Page 12 - September Issue

File this under Suspension Grievances
FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S REPORT
Management and Labor Affairs receive, on average, 15 suspension grievances a month in which the grievant opts to file but then does not do so. Please remember that if an officer elects to file a grievance challenging the recommendation for discipline, he or she has 10 working days fol- lowing receiving the recommendation to file
the grievance. If no grievance is filed, the Department will deem that an acceptance of the penalty.
Binding Summary Opinion
The Lodge had our monthly Summary Opinion Arbitration in July. We represented 10 officers who had suspension grievances of 10 days or less. Due to the outstanding testimony of our affected members and the diligence of the Lodge 7 staff, we were able to secure eight reductions in suspensions out of the 10 cases that went in front of the arbitrator.
If we can hit 80 percent every month, I like our chances going forward. Because of our success, the Lodge has begun to look into whether there is a necessity to have attorneys present at these
Summary Opinion Meetings, which would be a significant savings for the Lodge. I will keep you updated as the Lodge meas- ures the effectiveness of this proposal.
National Fraternal Order of Police convention
During the week of Aug. 10, I had the privilege of attending the National FOP Conference in Pittsburgh. What made it espe- cially sweet, besides the Iron City Beer and Primanti Brothers Sandwiches, was celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the FOP, and elect new National Executive
Board officers.
Congrats to our elected National Executive Board: President Chuck Canterbury; National Secretary Patrick Yoes; Treasurer Tom Penoza; Sergeant-at-Arms Roger Mayberry, and our newly- elected, Lodge 7-endorsed candidates, 1st Vice President Jay McDonald and 2nd Vice President Les Neri. A special congrats goes out to Rocky Nowaczyk who was re-elected as the Illinois National Trustee. Rocky has been the National Trustee for more than 20 years and his service to the members of the FOP is with- out equal. d
12 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ SEPTEMBER 2015
KEVIN KILMER