The following articles appear in the
current monthly FOP newsletter.
By Mark Donahue
Negotiations Update
The Lodge first met with the City more than 14 months ago in an effort to negotiate a successor agreement to our contract, which expired on June 30, 2003. Since that time, over 80 meetings have taken place between the parties and while progress has been made in several areas, there are some gaping differences in significant issues including healthcare and wages.
You have been informed that the Lodge, in consideration of the position that the City has taken, has recognized that it would be improbable to negotiate a settlement in these areas. In late April we sought an arbitrator to assist in the settling of our contract. In mid-June the City and the Lodge agreed that the arbitration would be assigned to Edwin Benn. Arbitrator Benn accepted the assignment and has made overtures, which would seem to indicate that he is eager to begin working to resolve the arbitration demand rather quickly. The Lodge and the City will be meeting with the Arbitrator on July 20th to set the stage for a formal arbitration process to begin in the very near future. We will continue to be available to negotiate with the City over any of the unresolved proposals until the arbitration process begins. There have been many problems that have arisen on the City’s side of the table that have altered their negotiating team and have prolonged the process. Darka Papushkewych from the City Corporations Council’s Office retired in May, the head of OPS, Lori Lightfoot, resigned from the Department and will be moving to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, and recently, Karen Rowan, the Assistant Deputy Superintendent assigned to IAD took a leave. Additionally, then Chief of Staff Shaver and Deputy Superintendent Richardson have left the City’s Negotiating Team.
The Chicago Police Department has taken several actions during the course of negotiations -- despite our agreement to maintain the status quo -- which have necessitated the Lodge going into court to seek relief. These include: the closing of seven district lockups; the City’s decision to relinquish responsibilities for traffic and crowd control on Park District Land (which centers around traffic control at Soldier Field); and the City choosing to ignore the provisions of a State Law which was passed last year regarding the Sworn Affidavit Bill. These actions forced us to expend resources by going to court and returning to Springfield seeking to have the Sworn Affidavit provisions placed in the Illinois Labor Act in order to have them recognize the intent of this legislation. There have been several other infractions of our status quo agreement as well as including the City’s attempt to test for detective promotions and increasing the service requirement, which is a mandatory subject of collective bargaining, without negotiating the changes with us. The actions that the Lodge has taken in regards to these issues should serve as notice to the City of our intent to protect the current contract guarantees as well as demonstrate how we will react to such actions in the future. This administration has the advantage of having extremely competent in-house attorneys who are able to address not only the issues that arise on a daily basis, but the big issues as well at an appreciable cost savings to the membership.
The latest move from the City has been to inform us that they are no longer interested in meeting with the “Alliance” of representatives from all of the City Unions to discuss collectively the proposals on Health Care. This was an opportunity for the City to discuss with all of its employee representatives all issues surrounding health benefits for their employees. It appears now, and not to the surprise of many involved, that the City is not interested in dealing in good faith over arguably the most important issue in these negotiations with all of their employees in this forum. Health Care is not something that should be used as a chip in these talks but should be of utmost importance to the City- as it is to the employees.
Legislation
The national concealed-carry act, H.R. 218 was passed out of committee on June 17th. This legislation passed out of the House by a voice vote on June 23rd and has to go back to the Senate for a concurrence vote due the House members amending the bill which in no way altered the spirit of the bill. Most of our Illinois Congressmen were signed on as sponsors of this legislation. Unfortunately, in the Senate, both Senators from Illinois have in the past voted against the identical language that the rest of the Senate members passed by a vote of 91-8. It couldn’t hurt to contact both Dick Durbin at 312-353-4952 and Peter Fitzgerald at 312-886-3506 and tell them that as a constituent, you are asking for them to support the passage of H.R. 218. This bill was sent to the Senate the same day it passed out of the House but a hearing date for concurrence has yet to be set. President George W. Bush sent a letter to National President Chuck Canterbury thanking him for his efforts, and the efforts of the membership in supporting this legislation, which the President feels will “better protect our Nation from danger”. Not only does our Legislative staff at the Washington office deserve credit for their work, but the FOP Members and other law enforcement members across the country who took the time to get involved are to be recognized as well. With the passage of this legislation, the issues concerning the Social Security Act and a nationwide Collective Bargaining Bill will take top priority for the FOP. The FOP is the largest Law Enforcement organization in the world and has the respect and confidence of both the Legislative and Executive branches of government to tell them what the needs of Law Enforcement are.
