Posted by MAXIMUS

Trying to placate the views of two disparate groups, Creigh Deeds has stepped in the mud big time by saying he supports collective bargaining for law enforcement personnel to the Fraternal Order of Police ("FOP"). Yesterday Creigh Deeds states that he does NOT support collective bargaining for law enforcement personnel while attending an annual meeting the Virginia Sheriff's Association in Virginia Beach, VA.

Incredible. Creigh Deeds says one thing in one part of Virginia on August 6, 2009, to law enforcement personnel in support of collective bargaining then he shucks and jives in Virginia Beach on Monday, September 14, 2009, saying the exact opposite. Governor Tim Kaine is already pulling the rug from under state employees by proposing to not fund their retirement plans, now Creigh Deeds is caught lying to public safety personnel when he thought nobody else was listening, to wit the below email:

September 14, 2009

Brothers and Sisters,

I am writing this email to inform you of disturbing information that was relayed to me today (Monday Sept 14).Candidate for Governor Creigh Deeds was speaking before the Virginia Sheriffs Association's annual conference. Creigh was asked specifically if he supported collective bargaining. Senator Deeds initially stated that he did not support collective bargaining for constitutional officers. When asked if he supported collective bargaining for police departments the Senator responded that he does not support collective bargaining for public safety period. The Senator initially tried to dismiss his response to the Sheriffs associations question by blaming a junior staffer. He said that the wrong answer had been checked on the questionnaire. The first question we asked in our survey this year was on collective bargaining. I am including the question and the Senators response.

1. In the US Congress, HR 413 is a bill designed to provide collective bargaining rights for pubic safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions has been introduced. If passed, this bill will allow for the first time in Virginia the right of public safety employees to meet and confer with their employers to negotiate wages and benefits. It is well known that Virginia is one of only a few states that has right to work laws. This Bill is on of the FOP top priorities in Congress. As Governor what would your position be on the passage of this bill and the right of public safety employees to meet and confer?

Creigh Deeds response to the above question.I am a strong supporter of collective bargaining rights for public safety employees. As a legislator, I have voted for the right of workers to meet and confer. As governor, I will continue to support meet and confer for public safety employees in Virginia.

I was told this information by two separate sources. I confirmed the information by talking to my Sheriff. I am not sure why the Senator has changed his opinion on collective bargaining. He was at my lodge on August 6th and spoke before my members. He was asked by one of my members if he supported collective bargaining legislation and said that he did.

I felt that it was important to send this information out so that the remaining lodges that have not voted yet will be informed when they make their decision. I am actually very surprised that the Senator has changed his position on this.
Link here: http://www.vastatefop.com/index.htm

Fraternally,

Kevin P. Carroll
Legislative Chairman
Sergeant At Arms
(Virgina Fraternal Order of Police, State Lodge)