Corrections) would not have received the extra money”.  Because of Georgia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police and Eighty-Four charter members who founded Lodge 102, approximately 8,000 Correctional Officers received an additional 3%-5% pay increase.

January 1, 2008 all state employees will receive a 3% pay increase.  Added to the 2007 pay increase the total increase is 6%-10%.  Yes, additional pay increases have been given to some officers.  No, we do not want any officer to lose those increases.  We want all officers to receive equal and fair pay at all locations as well as monetary pay for overtime instead of flex time.  Georgia Department of Corrections did not request any pay increase for veteran officers in its 2009 budget request.  The department did request a substantial increase in starting pay.  We, the Georgia State Corrections Lodge, are requesting that you and your family members contact your elected officials and ask them to equally and fairly include veteran officers in any 2009 pay increase.

At the request of Georgia State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, later in 2006 a pay study was commissioned and conducted by the Georgia House of Representatives. The study concluded that Georgia Corrections pay is below the average pay of states surrounding Georgia.  Florida Corrections pay which is substantially higher was not included in the study.  As a result of the study requested by the Fraternal Order of Police, the Georgia legislature voted to give Georgia Trooper’s a substantial increase.  The Georgia House of Representatives pay study recommended that the legislature start correcting correction’s pay in 2010. Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102, Fraternal Order of Police is requesting that the legislature address and completely correct corrections pay during the next session of the legislature, January 2008.

Numbers influence!  You count!  Contact your state politicians! Ask them to address our pay issues!  If you are not already a member, join with your fellow officers and become a member today. During seventeen years as a correctional officer I have often heard the statement, “They are not going to do anything”.  You and I are they.  What are you going to do?  If you do not stand up for you, who will? Your silence is consent.

Charles Long

Vice President

Georgia State Corrections Lodge #102,