According to an article from CBS Chicago, the union representing Chicago's sworn police officers announced their contract demands today, which includes numerous demands regarding pay and benefits associated with the job. Along with wanting a substantial pay raise, the union is putting the pressure on the city to offer for income supplements at a time when the city is scaling back government spending.
Here are some facts, details, and statistics about the contract demands announced today and the response from Mayor Rahm Emanuel:
* The Chicago Sun-Times reported that police officers are insisting on a 12 percent pay raise over a two-year time span. This demand stems as a way to compensate for the pay losses that rank-and-file police officers experienced in the last contract agreement.
* The Fraternal Order of Police is demanding that the city pay each officer a $3,000-per-year residency stipend since officers are required to live within city limits. It also wants $2,100 for the yearly uniform allowance.
* Under the proposal, police officers could reach the maximum salary limit, with the current amount set at $86,130, after 20 years of service instead of 25 years, noted DNAinfo.
* Chicago police have not had a contract since last June and are forbidden to go on strike.
* Furthermore, they also want to reduce the number of promotions based on merit from 20 percent to 10 percent.
* The union is trying to gain back a concession it agreed upon back in 2005 when police took a 15.5 percent pay raise over a four-year span in exchange for a 33 percent increase in the amount individual officers contribute to their health insurance.
* Now, police officers want to reduce the amount they have to contribute to their own insurance.
* Another demand is that the police department retires squad cars and all other police vehicles after they reach 90,000 miles.
* Union president Michael Shields commented that the negotiation demands are realistic and were as a result of input from union members.
* Another Chicago Sun-Times article reported that Mayor Rahm Emanuel has not expressed support for the demands, but has instead said that he will "represent the taxpayers and what they can afford."
* He also refuses to publicly discuss the matter and stands behind his commitment of putting more police on Chicago's streets, especially after rises in violent crime have continued to plague the city.
* The mayor emphasized his respect for Chicago's police officers but further noted that the city is still under the stress of its looming pension crisis, as well as a state law that requires the city to make a $700 million contribution to police and fire pension funds.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. Currently pursuing her master's degree in environmental science, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
source: http://news.yahoo.com/chicago-police...232500499.html
Here are some facts, details, and statistics about the contract demands announced today and the response from Mayor Rahm Emanuel:
* The Chicago Sun-Times reported that police officers are insisting on a 12 percent pay raise over a two-year time span. This demand stems as a way to compensate for the pay losses that rank-and-file police officers experienced in the last contract agreement.
* The Fraternal Order of Police is demanding that the city pay each officer a $3,000-per-year residency stipend since officers are required to live within city limits. It also wants $2,100 for the yearly uniform allowance.
* Under the proposal, police officers could reach the maximum salary limit, with the current amount set at $86,130, after 20 years of service instead of 25 years, noted DNAinfo.
* Chicago police have not had a contract since last June and are forbidden to go on strike.
* Furthermore, they also want to reduce the number of promotions based on merit from 20 percent to 10 percent.
* The union is trying to gain back a concession it agreed upon back in 2005 when police took a 15.5 percent pay raise over a four-year span in exchange for a 33 percent increase in the amount individual officers contribute to their health insurance.
* Now, police officers want to reduce the amount they have to contribute to their own insurance.
* Another demand is that the police department retires squad cars and all other police vehicles after they reach 90,000 miles.
* Union president Michael Shields commented that the negotiation demands are realistic and were as a result of input from union members.
* Another Chicago Sun-Times article reported that Mayor Rahm Emanuel has not expressed support for the demands, but has instead said that he will "represent the taxpayers and what they can afford."
* He also refuses to publicly discuss the matter and stands behind his commitment of putting more police on Chicago's streets, especially after rises in violent crime have continued to plague the city.
* The mayor emphasized his respect for Chicago's police officers but further noted that the city is still under the stress of its looming pension crisis, as well as a state law that requires the city to make a $700 million contribution to police and fire pension funds.
Rachel Bogart provides an in-depth look at current environmental issues and local Chicago news stories. Currently pursuing her master's degree in environmental science, she applies her knowledge and passion to both topics to garner further public awareness.
source: http://news.yahoo.com/chicago-police...232500499.html