Cook County Public Defenders Blog

Sisters and Brothers:

My apologies for not addressing you in a message for a few months.  As you may have imagined, trial schedules and union activity have been a sponge on my time.  Alas, a few days respite from a scheduled trial has provided me with enough time to tell you the following few tidbits of information:

International Convention Report

I am proud to tell you that our entire executive board attended the AFSCME biennial International Convention in Boston last month.  At the convention, a new international vice-president of AFSCME, Lee Saunders, was elected in a hotly contested race.  Of the three candidates, he won by a razor thin margin.  The Illinois delegation supported one of the other candidates who garnered a sizeable, 48.8% of the ballots cast.  I along with Amy Thompson and Joe Gump worked as election observers and I was present for the tabulation by the American Arbitration Association of the nearly 1.3 million votes that were cast by the delegates on behalf of their members.  In sum, our local continued to make its presence known not only among the Illinios delegation, but to AFSCME delegates from around the country, including Puerto Rico!

Golf Outing and Summer Bash

The golf outing was a succes thanks not only to the great weather this year but also to the hard work of people like David Figura, Amy Thompson, Cindy Brown and Dan Nolan.

The next summer event is our Summer Bash at Navy Pier on August 18th.  Please make sure you read all the fine print and get your checks in before the deadline.  The information can be found by clicking here.

Labor/Management Meeting

Tomorrow, July 16, 2010, the executive board will be meeting with the Public Defender and his senior management team for our regularly schedule labor/management meeting.  We always welcome suggestions for topics from the members and will be discussing issues that have been brought to our attention by many of you.

PD Softball Challenge

We are on the verge of announcing the date, time and location of our first ever PD Softball Challenge.  Please stay tuned.

Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser

At the time of this writing, I can count on one hand the number of  tickets left for the August 20, 2010 Braves/Cubs game with three hour after party at Rockit Bar and Grill.  Please contact me if you still need a ticket or want to purchase a wrist bands for the Rockit after party(of which we can purchase at least 50 more).  Click here for details.

Contract Negotiations

Another negotiation session is scheduled for 7/19/2010 and progress remains slow because of 1) the lame duck status of President Stroger and 2) the uncertainty of future budget figures and revenue.   At the moment, there are several police locals that are in interest arbitration which is scheduled to be completed in a few more weeks.  That award MAY set the tone for our next contract.  Please read my previous message for a fuller explanation of the interest arbitration process.

Job Audits

We are once again soliciting requests for job audits for those who believe they are working above their pay grade.  Please review the posting and provide your memo before the August 31, 2010 DEADLINE.

Office Picnic

The annual office picnic, which is patially underwritten by the local, promises to be a fun filled afternoon.  This year’s picnic will be held on August 7th at Schiller Woods, Grove 10.  That’s near Irving Park Road and Cumberland in one of the Cook County Forest Preserves.  Entertainment this year will include live music by Blackout, featuring APDs Dicky Paul, Jack Phalen, Tim O’Hara, David Dunne and Vernon Schleyer.  The local underwrites the pony rides and inflateable rides which are always a big hit with the youngstes.  Food and drink are always plentiful.  If you haven’t come out to the picnic before, make sure you do so this year.

The Attack on Public Employees

You may have noticed recently the attitude people have toward us now that the economy has tanked.  For years, we worked at laughable wages but with good benefits and job security.  Now, when the people who were making money hand over fist are  in financial chaos, they look at us with envious eyes and portray us as people who are undeserving of our rightful benefits.  They have pressured our elected officials to engage in short sighted “solutions”  like passing so called pension reform, but have done NOTHING to solve the current fiscal crisis that is facing our city, state and nation.  I left County out because the last half penny of the 1 cent Stoger sales tax that has not been repealed yet is what is keeping Cook County afloat.  If it goes away, and I have said it before, so do many jobs in this office and throughout the County.

It is our duty, and that means YOU and I, to make sure we hold our elected officials accountable and be involved in the political process.  It is also our duty to do our jobs in a competent and professional manner so that the taxpayers are given the full value of their tax dollars.

