Civilian Employee Relations Division
Non-Sworn Members Given A Voice
By Bobbi Hickin, CERD Committee Chair
Have you ever been told “I pay your wages!!”? If so, you are a public employee. Whether you work for the DPW, the Highway Department, your City Hall, or you are a police officer or firefighter, we all hear it. That is what makes us unique in our employment. That uniqueness is exactly what the WPPA represents.
There was a time when the WPPA only served law enforcement officers. As years passed, the WPPA’s membership grew, both in size and diversity. At present, the membership includes over 1,000 non-sworn civilian members.
In the spring of 2005, the WPPA created a separate division – the Civilian Employee Relations Division (CERD). In addition, the WPPA has created a twenty-ninth position on the Board of Directors and a CERD committee of civilian members, chaired by the CERD Director. I have been fortunate to serve as the CERD Director since its inception.
In addition to the chair, the CERD Committee is currently made up of the following members: Brenda Griffith, dispatcher from Adams County; Darwin Schmidt, correctional officer from Fond du Lac County; and Keith Fabianski, correctional officer from Oneida County.
In the past year and a half, I have had the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the staff at WPPA, as well as the other Directors, regarding issues pertaining specifically to CERD members. As a Director on the Board, I represent you and the issues important to you. If there is something you would like addressed and are not able to discuss it with your business agent, please contact me. Also, I would be happy to attend your union meetings or meet with you personally to hear your concerns, questions and comments. I would love to correspond with at least one member from each CERD local in the WPPA. We were given a voice, now we need to use it.
At the 2006 convention, Oneida County Dispatcher Kelly Kiewert was given a Certificate of Recognition for her actions on two critical incidents that occurred while she was dispatching. To my knowledge, this is the first time a WPPA civilian member has been given an award at the convention. Do not make it the last time. You do not need to carry a gun to do something over and above your duties. If you know of a coworker who deserves recognition for his or her role in an incident, please send a letter to the WPPA Awards Committee as soon as possible so that that person may be considered for an award at the 2007 convention. Send your nomination to: WPPA Awards Committee, 340 Coyier Lane, Madison, WI 53713. The deadline is February 1.
If you would like to contact me, my email address is bobbihicken@charter.net. I can also be reached at 920-926-0646. If you would like to contact me by mail, you may send your letter to the WPPA Madison office at the above address, Attention: Bobbi Hicken.
I look forward to hearing from you.
