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Prison contract work rules hit

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* Illinois Department of Corrections chief Donald Stolworthy wrote a recent memo to Gov. Rauner outlining some problems with union work rules…

Back in February, more than 1,000 state prison workers decided they’d rather spend their Sunday night watching Russell Wilson and Tom Brady play football.

Using rules outlined in their collective bargaining agreement, the employees told their bosses they wouldn’t be working their shifts that day, triggering a Super Bowl shuffle for overtime that officials say ended up costing Illinois taxpayers an additional $325,000 in wages.

* OK, let’s stop right there. The Super Bowl was February 1st. Do you know what else happened that day? A gigantic freaking blizzard…

A slow-moving winter storm blanketed a large swath of the Plains and Midwest in snow Sunday, forcing the cancellation of thousands of flights, making roads treacherous and forcing some people to rethink their plans to attend Super Bowl parties. […]

Forecasters also said the storm was moving unusually slowly, meaning accumulations of between 10 to 16 inches of snow are possible for parts of northern Illinois, Indiana and northwest Ohio. Similar amounts of snow are expected for the Northeast later Sunday and throughout Monday.

“It’s not wise to travel, unless you have an emergency,” said David Beachler a National Weather Service meteorologist in the Chicago area.

* Back to the story…

Along with the Super Bowl example, the state’s master contract allows overtime to be assigned by seniority.

“More expensive workers get more work,” the document notes.

The memo also says corrections officers are paid overtime for the 15-minute roll call that occurs at the beginning of their shifts. The administration said the price tag for that alone was $22 million last year.

* AFSCME’s response…

AFSCME has worked for years to address IDOC’s overtime problem caused by a chronic understaffing: The department has fewer than 11,000 employees where a decade ago it had 17,000, while the prison population has actually increased. The union has long urged IDOC to hire adequate staff to improve safety and reduce overtime costs, and to work together with the union to improve operations.

We are always willing to discuss ways to operate correctional facilities better and more safely, but we believe that prison employees who put themselves at risk to keep all citizens safe earn their pay and deserve to be fairly compensated.

When looking at overtime, taking any single day out of context misses the point that the department is systematically short-staffed. Poor management exacerbates this systemic problem. If the department anticipates staffing challenges on a specific date, for example, it can run a ‘holiday’ schedule whereby it seeks volunteers to work the time well in advance.

Specifically with respect to Feb. 1, much of the state was hit by a significant blizzard on that date which made roads impassable in many cases. A foot of snow had been forecast; the Chicago region was socked with more than 19 inches, the rest of northern Illinois 12 inches and central Illinois 8 inches, plus 45 mph winds. Such conditions are just one factor – some foreseeable, some not – that can lead to overtime but could be largely mitigated by (1) having adequate staff on hand to begin with and (2) better management.

Regarding seniority, the department’s statements are misleading. Overtime is first offered to employees in descending order of seniority to ensure that factors such as favoritism are not improperly wielded by management. Then, the union contract actually provides for a system that bases overtime distribution on who has worked the least amount of overtime, regardless of seniority. This method helps to foster workplace safety by minimizing the risk of employees working two straight shifts or working 20 or more hours of overtime in the same week. Finally, if there is no other option, mandatory overtime can be compelled in *reverse* seniority order, meaning that the lowest-cost employee ends up working the time.

Finally, on roll call, it is voluntary and takes place outside employees’ scheduled hours. And there is no requirement in the union contract that management hold roll call. Yet it is critically important to safety, because it provides an opportunity for the committed, professional staff of DOC to get vital information and training essential to their dangerous work. Employees should be fairly paid for their participation.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:42 pm

Comments

Fire him.
He failed to do any basic research as to why this occurred. I’d hate to imagine someone this incompetent working at this level of government.

He couldn’t ask anyone what happened? He write this crap based on anecdotal coincident? Unbelievable.

Fire him.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Call off on Super Bowl Sunday in the private sector = Unemployed

Comment by seen the big picture Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:54 pm
The Governor should just do an EO to change the contract, hell he’s done it before, these issues should be easier than Fair Share fees.