Speaking of competent and professional, let me welcome our nine newest brothers and sisters who have continued our local’s tradition of 100% full membership.

In Solidarity,

K.S. Galhotra

Newbies Everywhere

I am excited to welcome the 26 “newbies” to the ranks of our office and Local 3315.   Nineteen started in mid February and seven started in March.  In addition to each one becoming a full member of the Local, the 26 assistants also joined our political action committee at the MVP level.  Please reach out to our new brothers and sisters and share with them your wisdom, experience and support.

MVP “Flash Drive”

Speaking of MVP, our Local is proud to have won Council 31′s “Flash Drive”.  The award was given to our local for signing up the most members, during the period of the drive, at the new MVP level of any AFSCME Local of our size in Illinois.  If you signed up recently and have not received your new PEOPLE jacket, please call Joe Gump in Rolling Meadows.

Pizza and Pop

No doubt that the Flash Drive was a success based on the support of members at the nine Pizza and Pop meetings that were recently concluded.  At these meetings, members were informed of the current health and wage proposals made by the County in contract negotiations; the mechanics of transfers and promotions; the job audit process; and the importance of being signed up for email bursts by sending an email to board@cookcountypd.org Thanks to all of you who helped organize and attended the meetings.  The board is always open to hearing the ideas and thoughts that our members have.

Contract Negotiations

Contract negotiations have slowed considerably since the primary election.  The four AFSCME sheriff’s Locals in Cook County that have been in universal bargaining with us are headed into interest arbitration.  Because the police locals are not allowed to strike, interest arbitration is an available method of settling contract terms.  Essentially, interest arbitration requires both sides to propose their “best offer” and then the arbitrator chooses one of the two proposals as the award.  Needless to say, the incentive is for both parties to propose realistic offers.   The offers made by the County thus far in bargaining, have not been realistic.  It is hoped that the interest arbitration for the four sheriff’s locals will have a positive impact on the pace of our current bargaining with the County.

Labor Management Meetings

Four times a year, members of the Executive Board sit with high ranking members of management in an off the record, informal, wide ranging discussion of issues affecting the office.  The next meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2010.  We welcome suggestions from our membership for issues and topics of concern that would be appropriate for the meetings.  Feel free to pass on your suggestions by forwarding an email to board@cookcountypd.org

Summer Jack Carey Scholarship Deadline

Just a friendly reminder, the deadline for the Jack Carey Scholarship’s $2500 summer stipend is April 1, 2010.  If you have a 2L or 3L clerk working with you or who is interested in working in the office this summer, please have them apply.  Here is the link.

Facebook Page

If you are surfing the pages of Facebook, make sure to become a fan of the Local’s Facebook Page.  There you can find pictures, announcements, and links to relevant information for all Local members.

In Solidarity,

K. S. Galhotra

Wake and Funeral Mass Arrangements for Martha Fitzsimmons

 Wake:  Thursday Evening    February 25^th, 2010 McDonough Hall  (Gleason Building)  2^nd floor 1101 Columbian Avenue Oak Park, Illinois  60302

Visiting hours: 6 pm through 9 pm At 7:30 pm, there will be a special service with prayer, sharing memories, and music. Everyone who wishes to share a “Martha story” is asked to write up a reflection and bring it on Thursday evening to share with family and friends. All stories are being collected to create a memory book for Rafa.  

Memorial Mass:  11 AM  - Saturday , February 27^th, 2010  St. Giles Church  (Columbian and Greenfield) Oak Park, Il. 60302

 Reception:  McDonough Hall immediately after the service.

Some thoughts on Martha from Larry Spivack, President of the Illinois Labor History Society and Regional Director, AFSCME Council 31 and an AFSCME organizer who helped start this Local.

