Cumberland County says corrections union complaint is insufficient, inaccurate [Video]

Cumberland County has asked the state’s labor relations board to dismiss a complaint filed by corrections officers that alleges a federal contract to house more inmates has added unfair pressure to an already overworked staff.

The complaint was filed last month with the Maine Labor Relations Board, which governs the collective bargaining of public employees. The National Correctional Employees Union, which represents most of Cumberland County Jail’s workers, alleged that when the county renewed its lucrative agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service to house federal inmates, it unilaterally changed the conditions of employment without consulting the union.

But in its response filed last week, the county said the contract with the marshals service is a long-standing practice at the jail and that the union’s allegations aren’t strong enough to warrant the board’s intervention.

The dispute is now awaiting review by board Executive Director Neil Daly. While there is no specific timeline for when Daly must make a decision, he …