Comment by nadia Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Do non-OT employees get credit for attending roll call? Is attendance at roll call required?

I’m guessing the answer to both is yes……if so, how is it that this is an issue? If you require an employee to be present and he’s in OT status, why wouldn’t he/she be entitled to 15 minutes of time & a half? How dare those scumbag prison guards get paid for an extra 12.5 minutes for something they’re required to do?

Comment by Get a Job! Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:57 pm
===Call off on Super Bowl Sunday in the private sector = Unemployed===

It wasn’t the Super Bowl, it was a snow storm.

You’re welcome.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:58 pm
Call off on Super Bowl Sunday in the private sector = Unemployed

Want to stop by my office in the private sector the day after the Super Bowl? A lot of empty chairs (mine sometimes included).

Comment by Dean Keaton Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 12:59 pm
how much o/t was paid on super bowl Sunday the year before? The answer will help explain whether this year’s o/t was super bowl or super storm related.

Comment by Do It Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:07 pm
– a Super Bowl shuffle of overtime —

Shecky Green, here.

Gee, I almost missed the underlying tone of contempt in the memo the “boss” has for his “employees,” it was so subtle.

It sure is hard to respect people who have that sweet rocking chair of a job working in prisons. It’s like working every day at Disneyland, only with violent criminals who have nothing to lose.

I think I’m going to put Stolworthy in that “suck up to the boss” category, telling him what he wants to hear.

I recall shoveling at least three times on Super Bowl Sunday, fwiw.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:09 pm
The gov does not read so how would he know if there was a snow storm.

Comment by bird Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:11 pm
The next time a contract is set to be bargained, collectively bargain these issues! That’s how this works. Set forth your concerns and negotiate. Don’t cry to the governor when the terms agreed to don’t work in your favor.

Comment by Now What? Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:15 pm
I’m with Vman. Did Stolworthy make that comment or was it Kurt Erikson?

I’m sure Rauner and his “superstars” were barking orders at Springfield’s mission control that day.

Comment by Jocko Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Over half the prisons were unaffected. I’d love to see a comparison between the ones in storm areas and those not

Comment by southern man Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Sorry they have to do it, but the AFSCME response is great. Not hyperbolic and addresses point by point. By rights it should kill any news outlet from taking this bunk story further.

Comment by haverford Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:20 pm
Those darn work rules can make bossin so much more difficult.

Comment by Downtstate Dem Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:20 pm
If Rauner is Darth Vader, who is Stolworthy? I’m going with Jabba the Hutt.

Comment by Jorge Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Overtime is an expensive but unavoidable part of corrections staffing….you can’t leave cell blocks unattended. And if you do by having one officer guard two posts, be ready for the US Dept of Justice to step in with a civil rights lawsuit when inmate-on-inmate violence spikes in understaffed wings. The Rauner folks haven’t learned this yet.

But we could save the state some serious cash if officer overtime pay did not count as pensionable income. An officer near retirement is eligible for lots of OT because of seniority, which enables them to spike their pensions by double-shifting frequently during their final years on the job. Instead of their pensions being calculated on a final salary of say $75,000, OT payments can push the final pensionable number well into six digits. That costs the state a heck of a lot more than Super Bowl/snow storm absenteeism.

Comment by PTR Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:27 pm
“To ensure that factors such as favoritism are not improperly wielded by management…”

Or, you know, performance.

This is the real problem with the current AFSCME contract. Employees are not widely over paid. Time off and benefits are reasonable, in my opinion.

But the rules preventing management from managing are a major problem.

Comment by Political Animal Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:35 pm
An example of advanced analytic thinking from BJR’s management team. Atta boy! I’m already feeling the Illinois Turnaround in the air.

Comment by AJ_yooper Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:36 pm
Blatantly obvious how this administration is trying to make public servants get paid too much with too much benefits…and they out right lie to the public.

Good job on reporting this!

