Sent to AOCDS Thursday evening:

"We fully recognize the frustrations that you, your membership and your Board are experiencing around the stalled negotiations with the County and our Board of Supervisors.  However, we are beginning to walk a fine line of “work-to-rule” and its impact on our courts and the community we serve. 

While we know that you and our deputies and public safety personnel have been diligent in ensuring that no cases are dismissed and that public safety is not put in jeopardy, work-to-rule is having cataclysmic effects on court operations and may jeopardize cases pending in the criminal courts.  

At the same time we understand from conversations with you and Mark Nichols that the negotiations held this week did not go well.

We request that the “work-to-rule” policy be abated until Tuesday, October 16, after the Board of Supervisors concludes their closed session discussion on bargaining issues.  While we have no personal knowledge of a possible resolution, it is our hope that you all can return to the bargaining table to resolve this stalemate without future negative impacts on court operations and public safety. 

We both understand this is a tough request in light of the fact that our deputies and public safety personnel have been without a contract for a year; however, we believe the abatement of “work-to-rule” is necessary to ensure continue public safety and sent a good-will gesture to the county and the Board of Supervisors."

*Signed by Sheriff Michael Carona and D.A. Tony Rackauckas