As many of you already know the CFPBA has gone through some changes recently.  In November 2011 elections were held at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office regarding union representation.  The choices were PBA, FOP or no union. 

As we all know the FOP is now the bargaining unit for the OCSO.  I wish them success, because if they are successful the members of the OCSO are successful.  Personnel at the OCSO are well overdue for raises.  We have seen our paychecks go down rather than up and it’s time that changed.  The men and women at the OCSO have sacrificed much and in return we get higher insurance rates, no raise and have to pay into our retirement.  But let’s not forget who built the foundation for future union contracts, the CFPBA.  We will be back, but in the meantime, we must stand together and support the FOP’s fight for your benefits. 

Just so everyone is clear, you can remain a member of PBA and still vote for any contract the FOP presents to the bargaining unit.  You DO NOT have to be an FOP member.  Don’t risk not having the benefits of a PBA membership should you be involved in a shooting or other significant incident by not staying a PBA member!  Our attorneys are the best there are and have years of experience in defending your rights.  If you have not signed up for bank draft for PBA membership you need to do so immediately.  FOP cannot protect you like the PBA can.  There is comfort in knowing that if you’re involved in a shooting at 3 am or any other time for that matter, all you have to do is call the 800 number and an attorney is on the way to protect YOU, not the agency.

Just after the choice of union vote was decided another vote for new Board members was held.  New Board members were elected, however, with the loss of the OCSO bargaining unit this changed the number of seats available to members of the OCSO on the CFPBA Board.  For those that do not know John Park was not re-elected as President.

In December 2011 a decision was made by the Florida PBA to place CFPBA in Trusteeship for an undetermined amount of time.  This decision was based primarily upon the loss of the OCSO bargaining unit and the change this would bring to the makeup of the CFPBA board.  The Florida PBA Executive Committee voted for this to take place January 1, 2012, and I was appointed as the Trustee.  My responsibilities are equal to that of President.  I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CFPBA.  The Florida PBA will appoint a Board of Trustees once the membership of the OCSO has leveled off and it can be determined how many seats the OCSO will have on the board.

The CFPBA represents several Central Florida Law Enforcement agencies and is far from being gone.  The CFPBA is still a strong voice in Central Florida and will continue to be that voice.  We will continue to work hard to protect the rights of those that choose to protect and serve our communities.  I have recently met with the representatives from several of those agencies to let them know the CFPBA is still here and ready to assist them in any way.

I would like to extend a sincere “Thank You” to John Park for his dedication over the past 10 years to CFPBA.  John Park has done a tremendous and sometimes thankless job for all the members of the CFPBA.  Having served on the board for the past four years and also as the VP, I had first hand experience with John’s leadership.  I have to say that there was no one that cared more or did more than John when it came to fighting for your rights.  I truly believe he was an asset to the CFPBA in ways most do not know because John is not the kind of person that “blows his own horn”.  Again, thank you John for all you did for the CFPBA!

I want all our members to know that I will do my very best to make CFPBA the best organization possible.  I cannot do it alone and will be dependent upon those that have made a commitment to CFPBA.

To all the members and potential members of CFPBA, the CFPBA is still here, we are simply going through some changes.   We will make the CFPBA stronger if we all stand united and support one another through the challenges ahead.

STAY STRONG AND STAY PBA!

Sincerely,
Paul Smalley
CFPBA Trustee