Comment by Shanks Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:41 pm
Oh, great. A Raunerbot at IDOC. Just what is needed to improve our overcrowded, understaffed facilities.

Comment by D.P.Gumby Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:46 pm
Mr/MS AJ
It is BVR as in “lil Vinny”
So first the bills are all drafted
then everyone calls in for Superbowl
Wow they are 0 for 2 and it is still Monday

Comment by Anonin' Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Roll Call is mandatory in state prisons, if an officer misses ROLLCALL, they are written up and given a counseling session. Management requires all officers to attend ROLLCALL!

Comment by FORMER IDOC OFFICER Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:53 pm
= which enables them to spike their pensions by double-shifting frequently during their final years on the job.=

They are not “spiking their pensions”, they are working more hours thus being paid more. And it all counts.

Dope

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:53 pm
@PTR:

If we weren’t incarcerating people for minor drug offenses, there would be no opportunity for senior staff to earn overtime.

This is the consequence of having the seventh-largest state prison populations in the country.

Don’t blame union work rules for a problem created by our insane criminal sentencing practices.

Comment by Juvenal Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:56 pm
==By rights it should kill any news outlet from taking this bunk story further.==

Watch for the Tribbies and INN.

Comment by sal-says Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 1:57 pm
Not sure the snowstorm should be a huge factor. It’s not like someone else then doesn’t have to make the drive in.

Yeah, it was bad out there, but all the plow drivers have to make it in to work as do the EMS crews, etc. Some jobs just have to keep going.

Comment by Shemp Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:06 pm
== JS Mill ==

Maybe they’re not spiking their pensions in the classic sense, but getting pension credit for overtime? Probably a luxury we can no longer afford. Just doubled checked with my dad, a retired cop who worked his fair share of O.T. He didn’t get pension credit. I think IDOC is a bit of an outlier in granting this benefit.

Comment by Rob Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:06 pm
So how far in advance of the Super Bowl did these folks call in? Days before the blizzard was evident?
How many called in late and said that the blizzard made their travel to work impossible? What was the call in rate the year before, when there was no blizzard? Anybody in my company who called in absent just to watch a football game would not last long. But these are questions which must be answered before posters fly off the handle, as many here have done on both sides!

Comment by Formerpol Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:08 pm
==The Rauner folks haven’t learned this yet.==

Nor is it likely they WANT to learn it; doesn’t fit with the Bad Unions storyline.

Comment by sal-says Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:13 pm
Donald Stolworthy is in office a month and he goes narc on his employees? Does he have no interest in developing confidence between management and the rank and file? Or does he just want to be Bruce Rauner’s anti-union mole on the inside of corrections? Maybe all state agencies are like this and I just never noticed.

Comment by Cheswick Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:20 pm
Bottom line is that the agency is correct. Union demanded work rules exist to benefit the state employees, not necessarily the state taxpayers, public safety, or other legitimate concerns.

Having said that, yes, they need more employees in that agency desperately.

Comment by Downstate Illinois Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:23 pm
The vast majority of DOC facilities are far south of northern Illinois where the snow fell. The weather wasn’t bad in Springfield that day. In Southern Illinois (where most facilities are), it was even warmer.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:23 pm
===The vast majority of DOC facilities are far south of northern Illinois where the snow fell.===

There are plenty up north, which would account for many of the absentees.

https://www.illinois.gov/idoc/facilities/Pages/default.aspx

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:27 pm
It’s the snow stupid.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/smackblog/chi-super-bowl-49-chicago-viewers-bears-colts-20150202-story.html

Comment by Omay Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:42 pm
This memo continues the anti-union message of the Rauner Administration. They are very consistent in their messaging that the union is the reason for a significant amount of the state’s problems. You have to give them credit for focusing like a laser on their messaging, so much so that it comes through in memos from agency directors. Clearly they have chosen “like minds” for the head honchos.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:44 pm
@ Rob- Work is work. Is the work while on overtime different or easier? Nope, same work. Is it paid better because of overtime rules? Yes. I just do not see the line of delineation as you do.

