FOP's "Truth" in Negotiating: How Your Union Didn't Fight for You

Do you think the FOP utilized all of its resources to intelligently negotiate the best deal they could for their officers? If you do, think again. We charted a timeline for this past contract negotiation regarding wages using such sources as the FOP website and newsletters, newspaper articles, as well as two prior arbitration decisions Arbitrator Benn awarded shortly before his FOP/City of Chicago decision.

The timeline is as follows:

• June 28, 2008  Comparison of FOP and City of Chicago economic proposals as of June 28, 2008. This was taken from the FOP website and has since been removed. (Image of document at bottom)
• January 27, 2009  Cover page of Arbitrator Benn's decision rendered against Illinois State Police Masters Sergeants. (Image of document at bottom)
• January 27, 2009  Select paragraphs from the Illinois State Police Master Sergeants award, in which Arbitrator Benn states, "(T)here has never been a worse time for a union to find itself in the interest arbitration process." Arbitrator Benn ruled in favor of the state over the police union. (Image of document at bottom)
• March 21, 2009  Chicago Sun-Times article, in which Mayor Daley pulls a 16.1% raise offer. The FOP was still seeking a 24% increase.
• March 23, 2009  Cover page of Arbitrator Benn's decision for the Boone County's Sheriffs, rendered on March 23, 2009, two days after Mayor Daley pulled the 16.1% increase offer. (Image of document at bottom)
• March 23, 2009  Select paragraphs of the Boone County Sheriffs' award, in which Arbitrator Benn states again, "there has never been a worse time for a union to find itself in the interest arbitration process." Again, Arbitrator Benn ruled in favor of the municipality over the police union regarding wages. (Image of document at bottom)
• July 29, 2009  Chicago Tribune news article describing the the City of Chicago decision to initiate arbitration proceedings. After this date, the City and the FOP were offered three arbitrators. Despite his published decisions, the FOP agreed on Arbitrator Benn.
• April 16, 2010  The union claims the 16.1% was contigient upon three unpaid furlough days. Such a claim is totally contradictory to the award issued by the arbitrator. Arbitrator's decision - go to page 47
• April 16, 2010 
  • Arbitrator awards 10%. A Tribune article states the raise was on the table for more than a one year period. Team Shields was especially disgusted with this quote, "Daley offered a 16 percent raise over five years, but pulled that off the table in March 2009 after it sat there for more than a year as police union leaders dug in. On Friday, independent arbitrator Edwin Benn ruled officers would get a 10 percent raise over five years. That's far shy of both what Daley offered and the 19 percent the union had asked for at the start of arbitration. Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue fired back at the mayor, saying Daley yanked the 16 percent offer before it was fully discussed amid debate on other contract issues." We take issue with Donahue's statement that the 16% was yanked quickly - the union had more than a year to review this.
• July 2010  In this month's FOP newsletter, 3rd Vice President Bella's report states, "The City did offer us a 16.1% pay increase for a five year period with a the caveat that we take three unpaid furlough days to  help the Mayor during these trying economic times." This statement is contrary to the arbitrator's decision and is nowhere to be found in the FOP's own handout.
• November 11, 2010  Crain's Chicago Business article, a critical jab at the floundering efforts of the FOP teamt coordinating the negotiations.

Comparison of FOP and City of Chicago economic proposals as of June 28, 2008. This was taken from the FOP website and has since been removed.



Cover page of Arbitrator Benn's decision rendered against Illinois State Police Masters Sergeants



Previous decision by Arbitrator Benn-Select paragraphs from the Illinois State Police Master Sergeants award

Chicago Sun-Times article, in which Mayor Daley pulls a 16.1% raise offer. The FOP was still seeking a 24% increase




Cover page of Arbitrator Benn's decision for the Boone County's Sheriffs, rendered on March 23, 2009, two days after Mayor Daley pulled the 16.1% increase offer



Select paragraphs of the Boone County Sheriffs' award, in which Arbitrator Benn states again, "there has never been a worse time for a union to find itself in the interest arbitration process." Again, Arbitrator Benn ruled in favor of the municipality over the police union regarding wages.

describing the the City of Chicago decision to initiate arbitration proceedings. After this date, the City and the FOP were offered three arbitrators. Despite his published decisions, the FOP agreed on Arbitrator Benn.

The union claims the 16.1% was contigient upon three unpaid furlough days. Such a claim is totally contradictory to the award issued by the arbitrator.

Arbitrator awards 10%. A Tribune article states the raise was on the table for more than a one year period. Team Shields was especially disgusted with this quote, "Daley offered a 16 percent raise over five years, but pulled that off the table in March 2009 after it sat there for more than a year as police union leaders dug in. On Friday, independent arbitrator Edwin Benn ruled officers would get a 10 percent raise over five years. That's far shy of both what Daley offered and the 19 percent the union had asked for at the start of arbitration. Fraternal Order of Police President Mark Donahue fired back at the mayor, saying Daley yanked the 16 percent offer before it was fully discussed amid debate on other contract issues." We take issue with Donahue's statement that the 16% was yanked quickly - the union had more than a year to review this.