The New Hampshire Department of Corrections, short more than 100 officers, is looking for a 10 percent raise from the Governor and Executive Council to help entice new officers and keep the existing ones on staff.
A union official confirmed last week that if the raise is not approved at next meeting, another sick-out may follow.
Corrections Commissioner Philip Stanley, who is seeking the raise along with the head of the personnel department, said he had heard of the sick-out threat. On Sept. 5th, 38 corrections officers called in sick at the men's prison in Concord to protest a search of other officers the day before. Stanley said the job action did not affect the security at the prison.
Stanley, who became commissioner in May, said the good economy is causing officers to leave for better-paying jobs. He praised those who remain.
Many of those leaving are moving into the private sector where employers are offering incentives and good wages as the state's unemployment rate continues to hover between 2 and 3 percent.
'So that is why we are making an attempt to provide a better wage,' Stanley said. 'We have to fill the security posts within the institutions and right now we have these vacancies.'
Stanley was unable to say last night how many officers are employed in the three state prisons, in Concord, Berlin and Goffstown.
The 10 percent increase would apply to both new hires and existing staff, he said. Smith said the base starting pay for a corrections officer in New Hampshire is $10.32.
There is a 50-cent differential for those working the midnight shift, he said.
Smith said that although he did not have the actual numbers, it was his understanding that
New Hampshire corrections officers are the second-lowest paid in New England. Maine
pays less than New Hampshire, he said.
The 10 percent increase is important in the overall security of the system, Smith said.
Smith said earlier this month that the members of his unit represent about 70 percent of the correctional officers and civilian staff in the state.