I do not get paid overtime. Maybe I should be upset about that and oppose the pay for others. I choose not to be that person that hates everyone that gets something that I do not get. To me that is what is actually happening.

The governors own protectors are police (state police) and their overtime counts toward their pensionable income.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:48 pm
Political Animal ummmmm no.
Please refer to the current contract, Article II, Section 1 Rights Residing in Management.

Okay, now tell me about the “rules preventing management from managing” that “are a major problem”. As the esteemed OW says. Dope

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:52 pm
==Okay, now tell me about the “rules preventing management from managing”==

I’m by no means anti-union, but having dealt with the union contract I can tell you that there are several ways management is prevented from managing. But, in fairness to the union, it’s the state’s fault for negotiating away their management rights.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 2:57 pm
==They are not “spiking their pensions”, they are working more hours thus being paid more. And it all counts.==

It looks like HB0253 is attempting to rectify this:

“Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that, for service on or after July 1, 2015, “compensation” does not include any overtime pay payable to an employee for personal services performed in excess of the full normal working period for his or her position. Effective immediately.”

I’m in agreement with Rob that pensions should be calculated on base pay alone. Work all the OT you want, but taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for that OT in perpetuity.

Comment by nixit71 Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:00 pm
If an employee chooses to waste one of his/her sick days watching football or gardening or sleeping all day or due to a legitimate illness, what’s it matter to the employer? The current contract allows for a certain number of days earned per year……..the only way to prevent this is to decrease the number of sick days given to employees or require a doctor’s note for every sick day used.

Maybe that’s what he’s going to propose…….cut sick days in half or maybe eliminate personal days.

Comment by Get a Job! Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:03 pm
===”So how far in advance of the Super Bowl did these folks call in? Days before the blizzard was evident? How many called in late and said that the blizzard made their travel to work impossible? What was the call in rate the year before, when there was no blizzard? Anybody in my company who called in absent just to watch a football game would not last long. But these are questions which must be answered before posters fly off the handle, as many here have done on both sides!”===

It looks like the drama queens are ignoring your questions there @formerpol. And they are pretty darn good questions.

1. Asking for time off for personal reasons, or for any reason, how much lead time is required of the employee for making this request? Days? 24 hours? Fewer than 12? Any paperwork involved? From both the employee and employer?

2. Is “roll call” mandatory or not? Is roll call part of the working shift or does it take place outside of the shift? There seem to be two stories here.

3. Yes it snowed heavily on that date. How many took off the day in anticipation of the SuperBowl and when did they make their requests?

Once we get the answers to these type of questions and more, then we will be in a better position to render judgment or shriek like a bunch of high school drama queens!

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:15 pm
Just a little math on this. $325,000 of extra pay for a shift on Feb. 1 for 1000 workers. That’s $325 per worker, or $40.62 per hour in overtime (if its an 8 hour shift). So their base pay is $80 an hour (on average) or $160,000 a year. No way.

Maybe the $325,000 is the total pay (including regular pay and overtime premium). If so, the cost is misstated by a factor of 3. The overtime premium would be $108,000.

Maybe I am missing something….

Comment by archimedes Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:20 pm
===If so, the cost is misstated by a factor of 3===

3 shifts in a work day.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:22 pm
“rules preventing management from managing” are really on the same page as “rules preventing purchasers from purchasing.” The rules are there because someone did something legal (at the time), but undesirable. Like giving OT to your friend. Or taking OT away from the guy you don’t like. Or buying stuff from your buddy. Can’t have that, so you make a rule. And you know what? More rules, more red tape, less flexibility. The only way to have it both ways is for everyone to do what’s right without having to be told to. Which is why there are rules.

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:22 pm
@Archimedes

Not sure about the specifics of the union, and the pay scale, but they may be entitled for additional overtime on Sunday. (Double Time)

Also, because they do so much mandatory overtime, being called in may invoke a ’shift premium’ for forcing employees to come in when they are already off the schedule.

