Firefighters Get Hammered
The city of Chicago is paying fire department employees more than $80 million a year for perks that boosted their salaries by an average of more than $15,000 apiece last year, a Chicago Sun-Times analysis finds.
The salary-boosting extras aren’t reflected in the online database of city workers’ pay that Mayor Rahm Emanuel created in what he described as an effort to provide greater transparency for taxpayers about how City Hall operates.
Transparency? You mean "data manipulation," right?
All of these things were duly negotiated by Rahm's predecessor's people. In most cases, these "perks" were given in lieu of pay raises so the City wasn't on the hook for the pension portion of the salary. It's a trick that allowed the city to pretend they were giving us (and the firefighters) a raise during the good years, but the large benefit went to the city because they didn't have to worry about the longer term money layout.
Labels: contract stuff
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
69 Comments:
$15K a year!
Can you hire retired cops to be your personal driver for $15K a year?
Because you know if you hire retired cops as perks for certain people even though the money comes out of the CPD budget I think it's okay.
Through the magic of smoke and mirrors no-one is suppose to see that as affecting the number of officers on the streets.
When you say $15K/year does that include the falsified mileage expense thingy that EVERYONE was doing or do we add that on as a yet another perk?
Why hasn't our union gotten any of these "perks" for us in previous contracts? Yeah, Nolan was great, Donahue was great, WTF. A bonus for being a certified scuba diver! Double time for holidays... Where is our me-too clause? Better yet, I want a me-too clause attached to what the aldermen get. Ever hear them cutting their pay/benefits?
They keep fuckin with us and things are gonna get pretty fuckin serious around here. Fuck these elitists! Rahm, Shortshanks, I am talkin about you.
They are playing chess and we are playing checkers.
Most of us don't even read history and our opponets write it.
We, easily distracted and divided, were defeated from the beginning.
Take our benefits and don't even think you politicians are going to keep your benefits and pensions. Things are going to get to the point where pissed off people are going to make the occupy groups look like child's play.
The Slum Times and Fibune need to just combine and rename themselves Pravda already. They are a government propaganda rag and nothing more.
Where were your balls and investigative skills during twenty years of Daley thievery? Yeah, I thought so, pussies.
Anonymous said...
Why hasn't our union gotten any of these "perks" for us in previous contracts? Yeah, Nolan was great, Donahue was great, WTF. A bonus for being a certified scuba diver! Double time for holidays... Where is our me-too clause? Better yet, I want a me-too clause attached to what the aldermen get. Ever hear them cutting their pay/benefits?
6/23/2012 12:43:00 AM
CPD Marine Unit Officers get a bonus for being a scuba diver, it is called D2 pay. Why would you want double time for holidays? We already get double time and a half.
We lost the Me Too clause a while ago. We get nothing aldermen get. They make the rules and thus they reward themselves.
Several aldermanic pay raises ago two aldermen voted against the current pay raise system for aldermen. Helen Schiller who said it was too much and Dorothy Tillman who said it was not enough.
Want to be an alderman? Run for office. Good luck.
Anonymous said...
They are playing chess and we are playing checkers.
Most of us don't even read history and our opponets write it.
We, easily distracted and divided, were defeated from the beginning.
6/23/2012 02:32:00 AM
Coppers never stand together for anything except roll calls and funerals. Years ago an attempted boycott of CTA Special Employment was a dismal failure. It just made more days available for the greedy.
Anonymous said...
When you say $15K/year does that include the falsified mileage expense thingy that EVERYONE was doing or do we add that on as a yet another perk?
Hey, asshole! You have not idea what you are talking about - keep getting your information from the media and you will remain ignorant the rest of your life!
Rahm keeps threatening to screw our pension WE ALREADY PAID FOR. He's going to find himself answering calls with Al Wynsegr as back up, Al you can't make somebody do anything they don't want to do as your already finding out with your summer initiative "exactly how many people signed up after all the changes", LESS THAN 50 for over 200 weekend "OVERTIME" positions. Al your being made a scape goat for McNutty and you'll be "asked" to leave if it's a failure!