About 25 years ago Martha Fitzsimmons joined a zealous group of advocates. They were Cook County Public Defenders, but they were more than that. They were a band of activists who sought to bring a Union to the Public Defenders Office. In doing so they were able to bring a much greater sense of dignity to the job, not just in material terms, but also in creating a sense of community that had been lacking for some time. By September of 1987 a ground breaking Agreement between the Public Defender and AFSCME’s newest affiliate, the Cook County Public Defender’s Association had created something almost unimaginable: It was a contract between the parties that made a pathway for a financially durable career as a Public Defender and made an organization that lives to this day with one of the best contracts for attorneys who are sometimes referred to around the country as the Peoples’ Lawyers. Public sector lawyers around the country can, in part, thank Martha Fitzsimmons if they have competitive wages and benefits.

This Agreement would not have been reached or lasted as long without Martha Fitzsimmons. Martha was a hard bargainer, known to never mince words or to compromise without cause. Despite her strong opinions and ideas, Martha was one of the few who walked the walk and lived by her own words. Martha stayed active in the Union for the entirety of her career. If not out front on a bargaining committee or on the leadership team of the local union, Martha was a steward the entire time AFSCME represented our office. She was always a resource for younger attorneys who realized the idea of union representation was a natural role for an Assistant Public Defender but had no idea how to get there. Martha’s actions in helping build the union into a vibrant institution is not unique, but nevertheless unusual when it comes to Attorneys. Martha was one of the few who made the connection between unionization and social justice for the indigent and less fortunate. For Martha, defending the Constitution and defending her union contract were one in the same. And it wasn’t just about making more money. The connection to good working conditions and an office that promoted career service and the best criminal defense attorneys anywhere is not a simple concept to conjure. But Martha understood this quite well.

It may seem a bit hyperbolic to compare Martha to some of our early heroines in labor history. Mother Jones who fought to end child labor and the dehumanization and  degradation of coal miners; Elizabeth Gurley Flynn who helped bring justice to textile workers; Delores Huerta who struggled for farm worker’s rights or even Jane Adams who marched in nearly every worker’s cause. But we would be remiss if we didn’t think of Martha Fitzsimmons when we think of some of the women today who have advanced the cause of workers in general and women and children in particular.

I am sure that Martha will be remembered by many of her clients for how she helped them. It is my hope that any PD who has benefited from Martha’s lifetime of service to the office and her union will realize that their standard of living today, their ability to provide a extraordinary service to “the people” is in a large part, due to a women named Martha Fitzsimmons.

Well, there’s nothing like a controvsial topic to begin the new year, but according to the Gregorian calendar, the decade is not over until 12/31/10.  Nevertheless, I wish you all a very safe, happy and healthy new year.  We are crossing our fingers and hoping to have completed bargaining on a new contract by then and submitting  it to the membership for ratification.

Primary Election

As lawyers who appear before judges for a living, we know the importance of choosing  good judges in our elections.  But whom we choose to be County Board President, Commissioner or Governor can be just as important.  Although I wont tell you who to vote for in those races, I will tell you that it is vitally important for each one of you to be an informed voter.  And the burden and obligation to find out which candidate is best is placed squarely upon your shoulders. 

 To help you with that burden, the League of Women Voters, the Better Government Association and ABC Channel 7 will be airing 6 debates, one which already occurred but can be viewed online, to help you make these decisions.  

Because even lawyers who are well informed do not always know the backgrounds and qualifications of all the judicial candidates on the ballot, the Chicago Bar Associaton and the Chicago Council of Lawyers have made their evaluations of candidates avialble to voters on the world wide web.  You, your friends and relatives may want to review these two reports before casting your votes.  Early voting begins January 11th.

Pizza and Pop with the Executive Board

The Local’s Executive Board decided late last year to have meetings at most of our work sites in order to gain an understanding of any issues that concern the membership.  Executive at Large, Bruce Mosbacher, will be arranging the schedule of meetings.  Feel free to contact him at board@cookcountypd.org to help organize the meeting at your site because Bruce and the board may not be as familiar as you are with the best places and times to have our meetings.  We want to begin meetings after the February Primary election and hope to have them concluded by the middle of  March.

Job Audit Grievance Granted

In a prior posting, I asked, on behalf of the local, for members to send me a letter or memo indicating that you were working out of classification (for e.g.,  doing Grade 3 work but getting only Grade 2 pay).  Nearly 25  members sent me information outlining the work that they were doing and requested that the union ask that they be audited. 

