|
State law says, unlike teachers, first responders cannot strike
and instead must go to binding arbitration to discuss things
they seek to gain through collective bargaining.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President John Catanzara said
a deal is in place for a bonus for officers who have been on the
force for 20-plus years and sets up negotiations for recently
terminated officers.
"The reality is this, we will be getting some form of a
retention bonus, even the city's proposal calls for it,"
Catanzara said on a YouTube video Friday. "The arbitration for
termination cases is also in the city's proposal."
In a June Chicago Police Magazine president's letter, Catanzara
explained why he sought the termination clause.
"When an officer is facing termination, we want the ability to
pick arbitration or bring it to the police board. Let the
officer decide. If it's not police board, then arbitration,"
Catanzara wrote, "Whoever agreed to it always being the police
board, it was a bad idea to give up arbitration. I guess maybe
it was because the police board wasn't as much of a hit piece as
it is now."
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, told The Center Square that
retention benefits are needed to keep competent police officers
in the city.
"We should retain those [officers] that have proven to be
gentlemen and women of good character on our police force," Ford
said. "I support those types of bonuses and retention for
police."
Ford does hear criticism against the idea of a retention bonus.
"Some of the things I hear is that the police budgets are
already exceeding social service budgets in certain areas. I
have heard people saying things like 'we need reforms before we
spend new money,'" Ford said.
A city council decision on the deal is expected in the weeks
ahead.
Leaders of the union representing Chicago police are also urging
Mayor Brandon Johnson for parental leave and have said they will
pursue legal action if the policy is not granted as it recently
was for the city's teachers.
|
|