Right I gots my Take Home Car TOOO!
Fuk a U!! Clouted
You hurt us all
Please Cut My Aldercreature A Perk I Never Use!
Learn your contract, if you work 8 hours on Christmas day you get 16 hours pay. You also get duty availability pay, you have FTO pay and ET pay. Stop worrying about what the firemen get and worry about protecting what you have. Can't you see how this guy is turning your neighbors against you through the media. One more thing right or wrong those inspectors were told by there deputy commissioner you take the full mileage every month,some months you will travel more than the allowance it all evens out.
Wow Great Freakin perks. 24 hour ready pay to be available. Why not for a cop? We are the 1st out as they wait for clearence. Do you notice they justify this and not a word about a cop not getting it.
I think the era of unions is ending.
Whichever government employees are left once privatization takes over will have to think of themselves as independent contractors to survive.
Noice the Alderman that was a Fireman does not say a thing about cops ever? Cant wait to see what he says when its the cops turn.
How about the Aldermen that get extra compensation(s) "Perks" for every committee that they are on?
Rahmbo won't be happy with our brothers on the fire department getting 'hammered' moreover, he wants them to get 'axed.'
firefighters and police die sometimes for the citizens of this city,i being a tax paying citizen think you are all under paid! keep up the good work you do,lord know's the aldermen or mayor wouldnt last an hour doing your jobs!
I think +5% for a guy who jumps into 35 degree water, or is in a full hazmat suit exposed to dangerous chemicals is not a problem. The rest...who knows.
The me-too clause has become the fuck you clause.
how about the fifty alderman getting big money for a part time job--- plus all the hustle going on under the table....
Yea but at least we can work our off weekends at time and a half to make up the difference. I'll have plenty of time to see my wife and children when I retire at 70. Checkers anyone?
Where is the web site that informs the citizens what kind of pay and benefits the politicians get? I haven't seen that site yet. Let the citizens see who is really sucking the city dry. And while we are at it, lets include in that web site all the politicians family members and friends who are on the public dole and what their relationship to the politician is. After all, transparency is transparency.
Here is how the Boston mayor values the people who do the work
Mayor Thomas M. Menino is proposing to boost the annual cost-of-living adjustment for most pensioners from $360 to $390, a $30 increase. CityCouncil president Stephen J. Murphy is pushing for more, seeking a $90
increase over the current rate.
Boston Globe
the fop said that this is the first time the fire fighters are going to the table before us.....the fop is sick in tired of spending money on lawyers and then the fire man step up and get what we get anyway...so now lets see how well the firefighters do.....as far as uniform allowance goes...they get free uniforms i dont get it....police are the ones who have to buy all this freaking equipment and uniforms.....also they take a hazmat class and make like 6 grand a year for the rest of their careers???? makes no sense...why cant we take a verbal judo class and make 6 grand a year......we need to step up to the plate and fight for our rights....it doesnt matter if we get a 7 percent raise if they take away our duty availability and our uniform allowance...we come out losing....kill the residency as well ...its so unconstitutional
A SHAM! Double time on holiday... We work every 3rd day, if a holiday is not on a work day, we get half a days pay. If you work should you get time and a half? What's the point so we negotiated double time. Being a member of a haz mat team requires specialized training and more risk. Shouldn't team members make extra money. Take away the extra money and see how many team members there are. We, like the CPD put ourselves in danger and should be compensated for it. These compensations were negotiated but now tiny dancer 9.5 releases this crap to make us look bad. Keep it up, it takes the spotlight off Daley and the other politians. Turn the light on them and it's a cockroach race!