State Illinois State
Conference
The Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois State Conference will be held in Springfield on July 23-25. Elections for all of the positions on the State Lodge Board will be held. Sgt.-at-Arms Ken Watt will be running for 1st Vice President and Board Trustee Pat Duckhorn will be up for reelection as the Illinois State Trustee representing Chicago. Also at the State Conference consideration for an endorsement for the open Illinois U.S. Senate seat will be made.
General Meetings
The Lodge Board has voted again to forego the General Business Meetings for the months of July and August. The next General Meeting will be September 21st at which a number of changes to the Constitution and By-laws could be considered. Those proposed changes will be will published in both the August and September Newsletter for your information. Members are still welcome to attend the Board Meetings with any issues they wish to bring to the Board’s attention. Any breaking news will be channeled through your unit reps as well as the Hotline and Web Site. We hope to see our members at the picnic in July and our Golf Outing in August. Have a safe summer.
Vice
Presidents’ Article
Bankers Life Insurance is leaving the group life insurance business. Benefits Management Office is in the process of choosing a new life insurance vendor and hopes to implement no later than August 1st. This means that all employees will be receiving information about this change soon. This also means that beneficiary cards will have to be completed and returned to the new vendor.
The amount of Basic Life Insurance and AD&D provided by the City of Chicago will not change with the new vendor.
Supplemental or Optional insurance will also be available. A conversion policy will be available from Bankers for the optional insurance; however, an employee must have had the insurance in place for five years and not be eligible for replacement coverage. Life insurance amounts available under the conversion policy are the lesser of the benefit amount lost or $10,000. The City is still evaluating the proposals. However, its request for proposal suggests that the new vendor guarantee the issuance of the same amount of benefits currently held by a City employee who already has a supplemental policy with Bankers.
Anyone on a leave of absence on the effective date of change, other than for duty disability, will not be in effect with the new vendor until they return to active work assignment in a category of employment that is provided basic life insurance by the City of Chicago.
Any member enrolled in the Point of Service health insurance should be aware that 12 hospitals have been eliminated from the configuration as of 01 July 04 (this applies only to the Point of Service Plan). Members will be notified by Blue Cross of their need to change primary care physician because of the change in the hospital network. Plan changes will not be allowed because of this change to the network.
Certain types of care will be considered for transitional benefits and include some of the following: inpatient confinements, obstetrical care, treatment of terminal illness, cancer treatment and therapies, dialysis and cardiac rehabilitation. If a member needs to apply for transitional care benefits, they must request a form from the customer service unit at Blue Cross Blue Shield.
C.R. Investigations
The Lodge is only aware of C.R. allegations you receive if and when you call and make a notification. If you do not call we will not know that you received a C.R. number.
When you, as either the accused or a witness, receive allegations and you have to go to IAD/OPS to give a statement, call the Lodge so that an attorney can accompany you.
If you are accused or a witness and have to write a “To-From-Subject” report about the alleged incident call the Lodge and we will assist you in writing your “To-From” report. If you do not call us we do not know. Protect your rights and call the Lodge.
Even if you think that the C.R. number is insignificant call for representation, it is your right to have an attorney with you when you give a statement.
Verbal Abuse
To date the Lodge has only received one package from an officer who was counseled for verbal abuse. The Lodge wants to compile statistics to make sure there is no abuse in the program. We cannot keep statistics if you do not send copies of the paperwork when you are counseled. Send the package through police mail to Kathy Moore, Unit 541.