The local sent a letter to management, pursuant to Section 19.1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, requesting audits of  each member that sent me a letter and the County eventually conducted job audits of each of those members.  The County auditors found fourteen of those members to be working above their pay grade. 

After extensive discussion among the Executive Board members of past practice and the promotion procedure under the contract, the Board decided to pursue a grievance on behalf of those members identified by the County as working above classification.  In December of 2009, Executive at Large Joe Gump and I met with management, had a hearing, and were pleased to have the grievance granted.  As a result of our success on the grievance, these members will be upgraded consistent with the audits within the next few weeks.

In Solidarity,

K. S. Galhotra

President

Well, I am back from a contract negotiation session between Cook County and the 15 AFSCME locals including ours.  I have to tell you that what we learned today from Jaye Williams, the new CFO for Cook County, is that the County is about $200 million in the hole for 2011, because of the half penny sales tax rollback passed by the county board.  Commissioners, swayed by angry anti-tax rhetoric from the Chicago Tribune and Sun Times editorial boards, voted to decrease the tax because they are under the mistaken belief that such a reduction in taxes will actually generate revenue – - even when there is no basis to believe this.   Ask yourself  this question: Would you drive outside the county to make a $1000 purchase to save $5?  I think not.

While Todd Stroger fought to veto this rollback, his efforts were thwarted by a new state law passed during the fall veto session by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Quinn that reduced the number of commissioners required to override a veto from 15 to 11.  12 commissioners voted for the rollback and  so a veto by the President would have been meaningless.  So now we are going to be $200 million in the hole.  Before we could take solace in the fact that the budget woes were with the City of Chicago and the State but not with Cook County.  Now we can join the State and City of Chicago in having an unbalanced budget and revenue shortfalls.

What we do know is that there will probably be a new County board president next year and maybe some new commissioners as well, and what they will have to address is how we are going to make up for the $200 million reduction in revenue.  It’s a problem that was solved — and now is back and not going away any time soon.

This rollback of the sales tax, championed by Commissioner Larry Suffredin, and supported by 11 other commissioners has dealt a blow to the County’s financial picture and will undoubtedly have a significant impact on our ability to secure a fair contract [read  'wages and good health care'].

PEOPLE ENDORSEMENTS

On December 15th, Joe Gump and I attended the AFSCME Region 1 PEOPLE committee meeting, (all AFSCME local presidents and PEOPLE chairs are voting members) and the committee voted to not endorse Commissioner Suffredin in his reelection bid.  The same “no endorsement” was given to each commissioner that voted to rollback the half penny tax.  The only candidates for commissioner that garnered our endorsement were:

Jerry Butler (3rd), Elgie Sims (4th), Deborah Sims (5th), Joan Murphy (6th), and  Jesus Garcia (7th).  Also endorsed for Assessor was Joe Berrios.

Similarly, based on the pledges by Dorothy Brown, Toni Preckwinkle and Terrence O’Brien to rollback the rest of the penny tax, there was no endorsement in the President’s race either.  Did I mention we did not endorse Todd Stroger?  His fight to veto the rollback was spirited, but too little, too late.   If you haven’t made up your mind yet on who you will vote for in the Cook County Board President race, you should attend a candidate forum that is being held on January 12th from 6-7:30 pm at the First United Methodist Church at Chicago Temple.  Also,  there was no endorsement in the Sheriff’s race.

And the “no endorsement” theme continues in the State races as well.  Neither Hynes nor Quinn will step up and support an income tax increase.   Illinois is in dismal financial straits, ranking only better than California.  The money has to come from somewhere and that is why HB 174, which raises personal income tax and adds services to the list of things that can be taxed,  is the best solution to the state’s fiscal crisis.  We need to support candidates who understand that cuts in services and wage concessions are not going to balance the budget.  And that is why the state PEOPLE committee declined to endorse either Hynes or Quinn for Governor.

