Photos for Headline Surfer® / DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Teamsters' 20-year stranglehold on bargaining rights for the rank-and-file cops in Volusia County's largest municipal police force come to an abrupt end Thursday night.
The vote of the cops was 115 to 64 in favor of their union bargaining rights with the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association after 20 years with the Teamster's out of Orlando.
Bob Walker, the business agent for Teamsters 385 and a retired Daytona Beach homicide detective, did not return calls for comment after the votes were tallied Thursday night.
Attempts to reach Walker and his assistant, Gary Conroy, a retired Edgewater cop and that city's elected city commissioner were unsuccessful, despite repeated calls that went to voice mail where messages were left, a series of text messages and private social media messaging venues.
Mike Scudiero, a full-time staff representative for the PBA, whose duties include dealing with media inquiries and political issues, was ecstatic with the results after two days of voting.
"The PBA is extremely excited to be representing the largest municipal police department in Volusia County," Scudiero said. "These men and women pour their hearts out into their job every day, and it is our goal to give them the best possible representation. We felt comfortable we were the best choice to do that, and are extremely grateful to the men and women for their stamp of approval."
Mike Scudiero, a full-time staff representative for the PBA, whose duties include dealing with media inquiries and ongoing political issues, was ecstatic with the results after two days of voting.
"The PBA is extremely excited to be representing the largest municipal police department in Volusia County," Scudiero said. "These men and women pour their hearts out into their job every day, and it is our goal to give them the best possible representation. We felt comfortable we were the best choice to do that, and are extremely grateful to the men and women for their stamp of approval."