It's that time again. Chicago police officers' working contract will expire on June 30 after four years, and negotiations will soon begin to put a new contract in place. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 is the bargaining agent and will be engaged in contract talks on behalf of Chicago police officers below the rank of Sgt. They have been doing so since 1983.
Prior to the Fraternal Order of Police becoming the sole bargaining agent for police officers in Chicago, there were two other organizations that also assumed that status. The Confederation of Police (COP), which was headed up by Joe Pecoraro and the Afro-American
Patrolman's League (AAPL) under the leadership if Renault
Robinson,
shared the responsibility
and privilege of representing the labor or any other interests of Chicago police officers up until 1981.
COP had the highest
enrollment of the department and AAPL boasted 99% of all African American police officers on the Chicago Police Department as members. Each organization's
membership dues were automatically deducted from the payroll checks of those who had signed up to become members. It was during the administration of former mayor Jane Byrne, who persisted in ensuring that Chicago police would be represented by only one organization, the FOP emerged as the only group to be deemed by the city and state to represent Chicago police officers.
The FOP now attests to a membership of over 10,000. One African American serves on the Board as the Recording Secretary. Some police officers above the rank of patrol officer, choose to become members and voluntarily pay as an associate member.
Patrol officers have no choice as to whether or not they wish to pay dues to the FOP. The most an officer can do if she/he does not want to become a full share member is to pay 80% of the required dues. They will then be classified as a fair share member.
I was unable to access the exact number of fair share members. Becoming one is highly discouraged by the FOP. I discovered this when contemplating becoming one in 1999. Aside from being told you cannot attend the Annual FOP Picnic, it was emphatically stated that I would not be eligible for legal defense services. I have never attended an FOP picnic, but during almost 21 years with the CPD, I required legal representation numerous times for jobrelated matters which the FOP supplied.
Contract agreements between the City of Chicago and the FOF traditionally have a four year duration. For the past several contracts, negotiations have not concluded on time, therefore officers ultimately receive retroactive benefits. Wages and health care generally dominate as matters of concern whenever contract renewal is pending. The FOP is proposing a 24% wage increase for its' members over a four year period in increments of 4%(July 1, 2007), 5%(January 1, 2008), 5%(January 1, 2009), 5%(January 1, 2010) and 5%(January 1, 2011).
Due to the fact that Chicago maintains a residency requirement Tor all Chicago police officers, a $3000.00 per year (Chicago Living Adjustment) is also being proposed. Allegedly the rationale behind this proposal is that it is more expensive to Jive in the city than many surrounding suburbs, therefore officers need assistance to their yearly earnings. The current beginning salary for a Chicago police officer is $43,104, after 15 years ($73,116) and after 25 years ($78,006). I suppose an extra $3000.00 would help with dosing costs if an officer wanted to purchase a home in Chicago. Unfortunately, Community Policing is not being mandated by the city nor proposed by FOP. Although, it should not be negotiated, it doesn't even appear on the radar.
[Author Affiliation]
Patricia Hill is the Executive Director of the African American Police League.
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