AFSCME union fuming over internal corruption and facebook privacy.

By Doug Glass, Backgate Website

Over the past week, fall out from our story on the forced resignation of former TDCJ Information Officer Michelle Lyons, along with blow back from accusations made against the TDCJ admin for advocating violation of employee rights by allowing it's wardens, and others to  demand employee social media passwords is coming to head.  

The Federal EEOC and the Texas ACLU have been advised of those particular issues within the agency as of last week. Also, Lance Lowry, policy analyst for the AFSCME union has contacted the national lobby in Washington D.C. regarding the issues, as well as firing off a detailed letter to Senate Criminal Justice Committee chair John Whitmire of Houston. Lowry made the following statement to the Backgate this week via email in regards to the forwarded message he sent to Washington. 

"My understanding from our legal staff is TDCJ maybe in violation of the Stored

Communications Act, under 18 U.S.C. § 2701, and the CFAA prohibits intentional

access to a computer without authorization to obtain information, 18 U.S.C. §

1030(a)(2)(C). Facebook's terms of service are clear in regards to sharing a

security password."

Lowry also included a letter the union forwarded to Senator Whitmire last week

regarding the issues with Ms. Lyons, and the facebook privacy violations. 

"Dear Honorable Senate John Whitmire,

I am contacting your office today in regards to TDCJ employees being

censored from contacting state elected officials and other activities occurring in

which TDCJ is attempting to censor employee organizing activities.

As of this last week the former Public Information Office Michelle Lyons

contacted your office via agency email in regards to possible illegal labor issues

occurring inside TDCJ.  After Michelle contacted your office the agency suspended

her email, which is vital to her job duties, and has informed her she is under

investigation for her email sent to your office. 

TDCJ is engaging employees and prohibiting them from networking with one

another on Facebook and other social media’s.  The agency has terminated several

employees for Facebook activities, under the disguise they are jeopardizing the

security of the institution.  

With the Sunset hearing coming up and the several other important legislative

activities occurring, it is important TDCJ employees feel protected from any kind of

retaliation.  It is important for public safety that the Legislature receive free

flowing information on the activities occurring in these state agencies.  Please

assist in making TDCJ upper management understand this concept."

Sincerely,

Lance Lowry

Policy Analyst

AFSCME – Texas Correctional Employees 

If you have a first hand story to tell about a social media/rights violation issue with TDCJ, you are asked to detail those issues in an email and send it with your name and contact information to:info@aclutx.org