Osceola County deputies say department is trying to discourage them from joining union

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — 9 Investigates has learned the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is handing out paperwork to its supervisors asking them to tell deputies the downfalls of joining a union.

Sources inside the department said deputies are voting on a union because of concerns about unfair treatment and pay.

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People who received the document this week said they were not happy about what was in it. The documents include a guide for management to know what can be and should be said as well as rules of engagement.

It doesn’t say too many nice things about unions and it seems they want management to relay those points.

But according to the state fraternal order of police, there is nothing illegal about it.

Read: Osceola County deputies file paperwork to unionize

The document tells leadership that the outcome and success of a union drive is partly up to them, writing, “a little extra effort on the part of each of us and a little extra consideration of our employees will go a long way toward keeping the union out.”

The deputies working on forming the union have not commented.

Read: Former Central Florida police chief accused of sexually battering girl, 14

Something similar happened in Apopka where the mayor wrote a letter to officers encouraging them to vote against a union, which was determined to be legal. Those officers did not choose to unionize.

Video: Osceola County deputies file paperwork to unionize For the first time in the history of the Osceola County Sheriff's Office, deputies have filed paperwork to start a union. (Shannon Butler, WFTV.com)

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