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THOMSON – U.S. Rep Cheri Bustos toured a job fair at Thomson Prison, to highlight the hiring difficulties there.
The prison has 118 openings and is offering jobs the same day for those who qualify through Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 4070 is working with Congress to secure 25% retention for all staff at the prison.
In two recent legislative actions — the financial services bill and the commerce and justice appropriations bill — Bustos included provisions for direct hiring for the Bureau of Prisons. The same bill included a provision to give the bureau the authority to approve retention bonuses. Bustos has called for a 25% retention bonus to keep seasoned staff at Thomson.