Fishing Tournament
The Annual Ed Reines Memorial Fishing Tournament, which was originally scheduled for the 9th of June, had to be rescheduled due to record rainfall, which put all of the Chain of Lakes under water. A new date was selected for the 23rd of June and after all of the last minute arrangements and cancellations, we had 70 boats, which participated in this year’s event. We could not have asked for a better day for fishing. Even with the No Wake Conditions everyone had a good time and some great fish were caught. The grills were fired up and our Trustees Rich Aguilar, Joe Butney and Mike Voight cooked non-stop thru the day. Trustees Bob Mihajlov, Anna Hanley, Rhonda Bullock and Ed King signed in the fishermen, passed out the prizes and assisted in serving the luncheon and beverages following the tournament. The rains held off until the end of the day when everyone was returning home. We hope that everyone enjoyed this year’s tournament and would like to thank all of the fishermen who participated in the event. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this year’s tournament, please write a note or call us at the Lodge.
The following are the names of the Fisherman who won this year’s prizes and their rank order:
1st
Place, Boat #61
Taras
Bilyj & Tom Kledzinski
2nd
Place, Boat #8
Frank
Schmalz & Rocco Desantis
3rd
Place, Boat #62
Duane Devries & Scott Basak
4th
Place, Boat #85
David
Joritz & Tim Silder
5th
Place, Boat #69
Donald
Oksanen & Mike Smith
6th
Place, Boat #71
Will
Zahn & Rob Dubeck
7th
Place, Boat #63
Robert
Myers & Joseph Nega
8th
Place, Boat #19
John
Folino & Mark Golinik
9th
Place, Boat #75
Joe
Incaprera & Brian Lecoure
10th
Place, Boat #47
Anthony
Lafata & Sam Incapriea
Biggest Fish
Joe
Incaprera
Pension Portability
Officers who were sworn Law Enforcement Officers in other Illinois Agencies prior to joining the Chicago Police Department are asked to fill out and return a portability form, which can be found on the FOP Web Site under the Current Updates section. The Lodge is currently seeking this information in regards to how many of our officers had previous Illinois Law Enforcement experience and who have paid into another pension fund.
By Sidney M. Davis
2004 FOP Picnic
It’s that time again; party, party, party with the F.O.P. at Santa’s Village. The Annual Picnic has been scheduled for July 21, 2004. The Board of Directors looks forward to seeing all of the familiar faces as well as new ones this year.
Watch Bids
Watch Bids will open again during the ninth period on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 and close on Wednesday, September 1, 2004. Section 31.5 (Filling of Vacancies) sets policy for bidding for a watch. Check with your Unit Rep if you are unsure on how to complete the form for bidding. An incomplete form or error can and may stop you from bidding to another watch. Officers who were placed in a management position during the annual bidding last November will not be allowed to bid for the same watch. The next time watch bidding comes around will be the annual bidding during the month of November of 2004 for watch positions for the year 2005. Good Luck.
FOP Board Meetings
The Lodge conducts its business for all members to attend on the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings start at 11 a.m. Any Lodge member may address the Board at 1:00 p.m.
The following events listed will occur from July 9, 2004 thru August 7, 2004. For further information on any events posted below contact the Lodge (312) 733-7776, and ask for Sid Davis.
