County jail staff balk at potential cutbacks
Source: By Diana M. Alba, Sun-News (NM)m 01/11/2008
Some Doña Ana County detention center staff are upset about a county decision to outsource the jail's medical services to a private company because it means employees will lose their jobs.
...... The Doña Ana County Board of Commissioners voted in December to pay $2.53 million annually to the Tennesee-based Prison Health Services Inc. to operate the jail's medical wing. The contract goes into effect Jan. 24.
...... The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees -- a union representing jail workers -- attempted to voice concerns about the outsourcing during a county commission meeting Tuesday. However, county officials declined to allow it to address the commission, saying the matter related to collective bargaining -- discussions that are supposed to take place behind closed doors.