Time for a change. PBA has to go!
Why should we stay with the PBA? The PBA is supposed to be organization that acts as an intermediary between its members and the Miami-Dade Police Department. The main purpose of the PBA is to give its members the power to negotiate for more favorable working conditions and other benefits through collective bargaining. The issue is that this is not being done anymore. Steadman Stahl and others campaigned that the PBA had major issues and that he and others needed to be voted into office to make the PBA great again. Steadman got the votes he needed and John Rivera and others were ousted and we were ready for the PBA to start the changes. We waited and waited and nothing happened. Myself and others have even said that the PBA has gotten worse.
The Miami-Dade Police Department has been overrun with Command Staff that violate the contract and do so willingly because they are in bed with the PBA. I have personally be involved, as a witness, where I was told by a PBA representative that I should not show up for a hearing and received pressure from both my command staff as well. This was not fair for the officer that clearly was being denied his due process. When I brought this up to someone that I know that is on the Board of the PBA, I found out that this was a common practice.
I have to agree with Steadman when he stated during his campaign that there has to be a change in the PBA and that change is now. I do not care that the PBA throughs gatherings, boating event and domino events. I was fair representation and want an union that will fight for me and my fellow members. As it stands right now we are having management defend us against management. All I have to say is that of course they are going to defend each other and their best interests.
I am friends with many of the PBA Board Members and elected officials and I am sad to announce that they have lost their purpose. I am, and ask you to, put your friendships aside and take the steps to remove the PBA as our bargaining unit.
Since PLEA, which now I found out is a part of IUPA, this is a win-win scenario. Meet with one of their staff and complete the card to let the PBA know that we are not happy with them.