09 Jul 04 German American Police Assoc Annual Picnic
10 Jul 04 Duty Availability
16 Jul 04 Transfer Order for the 8th Period
21 Jul 04 F.O.P. Annual Picnic
21 Jul 04 Noble Monthly Meeting
28 Jul 04 Recognized Openings in Districts and Units
30 Jul 04 Recognized Vacancies/Transfer Bids (Citywide)
30 Jul 04 Overtime Pay for (06 Jun 04 – 03 Jul 04)
01 Aug 04 Uniform Allowance
02 Aug 04 Chicago Police Ski Club Meeting
03 Aug 04 F.O.P. Board Meeting
03 Aug 04 Polish American Police Assoc. Meeting
03 Aug 04 Chicago Police Marine Assoc. Meeting
03 Aug 04 German American Police Assoc. Meeting
Closed Lock-Up
Arbitration
On Wednesday June 23, 2004 the arbitration case for the closed lock-ups was held at the Lodge. Since this is a contract interpretation case, the burden of proof falls upon the Lodge to prove the contract was violated. The sections of the contract that we feel were violated, are 23.9 Filling Unit Duty Assignments, and the Memorandum of Understanding regarding District Unit Bid Assignments. The important sentence in 23.9 that pertains to this case is found in the first paragraph of 23.9. “The employer agrees not to eliminate any Unit Duty Assignments listed in this Section for the duration of the contract”. This sentence, along with the positions of District Watch Relief, and Airport Law Enforcement Section Explosive Detection Canine Officer, were negotiated for and added to the July 1995 to June 1999 contract. One of the reasons for adding these sections to 23.9 was to give officers more stability and security in their positions, and to better plan their lives through the seniority bidding process. When the Department decided to close seven lock-ups, not only did they deprive bid officers of their contractual rights, but they also needlessly disrupted the officers’ lives.
In the arbitration the City put forth the position that they could close the lock-ups, and reassign a successful bidder for “temporary unit duty assignments for operational needs”. We can think of no operational need that is served by closing the lock-ups. Quite the contrary, we believe the Department needs the lock-ups open. The Department testified that the lock-up closings were a result of several meetings at 35th & Michigan. We don’t know who took part in these meetings, or at what length the lock-up closings were discussed. The City only presented one piece of documentation in the arbitration to explain their rationale for closing the lick-ups. That was a list of district lock-ups, the prisoner population, and the average amount of prisoners that are placed in a cell per year. The document didn’t account for prisoners that are released without charging or juveniles that have to be printed and photographed. So the City document didn’t give a true accounting of the total prisoner population. There was no apparent research done as to the effect closing lock-ups would have on down time for transporting or sitting on prisoners, while waiting to get them in the lock-up, or several other issues. If the Department has done any research, they have shared nothing with the Lodge regarding this program, either prior to implementation, or during the arbitration. The City has requested to submit a written brief in this case. We had originally hoped for oral arguments, and an arbitrator’s opinion by July 1st. The written briefs are now due by July 12th, and the arbitrator has said he will render an opinion within a week.
We called around the country talking to various other Police Departments to determine if this is being done anywhere else. Most of our calls were met with disbelief. The Boston Police actually tried the very same thing. They closed three of their lock-ups for approximately one year. The results in Boston were about what you would expect. Discretionary arrests (disorderly conduct, etc.) were down 68%. Response times to dispatcher assigned jobs went up considerably, because officers were transporting prisoners to different lock-ups, creating no car situations. Overtime went up because officers had to sit with prisoners while the still functioning lock-ups had their workloads increased, with no additional help. Whoever came up with this brainchild either never arrested and processed anyone for the Chicago Police Department, or has forgotten what it’s like to work the street. As I said before the Lodge was not allowed any input into this reckless exercise by the Department.
Put aside the fact that the Lodge was blindsided by this program. The Department has yet to share any rational reason for closing lock-ups. We don’t see how this even saves them any money. Using numbers provided by the city, over 36,000 prisoners will now have to be transported to other lock-ups. Calculating the man hours necessary to do this work, and erring generously on the Departments’ behalf, and including the twenty-one reassigned officers, the Department has a net loss of seventeen officers per year. Put all this aside, and think of the message the Department is sending. Don’t lock people up. I know our membership will continue to do the job we were hired to do. But the Department has just made it that much harder.
By
PO Carlos “Sal” Saladino, Chairman
Disability Report
The best of health from the Committee members. We are available for calls at the FOP office Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check out the Disability Page link on the FOP web site, www.chicagofop.org, for beneficial information.
