Via CPSA website

CONTRACT UPDATE: 19 July 09
On 15 July 09, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Mayor Daley stated that "he'll roll the dice and ask an independent arbitrator to dictate new contracts with police officers and firefighters who must do their part to help solve the city's financial crisis."

Prior to this statement by the Mayor, the City's negotiating team never proposed seeking arbitration. In fact, as recent as a few days prior to this announcement by the Mayor we had been attempting to schedule a negotiation meeting with the City in an effort to resolve our differences. Apparently the term negotiating in "good faith" only applies to us.

As of this date we have not been formally notified that the City is seeking interest arbitration. In fact, the City has yet to present a final proposal for our consideration.

We fully understand the current economic conditions the City is challenged with, but our members deserve a fair wage increase that reflects the cost of living in the City of Chicago. The City would like the public to believe that we are being unreasonable in our demands, but there are a few things the City and news reporters do not inform the public about; for instance that our members are being compensated at 2007 salary levels and that the City wants to maintain that wage level through 2012, additionally our members have a residency requirement that prevents them from moving outside the City in an effort to seek financial relief in the form of more affordable housing, educational choices for their children and lower tax rates.

It is our intention to meet with the City in an effort to continue negotiating and attempt to resolve our differences. If the City decides not to present us with a final proposal for our membership to consider and instead demands interest arbitration then we will take the necessary steps to address the City’s position.

John Pallohusky
President - CPSA