Page 19 - February 2020 FOP Magazine

Ask any Chicago Police Officer (and his or her family mem- bers) and I’m certain you’ll hear the same thing. Over time, the demands placed on them are unbearable.
Sadly, more than 65 percent of those officers surveyed by the National FOP believe there are not adequate services available to help cope with the stress. Here in Chicago, I am certain those numbers are higher.
So why am I writing about this in a monthly article? Because apart from Lodge 7, it does not seem that anyone truly has your collective back. Instead of helping police officers with resources to address these and other on-the-job dangers, it appears that the Chicago Police Department is doing more to exacerbate the problem.
That’s why, in the past, Lodge 7 has pursued several grievanc- es seeking to have the City Committee on Finance’s refusal to recognize an officer’s PTSD as an injury on duty (IOD) deter- mined unreasonable.
In one such award, the arbitrator sustained the grievance and specifically noted the unique nature of police work: “When an employee is assigned to work in a high-crime area, that is a rea- sonable indicator of a ‘situation of greater dimensions than the day-to-day emotional strain and tension which all employees... experience.’”
The arbitrator agreed with Lodge 7 that Chicago Police Offi- cers are at a much greater risk of sustaining psychological and/ or emotional injuries based on the unique nature of their jobs than the general public. Unfortunately, the City seems to dis- count such a reality.
Furthermore, as many of you who read my articles know, the
City has failed to bargain with the Lodge over many issues that have a direct impact on all police officers’ safety.
In recent years, each and every time the department issued a new directive unilaterally changing terms and conditions of employment (use of force policy, body-worn cameras, disci- pline matrix, time and attendance swiping program), Lodge 7 has been virtually excluded from participating and offering any meaningful input.
Left with no other choice, Lodge 7 systematically filed an un- fair labor practice charge with the state labor relations board each and every time the department ignored Lodge 7’s request to bargain.
The board listened and issued complaints. Then administra- tive law judges listened to the evidence and found that the City had violated the act.
Recently, Lodge 7 also sought an injunction to prevent the City from unilaterally implementing changes to start times and day-off groups. As a result, although the lower court did not grant injunctive relief, the Illinois Appellate Court did order the City to arbitrate the dispute within 30 days, and a hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11. Lodge 7 continues to have your back.
Lately, it seems like everyone is getting on the hashtag move- ment bandwagon. I propose a new one: #PoliceSafetyMatters.
At least it would be a good start. Other than Lodge 7, no one else seems to care.
Be safe.
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ FEBRUARY 2020 19