Disability Star Update
I received a call from Sgt. Ray Gawne, Personnel, to view the new disability star that has been approved by Superintendent Philip Cline and is now in production. You can view a prototype sketch of the star from the graphic arts department on the FOP website, Disability link. A huge thank you from disabled police officers!
Pension Board Update
May meeting was attended by Officers Cedric Brumley, Steve Robbins, Ken Watt and Bill Dougherty. All these officers volunteer their time at these meetings. One case on Total and Permanent was continued and 4 cases for Duty Disability were heard.
CPD Hockey
The Committee would like to thank the CPD hockey players for their contribution to Chicago disabled police officers. Reminder: THE CLUB HAS OPEN SKATES IN AUGUST. For more information check out their web site – www.chicagopolicehockey.org.
Veteran’s Corner
World War II Memorial
A long time coming…I visited the World War II Memorial in our nation’s capitol this past Memorial Day. It honors 16 million American men and women in a war where over 400,000 died and hundreds of thousands were wounded. Veterans in wheel chairs, with canes, and walking slowly came to witness the dedication of their memorial. The memorial is placed between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial and is a great tribute and a memorable sight to see in Washington D.C.
Operation Enduring
Freedom
Our thoughts and prayers go to all of the CPD members activated in Operation Enduring Freedom who are actively serving our country in the military. For a complete listing of all CPD members currently serving, please contact me and I will send you the list.
Thank you to ‘Sol’ (Solon P. Tsaoussis) from Personnel for his help in recognizing these officers.
Airborne Sal
CHAPLAIN’S
CORNER
Make Worthwhile Memories, By Rabbi Moshe Wolf
A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle-faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart.
We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked. "Let's run through the rain!" she repeated. "No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain," "We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said. "No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If G~d can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If G~d let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Make time to run through the rain, it might rain on your parade, but it’s up to you to make it a moment worth remembering.
Blessings to all, for a safe July 4th. Have a pleasant, enjoyable summer.
May G-d bless you, keep you safe, and always keep you in his loving care.
Compliments of your Police Chaplain, Rabbi Moshe Wolf, 773-463-4780
moshewolf@hotmail.com
Legislative Update
The State Legislature has ended all activity except for the fight over the State budget. As a result all pension activity has been put on hold until the veto session in November.
Retiree Information
At our June meeting the Pension Board approved thirty-nine (39) Officers for Pension. All of these Officers retired prior to May 17th and they hold rank as follows:
Current & Total year to date:
Police Officers 26 279
Sergeants 6 43
Lieutenants 2 11
Exempts 5 16
Total to May 16 349
Board Duties
Every member of the Pension Board has a fiduciary
responsibility to the Fund. All votes
are taken based on the record that is established during the Meeting. This applies to all actions taken in regard
to Retirements, Ordinary Disability and Duty Disability cases. The same fiduciary responsibility controls
the votes taken in regard to investments of the Funds monies. These monies are there to provide for the Pensions
of you, the Retirees and Active Members of the Chicago Police Department. No investments based on political
considerations should be considered by the Board and I will not vote for any
questionable investments.
By Ken Hauser
The Dow Jones & Company, Inc. is the leading
international provider of financial and business news. The company published the Wall Street
Journal, Barron’s National Business and Financial Weekly newspapers, Smart
Money magazine as well as maintains the Dow Jones Industrial Average (30
industrial stocks), the best-known indicator of the stock market trends in the
United States. The other Dow Jones
Averages published, include one based on 20 transportation stocks, one based on
15 utility stocks and a composite based on all 65 stocks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (“The Dow”)
tracks price movements in 30 of the largest “blue-chip” issues traded on the
NYSE. The companies within the Dow
Jones Industrial Average will change from time to time depending on their
overall performance. On April 22, 2004,
the Dow Jones Industrial Average removed three companies from “The Dow” and
added three new companies. Removed
were: AT&T Corporation, Eastman
Kodak Co. and International Paper Co.
Added were: Pfizer, Inc.,
American International Group (AIG) and Verizon Communications, Inc.