DAN GALLAGHER, Carol Pearce McCarthy Vacancy, Cook County

ANN FINLEY COLLINS, 11th Judicial Subcircuit, Cook County

PAMELA LEEMING,* 11th Judicial Subcircuit, Cook County

TERRY MACCARTHY,**Philip Bronstein Vacancy, Cook County

*Pamela left the office when appointed to the bench last month.

**Terry is a supervisor at 26th St and a former local member.

If you looked at your paystub and noticed that you are not contributing $4.20 of every paycheck to the PEOPLE committee, you can call me at 26th Street for information on how to set up your voluntary deduction that will fund this vital political voice for our union.

UNICARE

Many of you have been asking about the status of Unicare HMO, which decided to pull out of Illinois effective December 31, 2009.  Today we learned from the County that next week, insurance cards will be sent to current Unicare members from a new Blue Cross Blue Shield plan that will have a network that will be comparable to but not identical to the Unicare plan.  Northwestern Memorial Hospital, however, will be included in the network.

ARDC

Withall the activity of the holiday season upon us we need to remember that a condition of employment is that we are on the master roll of attorneys licensed and registered to practice in Illinois.  Please protect your job status and complete the registration for next year withthe ARDC before it’s too late.   Although, we are in discussions with other state and local governmental agencies  about approaching the Illinois Supreme Court for reduced rates for government attorneys,  we must still pay the same rates as other practicing lawyers.   Please  avoid the headaches by ensuring that  you have registered and paid your dues to the ARDC.   You can even register online!

THANK YOU  to the HOLIDAY PARTY COMMITTEE

If you attended the annual holiday party at Moretti’s, you should know that the people to thank are Melissa Myer, Sara Spivy, Sarah Fransene and Kyan Keenan.    The hit of the party, as anyone who attended can tell you, was the photo booth that allowed members to dress up using festive props and have picturestaken with friends and co-workers that they could take home and enjoy for years to come.

TIME CONSIDERED SERVED – MITT TO ISSUE

Last week, Bryan Bowen (26th) left our office for private practice in Columbus, Ohio.  Bryan was assigned to the Felony Trial Division and had been an assistant public defender since June of 2004.  We wish Bryan the very best.

Soon, Brian Healy, a public defender since January of 1980, will retire.  Brian has spent almost twenty years representing the indigent accused in the Maywood courthouse. His level of dedication, experience and skill will be sorely missed.  Brian, Happy Trails to you too and thank you for your years of service to the citzens of Cook County.

Finally,  I want to wish you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season!

In Solidarity,

K. S. Galhotra

President

Sisters and Brothers,

I have a few things to mention in this update that will require you to make good use of your calendars.

Holiday Party

First, we have a date for our annual Holiday Party.  The party will take place, once again, at Moretti’s on Jackson.  The date is Friday, December 11, 2009. Needless to say, more details are forthcoming.  The committee this year will be co-chaired by Mellissa Myer (1st), Sara Spivy, Sara Fransene and Kyan Keenan (26th).

Open Enrollment

By now, you should have received a package from the County to acquaint you with the annual open enrollment period for benefits, which ends on October 31, 2009.  Please make any necessary changes before the deadline.  Remember, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependant care do not roll over and must be activated each year.

Jack Carey Scholarship Deadline is 11/1/09

November 1, 2009 is the deadline for the  Jack Carey Scholarship applications for the Winter/Spring of 2010.  The application (which has not been changed for years) is available on our website and can be submitted electronically.  The $2,500 scholarship is available to law clerks who clerk in our office, regardless of the job site. Make sure you have your clerks apply for the scholarship if they are planning on coming back in 2010 to clerk with us.   If you know other eligible law students who would like to clerk for the office next semester, please don’t hesitate to tell them about the scholarship also.

Negotiations

The next round of universal negotiations is on 10/19/09.  As you know, progress has been very slow and I will keep the membership apprised of any developments.

