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Labor Day unity
Over the Labor Day weekend, the Lodge requested all members avoid the overtime grind and instead spend some quality time with their families. The objective behind this request was twofold: to have everyone enjoy the final weekend of summer after a long and embattled few months, and to illustrate to the Department how extremely under- staffed we are. Overall, the initiative was a
success. I tracked the overtime numbers from the three previous weekends in August leading up to the La-
bor Day holiday and was surprised at the figures.
In this grievance, the City contended that there was generally no need for specialized officers to work the Chicago Marathon in the past because they could al- ways draw from the district tactical teams and request personnel for the districts by canceling days off in re- verse seniority. Our very own Greg Bella testified in this arbitration stating that, in past years, the opportunity to work the Chicago Marathon was open to all officers covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Unfortunately, the Lodge lost the arbitration and the
arbitrator found that the City acted within its management rights and therefore would be able to provide the most cost effective use of man-
THOMAS
THOMAS
MCDONAGH
MCDONAGH
Every weekend in August (Friday to Sunday)
had more than 800 FOP members deployed.
These deployments included VRI, VRI supple- mental, CTA and all CHA locations. The num-
bers from Labor Day weekend showed a dramatic decrease in the amount of officers deployed. Approxi- mately 326 FOP members worked that weekend, over the four-day time period (Friday to Monday). To those of you who stayed home and enjoyed the last week- end of the summer, I commend you for “chillaxing” as my son calls it. The well-deserved time you took for yourself provoked the loudmouth, anti-police priest to request that Dean Angelo go to hell. Not sure if it was in prayer or a spontaneous utterance, but it was said out loud and heard by many Catholics. I wonder if he thinks the criminals in his own profession should go to hell.
I was surprised at the numbers of officers work- ing, but not overly so. In the past, police officers have worked side jobs to pay for Catholic or private edu- cation for their children because the Chicago public schools were not an option. Now, overtime monies are used to pay for real estate taxes, water bills and garbage pickup. I realize those individuals who decided to work have their own reasons but, moving forward, I hope those 326 people see the purpose in sticking together and showing a united front. In doing so, we are able to demonstrate how necessary the need for more staff is.
Chicago Marathon
On Sept. 1, the City put out an administrative mes- sage looking for volunteers to work the Chicago Mara- thon on Oct. 9. The message was very specific on who was eligible to work this overtime initiative, and with good reason. Back in 2008, the Lodge filed a grievance claiming the City violated the Collective Bargaining Agreement by not offering the 2008 Chicago Marathon overtime opportunity to all Bargaining Unit members, regardless of pay rate.
power for the Chicago Marathon.
Since this decision, each fall when it is yet
again time for the Chicago Marathon, everyone with a D-2 or higher pay scale has cringed and commented on the insulting nature of that decision made back in 2008. This all changed on Sept. 16 when the City announced the Chicago Marathon Extension overtime initiative. This new overtime initiative allowed D-2 and D-2A personnel the opportunity to work the Chicago Marathon. I think it is quite clear that the City is scrambling to fill spots along the Chicago Marathon route with any sworn officer it can get its hands on. The fact that the City spent tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees to fight the Lodge on this matter seven years ago, and is now basically going against its own arbitra- tion victory, shows the lack of common sense leading the charge these days. More importantly, it shows the abysmal number of sworn officers that we are treading water with. Nothing should come as a surprise to any-
one on this job ever again!
Chicago’s former very own
Finally, our (once-upon-a-time) very own Steve Wilkos was recently interviewed about his thoughts on the Chicago Police Department and our policing styles. Wilkos was questioning how our members were going about doing their jobs and kept referring to “the way he did it.” This was pandering 101 to his audience of toothless misfits and baby mama drama queens.
After watching this interview, I kept wondering what he meant by “the way he did it.” Was he referring to putting the gate lock facing in or out when closing Humboldt Park? Or was “the way he did it” referring to chasing the teens out of the park starting on the west end of park and moving in an easterly direction? Boy oh boy “he did it,” and thank goodness “he did!” Hey guy, we have a lot going on and need all the support we can get. If you’re going to say something, be positive!d
Field Representative
REPORT
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