PHILIP'S DRUG-TEST STAND IS CORRECT

THE JOB OF PRISON guard is obviously a tough one. That's why we have no
problem with the General Assembly improving the pension benefits of those
who serve as Illinois correctional officers.

However, we do have a big problem with prison workers who choose to partake
of illegal drugs. That's why we support Senate President James "Pate"
Philip's decision to put the pension-improvement legislation on hold until
a tough prison guard drug-testing bill is passed.

The Senate passed the "one-strike-and-out" bill on Tuesday, the final day
of the 91st General Assembly. Unfortunately, Speaker of the House Michael
Madigan failed to call the bill in the House. Philip stuck to his guns and
adjourned the Senate without codifying the new contract with the state
prison workers. Good for him.

THE AMERICAN Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31
- - the union representing the prison workers - stress that a zero-tolerance
drug policy has already been entered into voluntarily in the contract
negotiated with the state.

Voluntary compliance is great, but Sen. Philip is correct that this matter
should be part of state law. If it does not become law, each time the
contract comes up, the matter of drug testing could become a bargaining chip.

Collective bargaining should not determine whether Illinois' prison guards
are drug free.

"It ought to be the law. We shouldn't have felons guarding felons," said
Philip.

WE CAN'T IMAGINE that the vast majority of prison guards don't feel the
same way. That's why it is a bit puzzling that AFSCME did not get behind
the passage of the bill that would make the drug-testing policy a part of
state law.

Then again, maybe the union is hoping to protect some of its members. Drug
use among prison employees at several area prisons rose during the past
fiscal year, though statewide use was down for both prisoners and prison
workers.

Embarrassingly, statewide more prison workers are testing positive for
drugs (2.2 percent) than are prisoners (2 percent).

AFSCME Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer believes the state has
already obligated itself to sweetening the pension plan, whether the
General Assembly codifies the contract or not. He believes the issue will
go to arbitration where the union's position will prevail.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY should make sure that is not the case. The
zero-tolerance drug bill should be reintroduced. It should be passed and
then the contract should be codified.

Bayer said Philip's actions to block a vote on the contract "shows his
contempt of Corrections employees." In fact, what is contemptible is not
taking a tough stand on drug-free prisons.