Courtesy

We have very stressful jobs with challenges from not only our adversaries,  but from the caselaw, the judges  and sometimes our clients also.  In these circumstances, it’s easy to get frustrated and angry at the people around us including our union brother and sister attorneys, investigators and support staff.  We should make every effort to be courteous and respectful to our co-workers.  Please make courtesy to the people you work with and around a priority.

Sincerley,

K. S. Galhotra

President

Brothers and Sisters:

On behalf of the Executive Board of Local 3315, I want to wish you all a Happy Labor Day and suggest that if you have no plans for Labor Day, that you consider attending the Labor Day Rally at the Historic Pullman Works.   Whatever you do, please have a safe holiday.

Negotiations:

Although we had two universal negotiations cancelled by the County in August, we are hopeful that one will be scheduled shortly so we can work towards an agreement on wages and health-care.  At the same time, local negotiations have  proceeded smoothly and are near resolution.

Thank Yous: 

Our summer social events were successful and memorable:  the Navy Pier Event was well attended and thanks go to Amy Thompson (HTF) and Cindy Brown (HTF) for putting together a beautiful evening; also, kudos to David Figura (MDD) for the difficult and thankless task of organizing the Local’s golf outing; despite the threatening weather, many brave members showed up and enjoyed not only golf, but a wonderful banquet too; and thanks also to the wonderful support from friends, members and judges for the Jack Carey Scholarship event at Wrigley Field, including the Cook County Public Defender, A.C. Cunningham Jr.!

Nutshell III:

Despite the announcement in the memorandum distributed by the training division, the Union will not be sponsoring a cocktail reception on any day of the Nutshell.   The Executive Board voted to not spend local funds on this event in light of the lack of public transportation from the event and also the desire to curtail unnecessary expenses during these difficult economic times.

MVP: 

Speaking of difficult economic times, it is important to have our union voices heard at the County, State and Federal levels.  Because we cannot use your regular union dues for political purposes, it is vital that you join PEOPLE , the political action committee of AFSCME, at the MVP level of $4.20 per pay period.  Many of our members are already PEOPLE members but are giving at the previous VIP level of $2.10 per pay period.  Please up your contribution to the MVP level by contacting  any Executive Board member or calling PEOPLE chair Joe Gump at the Rolling Meadows courthouse.

Resurrection Health Care:

On September 25 and 26, Resurrection workers and their supporters will hold a 36 hour vigil for justice at Resurrection Health Care.
When ?  from 6am Friday, September 25 until 6pm Saturday, September 26.
Where?- 7432 W Talcott, across the street from Resurrection Medical Center
 
Please join us at the vigil or call Kathy Steichen for more information at (312) 320-7717.

Finally, the Executive Board enjoyed meeting and speaking with the new members who attended the new member dinner.  We hope Dylan Barrett, Andre Abale, Lauren Threatte, Matt Bartz, Brent Sigg, Randalyn Peterson, Steve Herczeg had a fun time and gained some understanding of the history of our Local union from the presentation given by our former president and retiree, Dave Eppenstein. 

In Solidarity,

K. S. Galhotra

Here is a little update for the membership on what’s going on with our local.

Installation of New Board and Trustees

The recently elected executive board and trustees of Local 3315 will be sworn-in in a ceremony on July 21, 2009 by our former brother and now Judge, Stuart Paul Katz.

1% Arbitration

The Cook County Comptroller has contacted us and indicated that our 1% salary increase will show up on our pay checks that we will receive on 7/24/09.  Retro to follow at a still unknown date.  Sounds like good news, but prudence requires you to not spend a dime of it until you get it.  It’s about the Roosevelts, baby!  For those of you who have not signed up at the MVP level for our Political Action Committee, PEOPLE, please consider doing so, using this”windfall”.  See any local board member or steward for a canary color, Voluntary People Deduction Authorization Form.

Contract Negotiations:

Given the current economic and political climate, you will not be surprised to learn that negotiations are progressing at a snail’s pace.  In the forthcoming weeks, the Union will be asking it’s members to engage in solidarity day activities which will involve the donning of buttons or stickers at your work sites.  Please participate to publicize your support of your bargaining team’s efforts during these difficult times.  More information will be distributed as it becomes available.

