Prisoner's Union

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, something so outrageous takes place that it leaves you shaking your head.

As if there weren’t enough special interest groups trying to influence legislation in Sacramento, a new group has announced it is forming a union to, as they claim, “educate voters and influence public policy.”

The group calls itself the “most oppressed segment of our population,” and if successful, targets raising $78 million a year through membership dues of $60 a year ($5 a month) to its eligible members and their families.

Let me tell you that any special interest group that has $78 million to spend on influencing public policy will have an impact on getting legislation passed in Sacramento.

But what makes this new union so outrageous is the segment of the population they will represent. The newest union will represent California’s prisoners and parolees.

That’s right. Murderers, rapists, and convicted sex offenders believe they are oppressed and deserve a stronger voice in Sacramento through unionization and lobbying. The group will charge $5 a month for dues – I guess the money will come out of the 75 cents an hour in taxpayer money the prisoners are paid while serving time in one of our state prison facilities. The new union will also open their rolls to the family members of prisoners who have served time in a California prison.

What makes this newest union so egregious is the audacity of these individuals to call themselves the most “oppressed segment of our population.” Unlike those in our society who are oppressed because of nothing within their control, those who have broken the law(s) in this state have made the conscious choice to do so and have put themselves and their family members in this situation.

Just in case you weren’t aware – prisoners have plenty of rights. Not only do they get paid for their work, legislators have seen fit to allow some of these prisoners to be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. They also are eligible for free medical care.

Unfortunately, the rolls of this new union for prisoners will continue to grow as people continue to ignore the laws of this state and are consequently incarcerated. While all of these individuals have rights, even though they are in prison, the thought of them unionizing is unconscionable. Will we see these prisoners striking for better working conditions, better pay and improved health care? It may sound ridiculous now, but if they achieve their $78 million budget, anything is possible.

Instead of a union to protect the interests of prisoners, a union to protect the interests and safety of law-abiding citizens would be much more appropriate.

Currently the group has signed up approximately 500 members. The new union may never achieve their goal of becoming a high-powered lobby in Sacramento and throughout the state. But the very fact that someone has seen fit to try and organize them has taught me that I will never again assume that I have seen everything when it comes to the games people will play with the lives and pocketbooks of California residents.

Senator Bob Dutton