Union-Busting and Political Retaliation by Union County Sheriff Jim Prouty

AFSCME Council 65 has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Union County and is demanding accountability and immediate reinstatement for Union County Deputies Zach Brown and Kevin O’Mahoney, who were abruptly terminated by Sheriff Jim Prouty on June 23, 2026. Sheriff Prouty is exhibiting a pattern of punishing workers for standing up for their rights and exercising their political freedom.

Deputies Brown and O’Mahoney are both core members of the union’s negotiating team, actively bargaining for the deputies’ very first contract after the unit was certified in November 2025.

The identical termination letters signed by Sheriff Prouty cite state statute SDCL 7-12-11 to claim these are "no-fault" terminations unrelated to misconduct or performance. However, the firings come just three weeks after the June 2 county election. Both deputies openly supported Prouty’s opponent, displayed yard signs, and refused to sign a letter of support for Prouty during his campaign.

"Sheriff Prouty fired dedicated public servants because they would not kiss his ring during an election, and because they had the nerve to fight for a fair union contract. That is political retaliation, and it is illegal union-busting. Plain and simple. Calling it some 'no-fault' administrative decision doesn't change what happened. This community deserves better than a sheriff who runs a public department like it's his personal kingdom," said Jordan Deffenbaugh, AFSCME Council 65 Labor Representative.

This is not an isolated incident. Sheriff Prouty has a documented history of firing employees who speak out, only to invent vague justifications after the fact.

Another deputy involved in the union was terminated just a few months ago under questionable circumstances and just two months ago, in April 2026, former Union County 911 Director Sara Beatty filed a federal discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit against Union County and Sheriff Prouty. Beatty, a 10-year county employee, was abruptly fired in 2025 with no reason given shortly after marrying her wife and reporting an illegal surveillance camera in the dispatch area. Only after she sued did the county suddenly claim she had a "negative attitude."

The Union County Sheriff’s Office relies on a tight-knit team of just 10 deputies to protect more than 17,000 residents. Stripping the county of experienced deputies in the middle of a contract negotiation compromises public safety and wastes taxpayer dollars.

AFSCME Council 65 represents public and private sector workers across Minnesota and the Dakotas, dedicated to fighting for dignity, fair compensation, and safe working conditions in the workplace.