(Radio Iowa) - The leader of the union that represents state prison employees says higher pay for new prison workers is a good start, but the state should offer incentives to keep veteran prison staff from leaving.
Todd Copley -- president of AFSCME Council 61 -- says while the union is all for raising pay for newly hired staff, employees who've worked in the state prisons for 10, 15 or 20 years should be getting paid more. Copley says starting pay for new workers should be the new base wage or salary for employees who work in similar positions.
He says SIGNING bonuses for new prison employees should include a requirement that they stay in the job for several years and RETENTION bonuses should be go to correctional officers with years of experience, so they don't leave for a better paying job or choose to retire early.