Frederick County lawmakers nix expansion of sheriff's deputies union talks

The delegation met Friday and chose to take no action on the proposed bill. Its meeting came after Frederick County Sheriff Chuck Jenkins sent a letter asking the group to turn down the request.

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 102 proposed the bill, which would have allowed the union to negotiate with the Frederick County Commissioners, in addition to the sheriff.

As it stands now, the union negotiates only with the sheriff, even though the commissioners have final funding say. The union had sought the change in order to include the commissioners in all of the discussions.

"We want to be able to better secure our current wages and benefits," said FOP President Jim Harris.

"The best way to do that would have been to bring the Board of County Commissioners to the table when we bargain with the sheriff."

Harris was not present at the meeting but heard the outcome.

"It's disappointing for the FOP, but this certainly doesn't hamper our abilities to continue to collectively bargain with the sheriff as we have been," Harris said.

The union plans to go through the bargaining process this year before its members decide whether they want to take another stab at the legislation, he said.

A major factor for the delegation's rejection of the proposal was a vote taken Thursday by the county commissioners.

"Well, that kind of drives the stake through the heart, doesn't it?" said Delegation Chairman David Brinkley when he learned about the vote.

The commissioners decided to withdraw their support for the proposal after the union, county attorney and sheriff could not agree on wording.

"I didn't have a problem with it as long as we got all the parties to agree, but we just never could," said Commissioners President Blaine Young.

The commissioners plan to sit down with the FOP to discuss any issues they would like during the bargaining process this year, Young said. But this way it won't be written into state law.

Harris said the FOP looks forward to the discussion.

"We hope to continue to develop better relationships with the sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners," Harris said.