Page 10 - January 2016

RAY CASIANO, JR.
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Brothers and Sisters, December was a difficult month for all of us as many of you stood face-to-face with protestors who in a different environment would have been arrested. To add insult to injury, our politi- cians judged and questioned how we do our jobs. It is not that we are above reproach, but rather that our politicians found it easy as they sat within the com- forts of the City Council Chamber with the luxury of time on their side to make comments and suggestions about what we should do on a day-to-day
basis while in the face of danger. These are the same politicians that voted on our contract and claimed they never saw it, as well the ones who awarded $5 million for the actions taken by one of our members without ever seeing whether it may have been nec- essary. It seems to me that they are the ones that should be ques- tioned for making decisions without thinking or exercising proper judgment, keeping in mind one major difference between us and them is that the calls they make are not life-threatening either way. They could have learned a little from my article in the December issue about “Honor and Integrity.”
There is something to be said about patience
In late November, some officers were injured due to aggressive actions taken by protestors, so I went out early the next morning to address roll calls. During that day, the Field Representatives were ready to respond to our members’ needs. Our membership elected leadership, and leadership you have at every level at the Lodge. On Dec. 9, the mayor addressed the City Council with a speech that was inexcusable. His words attempted to unjustly tarnish our profession. It was clear that it was merely a performance to save his political skin (with crocodile tears included.) He had no understanding of the meaning behind “The Thin Blue Line,” and as far as the “Code of Silence,” I’m sure that is in some playbook on the Fifth Floor. He did not only throw us under the bus, but he drove it with a couple of his aldermen going along for the ride.
As our politicians were busy pointing fingers and finding fault, our FOP President was being proactive and displaying true leadership by going to Washington, D.C., to meet with the Department of Justice and discuss issues within the Department. President Angelo is a true leader who can be compared to the caliber I witnessed during my time in the Marine Corps. Although, many members called for the Lodge to give a quick response, our president picked the right time and place to address our concerns. There is something to be said about patience.
His statements and comments are not off the seat of his pants, nor does every comment deserve a response. He has the responsibility to represent not only the few that call the Lodge, but the whole mem- bership. The responses from the Lodge cannot be knee-jerk reactions to every comment out there or reactions to what comes out of the mouths of the politically motivated. As our elected officials
at the city and county level fold under political pressure, the Lodge will continue to stand up for its members and protect their rights.
Medical Corner
Recently, a couple of new changes have come to the Lodge regarding how medical grievances are to be handled. It’s not that we are attempting to reinvent the wheel, but only oiling the mecha- nisms to ensure continuous success the first time at mediation. Every grievance, whether medical or standard, should be prepared as if it’s going to arbitration the day it’s filed. I have encouraged our staff to get as many details as possible related to a medical grievance in order to build a better case. I also ask that members do the same with standard grievances and have the details ready to better your case. These changes have included more participation from the affected members, as well as careful documentation of the events, including creating a timeline, photos, and the latest updates from the members prior to the Lodge going into mediation.
The implementation of these changes has produced positive results, as was the case at our December mediation with the City. In the December issue, I wrote about a grievance that we filed on behalf of a member. In short, the member was required by the MSS to perform what I consider to be a job requirement while under doctor’s care and on a “No-work Status.” I am pleased to report that the Lodge was able to win the grievance for that member and the contract was made whole. During the same mediation I also had four denied IODs and one pending arbitration being revisited. Out of the four denied IODs we secured awards for three of them, and although the fourth one was placed on a follow-up pending more details, I am confident of an award. A settlement was also reached and secured for the grievance that was pending arbitration and the member was pleased.
Acknowledgment
Happy New Year. The holiday season is behind us, but the mem- ories created by the FOP Family Auxiliary’s “Lunch with Santa” will always be remembered by the many families that attended (see page 32). I would like to thank FOP Family Auxiliary President Angie Haynes for hosting such a great event.
I would also like to recognize all of our active members that have stood tall on the “Thin Blue Line” during these trying times in our profession and continue to display leadership and professionalism in the communities they serve and protect. To my active Brothers and Sisters, let it be known that our retired members are ready behind the line to support you in any way they can. I am proud to be part of Chicago’s Finest and honored to be your First Vice Presi- dent.
FOP is here to “serve and protect” you, so that you can better “serve and protect” the citizens of Chicago. God Bless!
10 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JANUARY 2016
Nerves of Steel