OPEA

Nearly 50 employees of the L.E.Rader Center Juvenile Center packed a room to hear from OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley regarding issues facing them during an investigation by the US Department of Justice, issues that have been swirling around the center for a long time.

Zearley, accompanied by Deputy Director Scott Barger, and attorney Melvin Hall of the Riggs, Abney, Neal and Turpen Law Firm, told employees that “You have nothing to fear. The actions and investigation by the Department of Justice echoes exactly what our members at this place have been saying for years. Insufficient resources and a lack of adequate salaries to recruit and retain staff have haunted this facility since the budget cuts of 2002.”

Zearley encouraged the staff to continue the fight for the welfare of employees and the juveniles.

“You must continue to fight for better working conditions, better salaries and a better future through your association with OPEA. The Rader Center has enjoyed a great tradition with OPEA and we need to have you back involved,” Zearley continued. “OPEA is very concerned about the workers here at the Rader Center and the pressures you are facing from, not only the job, but from the presence of the DOJ investigators. That is why we have asked the top law firm in the state to come and talk with employees about your rights,” Zearley said as he introduced attorney Melvin Hall.

Hall presented the employees with a bird’s-eye view of their rights as state employees during investigations and also with clarification of their rights under the Garrity Ruling.

“Employees who are forced to answer questions in connection with an administrative investigation cannot have the statements utilized against them in any criminal matters,” he said. “And some of the strongest protections for state employees lie in the fact that you (state employees) have qualified immunity. In short, if you are doing your job in a manner that is reasonable, then you face no liability for actions taken at this facility that are beyond your control.”

After Hall’s presentation, employees quickly signed the necessary paperwork to start the RADER Center OPEA Chapter. OPEA Deputy Director Scott Barger commented, “The employees were eager to hear OPEA and the law firm speak about their rights. They were also eager to form an OPEA chapter in an effort to have more inclusion in the process.”

RADER employees will be meeting in the near future to elect chapter officers and to coordinate future activities to improve the working conditions and prepare for the legislative session.