Union, corrections unit reach agreement

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Union negotiators and the state Corrections Department reached an agreement Thursday that includes the payment of $7.7 million in long-overdue overtime.

The agreement, which still needs ratification by union members, comes as the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is facing an April vote on whether to decertify its representation.

The AFSCME union has about 1,800 members but bargains on behalf of 6,800 prison guards, cooks, case workers and maintenance workers.

"I think this agreement is something that everyone in the bargaining unit will be pleased with, and maybe more will become members," said AFSCME spokesman Andy English.

But AFSCME's opponent said it was pushing ahead with efforts to oust the union.