The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) has ruled in our favor in the Unfair Labor Practice charge we filed on behalf of our members at the Department of Corrections regarding changes to strip search policies.

BACKGROUND

In 2023, the DOC made unilateral changes to strip search policies that significantly impacted working conditions for Teamsters. They eliminated the volunteer system that had been in place since 2020 and began requiring all female corrections officers to conduct strip searches of transgender incarcerated individuals, regardless of personal objections or comfort level. Female officers who refused were  threatened with disciplinary action for insubordination.

Our Union's legal team led by Senior Staff Attorney Eamon McCleery filed a ULP over the issue, and a hearing was held in early 2025.

A WIN FOR TEAMSTERS

After reviewing testimony on both sides, PERC concluded that the DOC violated State labor law by unilaterally eliminating the volunteer system without bargaining with our Union. Thanks to the courageous testimony of several female officers who stepped forward to share their experiences, the PERC examiner agreed that this was a significant change in working conditions that should have been subject to bargaining.

PERC has ordered the DOC to:

  • Cease and desist from unilaterally changing the volunteer system
  • Restore the volunteer list at each facility for strip searches of transgender individuals
  • Assign searches to volunteers first before mandating other staff perform these duties
  • Bargain in good faith with Teamsters 117 before making any future changes to this system
  • Post official notices of this violation at all DOC facilities

You can read the PERC decision in its entirety here.

PRÓXIMOS PASOS

We will be working with the DOC to ensure full compliance with this order. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Union Representative.

This victory demonstrates the power of standing together and the importance of having brave members willing to speak up for their rights. Thank you to everyone who supported this effort, and special recognition goes to those members who provided testimony in this case.