Lodge & Meeting 17 Dec 13

FOP Meeting 17 Dec 2013

by FTO Kevin C. Jans 19016 024 Dist Rep

Prior to the meeting President Shields accused Past President Mark Donahue, 1st Vice President Bill Dougherty,  Financial-Secretary Rich Aguilar and past 3rd Vice-President Greg Bella with entered into ‘pre-determined’ and ‘back-room deal’ arbitrations ,which included precise, agreed-to findings and language, with the City and Arbitrator Edwin Benn for our last two contracts.  President Shields stated that he got his information from Attorney Paul Geiger.  These charges were printed in the Sun Times newspaper.

At the start of the meeting President Mike Shields was served with a letter from the State Lodge by State Vice President Kevin Graham, CPD 019 Dist. He was ordered to leave the Lodge as his membership had been suspended and he could no longer act as President.  A call was made to CPD to have Officer Graham arrested.  CPD showed up and when informed of the situation they left without Officer Graham.  President Shields refused to leave the meeting.  Mike then spoke about the park district’s new contract which reduced benefits and increased costs for health care to retirees.  Because it was agreed on by their union, the City feels that the State Constitution’s protections won’t won’t come into play.  The Lodge believes that the provisions of the State Constitutional can not be waved. 

Mike was asked to read the papers that the State Lodge had sent.  He then read the letter to those present.

1st VP Bill Dougherty stated that Paul Geiger was at the last board meeting and said that Attorney Geiger had no knowledge of any malfeasance during the contract arbitration.  A recording was played of the Board meeting and Paul Geiger is heard saying that he has no knowledge of the negotiations because he was not involved with the negotiations.  Paul Geiger denied knowing anything about a fix and just suggested that it could be found in emails between Tom Plines and the City, so Paul suggested to save those emails.

In arbitration  50 officers were given their time back for iod due to Coventry not approving surgeries for their injuries.  They had been charged for their time away from the job by the City and the City wanted them to go on disability.  All 50 officers had their time restored and got their surgeries.

On 19 Feb 2014  there will be bullet resistant vest show at the hall.  Most major vest manufactured will be there.

In Branch 50, Judge Tom Donnelly in out of 50 cases found only 4 had probable cause.  The judge goes out of his way to put on the record that the officers are liars.  He is a visiting Judge and it is suggested that if you are to appear in his court room, go to the second floor and go before the Grand Jury and get an indictment.  The Lodge will have more info for 2014 judge elections.  The Lodge Board voted not to give and money to any politician who voted for "pension reform”.

A member that was indicted for taking police action while on duty and suspended without pay, is back on the job.  The City refused to pay indemnification for this  officer and over was 200,000.00 in legal fees were paid by the Lodge.  Which the Lodge is trying to recover in arbitration from the City.

A phone call with IPRA Chief Scott Ando, former DEA agent.  Our contract states that no officer shall answer any allegation without appropriate affidavit.  Right now IPRA is not providing a copy of a signed affidavit to officers under investigation.  Call the Lodge immediately.  The Lodge wants makers of false affidavit turned over to state attn. as the law currently states,  but the law also states that if affidavits are covered by a contract, the contract takes precedence.  This must be fixed.  Either by state law or negotiations.  

The Lodge won the NATO change of starting time arbitration.  The arbitrator gave the City 90 days to identify those who had their times changed. 

Some review officers were placed on the desk and a grievance was filed, the arbitrator dismissed the class action and held for an individual.  He found that desk, review and lockup are all the same assignments.  The Lodge is reviewing the award.  The City is trying to get rid of the review officer position.  

The City has decided that no veteran will loose any limited duty time for injuries in service to our country.  

It his my understanding that President Shields has been assigned to 018 and will report some time in January after he finishes his furlough.