Summer Party

Our local’s summer party will be at the Beer Garden at Navy Pier on July 29, 2009.  As of 7/17/09, we have a little over 100 guests who have sent in their checks.  The deadline for submitting your rsvp is 7/22/09 so please don’t miss the boat. . .  so to speak.  Details on how to RSVP are in my prior message on this website.

Golf Outing

Our annual golf outing will be held at Eaglewood resort on August 27, 2009 and if you are interested in golfing, please call David Figura at the Multiple Defendant Divison downtown so he can get you a tee time.  If you can put together a foursome, that would be helpful.  Golfers must arrive at the resort a minimum of 20 minutes before their tee time!

Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship named in memory of our local’s past president is set to award the next scholarship for the winter of 2009-2010.  The deadline is November 1, 2009 and the Scholarship tab on the local’s home page can provide your law clerks with the necessary forms and other information about the scholarship for public defender law clerks.

The fundraiser for the scholarship is going to be on September 1, 2009 at Wrigley Field with the Cubs hosting the Astros in a game that is sure to play a role in the race for the division championship.  Information on how to get tickets is available online.  While sales have been brisk, some tickets remain for the procrastinators among us.

In Solidarity,

K. S. Galhotra

President, Local 3315

Cook County Public Defenders Association

1%:  It’s my money and I want it now!

Yes, we won the arbitration.  No, the County is not appealing the ruling of the arbitrator.  But when are we going to see the money?   Good question.  I can tell you that last week, Council 31 approved the revised pay grid that was sent by the County in light of the arbitration which includes the 1% salary adjustment and that pay grid was sent to the Comptroller last week for implementation.  I don’t have a date certain for when it will appear on our checks and if I did, they probably would blow that date anyway.  So you are waiting just like me and it’s our money and we want it now.

Summer Party

Our Local will be having its annual summer celebration at a new location this year: NAVY PIER BEER GARDEN.  This location is very convenient via public transportation.  The Local leadership encourages everyone to use public transportation to avoid unnecessary legal and financial complications.

Here are the details: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 6pm to 10 pm. Members and Law Clerks are free but you need to send a $10.00 refundable check for each member or clerk attending to the Local Secretary, Amy Thompson, at 26th St. (HTF) and you must do it by July 22, 2009 (read deadline).  The checks should be made payable to “The Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship Fund”. When you arrive at the party, you can choose to claim your check or you can donate it to the memorial scholarship.  If you don’t show up, there is no refund.

By the way, here is the policy on guests, who are not members and not clerks:  the non-refundable check you send in to reserve and admit your guest must be made payable as above but the amount is $25.00.

See you at the pier.

MVP

You probably received a letter by now from the Local written by Local Vice President, Brendan Max urging your participation in the People program at the MVP level of $4.20 per pay period.  We have had an excellent response and ask those of you who have not yet responded to do so because your participation in our political action committee ensures that our voice is heard by politicians who determine the funding level for our salaries and benefits.

Golf Outing

Thanks to Dave Figura (MDD) who is chairing our golf outing committee.  Dave is searching for a good date and location for the outing.  A date and location will be posted as soon as it is available.

Rosa Silva

Congratulations to sister Rosa Marie Silva, who was recently elected as president of the Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois.  Rosa, we are all very proud of your accomplishment and wish you a very productive term!

Contract Negotiations

Difficult contract negotiations between the union and the County of Cook continue and we will update the members via email bursts as circumstances warrant.  Not getting the emails?  Stay in the know by sending us your name and worksite via email to board@cookcountypd.org

Jack Carey Memorial Scholarship

And finally, please put September 1, 2009 on your calendar.  That’s the day 100 of you will be partying and watching the Cubs play the Astros at Wrigley Field.  Tickets are selling now for the two hour party and night game at a discounted price of $85.00 until June 30th.  The prices go up to $100 dollars after that.  Sox fan?  Just send money.  Thanks for supporting the scholarship that benefits law clerks who clerk at our office!

In Solidarity,

K.S. Galhotra,

President, Local 3315