There are many factors that could inflate the overtime cost. It’s not always just 1.5 times wage.

Comment by How Ironic Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:23 pm
I wonder if time and a half costs less than pension/health care benefits for hiring an extra employee. Might be close?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:24 pm
== JS Mill ==

I’m filled with love, not hate. As mentioned, state law enforcement workers (corrections, troopers, etc.) get pension credit for overtime — they are outliers. Cook County correctional officers, Chicago police officers, and most other public safety workers do not. That’s the delineation I’m making. I wish everyone else could get pension credit (especially my dad!) and I think you make a legit argument in favor of giving everyone pension credit for OT, I just don’t think we can afford it anymore.

Comment by Rob Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:27 pm
===If so, the cost is misstated by a factor of 3===

3 shifts in a work day.

It doesn’t matter if there’s ten shifts, it states 1000 employees. Your logic only makes sense if it was 1000 per shift. Or I’m missing something from the article.

Comment by mcb Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:28 pm
$325K for 1000 workers is roughly $40/hr per worker. I’m assuming that OT on Sunday is double time, which means that the worker’s normal average wage is about $40/hr. That sounds about right to me.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:35 pm
While I generally agree with the unions, the upfront 15 min time and a half is dumb. Those are the kinds of optics that work against the union. Just be normal like everyone else and show up on time.
When they start giving the armed forces time and a half to show up in formation 15 min early, then maybe I’d support it for the union.

Comment by Il duce Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:40 pm
Gotcha. I can see how Sunday would be double time. Makes sense, then.

Comment by archimedes Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:41 pm
@Rob- Thanks, I appreciate your perspective and was not trying to imply that YOU are a hater. If it came off that way, my apologies. They are out there though.

If we wanted to, we could afford it in Illinois. We have the capacity.

I think the majority would be ok with that IF the ILGA could then exhibit self control and refrain from wasting the revenue once attained.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:43 pm
There are costs other than salary, these include FICA, state retirement contribution, etc. no extra pay for a Sunday unless you work 6 out of a rolling 7 days or it is a holiday.

Regardless of storm or super bowl, if any employee took time that was not contractually their’s to take simply write them up. If they didnt write them up then it obviously the employees did nothing wrong.

Comment by Union Dues Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:04 pm
==- Louis G Atsaves - Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 3:15 pm:==

Maybe your friends in the administration should provide us the information Louis. Better yet, why not release the memo to the public in the interests of transparency?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:07 pm
Overtime on Sunday is not Double Time.

Comment by ti Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:19 pm
On another note, my understanding is another reason for the roll call is to make sure there is a good staff ratio. If some people dont show up to roll call then some folks from the previous shift may not get to go home. Roll call is done outside the shift and is paid. It has to be before the next shift starts. It is a benefit to the state so they can be sure their staffing is adequate.

Comment by Union Dues Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:20 pm
Louis, you’re killing me.

Dude, sit this one out.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:34 pm
Oswego: The point is that we don’t know if it was the snowstorm or the Super Bowl until my questions are answered.

Comment by Formerpol Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 4:43 pm
Overtime does not effect service credit, but can effect final average comp which may increase the pension. Pension contributions are also deducted from overtime. The brightest thing that Rauner can do is cut down on overtime, thus pulling down final average, thus pulling pension costs down while having those overtime contributions help toward paying off the unfunded liability. Since new hires will come in under tier two, the pension liability for them will be lower.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 5:42 pm
Louis, don’t bring up the drama queen stuff when you produce drama queen B.S.

Comment by Jorge Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 6:16 pm
Word, spare the drama. I’m just looking for a few facts here.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 6:19 pm
===Oswego: The point is that we don’t know if it was the snowstorm or the Super Bowl until my questions are answered.===

1) Good luck with that from this Administration. We’re still waiting on Bills…

2) “The point is that we don’t know if it was the snowstorm or the Super Bowl until my questions are answered.”

You don’t know if it was either too, so…yeah… Let’s just say they all, collectively, took the Super Bowl off(?).

