Some 450 correctional officers represented by the Montana Federation of Prison Employees (FPE/AFT) are celebrating a $2-an-hour pay increase, which was bargained during economic negotiations with the Montana Department of Corrections.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between labor and management establishing the pay raise, the base rate for all correctional officers was increased by $1 an hour beginning with the last full pay period in June 2000. Salaries will increase by an additional $1 per hour in June 2001, which will be in addition to the statutory increase passed by the state legislature for fiscal year 2001.

According to the MOU, "the agreement was entered into for the dual purpose of resolving immediate problems with recruitment, retention and staffing of correctional officers at Montana State Prison and establishing long-term measures to attract, retain and develop a competent, professional custody work force."

For the long term, labor and management are jointly developing an alternative broad band pay system also aimed at recruitment and retention. Target implementation is July 1, 2001, pending approval by the state's director of corrections, Rick Day, the department of administration and funding by the state legislature.

In addition to pay, the MOU addresses other outstanding labor-management issues, including the prison's tobacco ban, physical fitness standards and legislative planning.