Rauner gets the benefits of doubts?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 6:25 pm
===I’m just looking for a few facts here.===

If that’s honestly true, no need for the “Drama Queens”

You’re a victim of your own snarky discription.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 6:28 pm
Well, if willingness to churn this crap out is what his committee was searching for, no wonder it took Rauner so darn long to find some chump to head IDOC.

Comment by crazybleedingheart Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 6:57 pm
1) normally I like Erickson’s articles but he fell short on this one. By failing to mention the snowstorm that completely changed the tone of the article and was a huge miss.
2) I agree that there are a lot of unanswered questions about the storm. However the blame rests 100% on Stolworthy and the IDOC administration, they should have fully investigated it before issuing the memo. Not doing that is entirely on them and they and solely them should take criticism for that.

Comment by MyTwoCents Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 7:39 pm
I’ve been a state employee for 26 years and have worked alot of overtime in that period. Some voluntary and some mandated. The state has always on their own accord took deductions out of my pay for the overtime pay I earned. No way now that I’m at retirement can they decide my final compensation without figuring my overtime pay in. They took it without any choice of mine for retirement…..so pay me…..anything else is just another diminishment. If the state does not want overtime calculated in final compensation, quit taking a retirement deduction in overtime pay. Can’t have it both ways!

Comment by Bushwacker Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:29 pm
Those that want to not count earned overtime money in a pension calculation should know that overtime money earned has retirement money deducted from it. If you don’t want to pay it later, don’t collect from it today.

Comment by W.S. Wolcott Monday, Apr 20, 15 @ 9:47 pm
Another politically motivated article, that is pasted full of lies. Mud slinging 101. I wonder if anyone told Stolworthy that bargaining is supposed to take place at the table. Not in the media.

Comment by DWilly Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 6:03 am
I used a vacation day! That is allowed Mr. Director

Comment by Mitch59 Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 7:14 am
I thought the police and firefighters were exempt from the governor’s vitriol. I guess not.

Comment by CharlieKratos Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 8:05 am
If you call in on super bowl or shotgun seasons in doc, you must bring proof of medical or at any time a road report from a county sheriff or.road commisioner. We must attend roll call. We cant leave to eat and dont get paid. And overtime is usually offered to volunteers then to less senior staff to higher.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 10:47 am
Il duce @3:40

==When they start giving the armed forces time and a half to show up in formation 15 min early, then maybe I’d support it for the union.==

Your way off target. No one in the military gets paid overtime for any work. I would routinely work 16 hour days in the Navy, sometimes longer. All I ever got was for it was my base pay. It is not a valid comparison.

While we’re at it let’s just apply the military way to all jobs. No overtime pay to anyone for any reason. /snark

Comment by Kurt in Springfield Tuesday, Apr 21, 15 @ 1:00 pm
i beg to differ……..state police/troopers have the best pensions, they get credited for overtime. Although their rate of pay is so stinking high, it is usually higher than the overtime e earnings. Retire at age 50 with a 7500-10,000 monthly pension. Those poor troopers. They make the public think everyone’s else’s pension is so high, when in fact the average monthly pension is around 2000.00

Comment by Keepingitreal Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 6:41 am
I forgot to mention…..cook county police are under a different retirement system. We are talking about State Employees, not county, or municipal employees

Comment by Keepingitreal Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 6:44 am
Whether ot is worked or not, 8.5% of what we make goes to the pension. Our pension as other stare workers does cover teachers and others who do noy contribute very much. If it goes to being based of base salary alone then they should not be able to take 8.5% of the overtime money for the pension

Comment by hahaitsme13 Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 7:20 am
To clarify to everyone we do noy make double time on sundays.

Comment by hahaitsme13 Wednesday, Apr 22, 15 @ 7:44 am
Here is a FOIA for that memo. 55% of the workers who took off on Super Bowl Sunday cited the weather.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/w1k1puinjjoeef5/Stolworthy%20FOIA.pdf?dl=0

Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Apr 29, 15 @ 9:05 pm