If they are so concerned about "perks" and what they cost the city, why do they allow the city to waste money and manpower by assigning officers to guard an ex-mayor and his family, our current mayor, and some of these alderthieves? Those people are all millionaires who can hire private security if they feel so insecure here. That's a complete waste of money right there. If they feel that scared for their safety they shouldn't work in a public office and do something far away from the limelight. The whole city administration is a joke. I've noticed that practically every other street is being dug up with some sign that says "building a new chicago" . rahm wants everyone to think he is putting all their tax dollars to good use, which is bs because the sewers needed to be replaced 30 years ago- can't drive anywhere in this town without smelling it. The previous thief of a mayor managed to sell all revenue generating entities the city owned and downsized everything else. When will they downsize the the city council? Aldermen are useless anyway- tried to contact one about getting our block permit parking and never got so much as a "fk you". They get 100k/yr + 75k stipend- anybody want to discuss that perk?????
Nice twist on the truth there, Rhammy.....
We DO NOT receive double time on holidays, just time and 1/2 just like every other city employee who works the holiday
As for the "bonus pay".....most other careers reward those who obtain certifications beyond their initial training....you know, something tangible.....unlike our undefined "merit" system......
The citizens of this city are in better hands due to the Hazardous Material Technician training....
Take Away Duty Availibility ......don't bother calling my number when the city goes up on my off day......that emergency recall order no longer applies....
Everyone needs to start realizing one thing - we are going to get screwed over for at least one year of our "new" contract thanks to our dipshit union president.
Shields tried to sing and dance his way out of his mistake, not sending the 28.1 letter that every other union had sent, that our own union had never failed to send in the past. Except when shields took office and couldn't be bothered to read our own fucking contract.
The language could not be more clear.
And then shields really showed what an inexperienced buffoon he was when he sent his version of the 28.1 letter to fucking commander o'neill.
Hey, dumbass. You do know that we are employed by the CITY of CHICAGO right? And that the police department is not a party to our contract? No?
Your letter just proves what an inept "leader" you are.
Didn't The CFD endorse Rham for Mayor?
Some of their white shirts have blown any good will they otherwise might be entitled to. Welcome back to the masses CFD
How many firefighters are they short, if you have to pay people to work on their day off and man the vehicles and machines, that adds up. Were next.
The Unions better get busy and start speak up about all of this stuff the city is trying to spin against us......... or you'll lose them......and pension reform will be for real. Does Our Union have constitutional lawers hired and ready to argue these politions cant do this to out pensions with out opening the constitution once every 10 years and that was 2 years ago..............Because Madigan is not including the judges or the politions on the 3% freeze on our Cola Raises. so we better be ready for the fight of our lives .What say you Prez....
Sorry but i agree w rahm. These guys are overpaid . There are very few fires anymore. Its because of technology.
So when will the graft checks for the police end?
Shield's if you're reading this, your ass better be ready to battle. Too many coppers are not going to put up with you selling us out. I suggest you be ready or you will get a vote of no confidence.
FYI just to set the record straight because the MSM won't do it. If you saw it online it showed the top 100 just so that Rahman can include an elected union board member it's funny how his was the ONLY name mentioned. 21 of the names on the list of "exempt rank" who do not get the extra perks. So for them that is all O.T.
As far as the BC's extra money most of that is O.T. Ambon Commander which is a tested position on the FD is almost all O.T. As is the same for the Chief Pilot and the Fire Engineer who is also a pilot. For the guy at #2 on the list who made almost as much as the Fire Commissioner out of 71k, 60k is probably O.T.
Rahman is just trying to make us look bad. But don't worry because your time will be coming soon for him to try to smear what you make.
Why doesn't that azzhole Daley have to claim the bodyguard detail as taxable income? It's not like he is an elected official anymore and entitled to the service.
demonize the police,firemen and teachers..they cannot thank us and pay us what we deserve.so, they try to de-value our worth/importance in the public eye. it also distracts attention from their mismanaging of $.
"CPD Marine Unit Officers get a bonus for being a scuba diver, it is called D2 pay. Why would you want double time for holidays? We already get double time and a half
6/23/2012 05:58:00 AM
There are 38 Marine Unit divers at d-2 pay compared to 370 or so for the Firemen. Why?
I was trained as a hazmat officer and had a hazmat uniform I had to carry at all times when I was in SOS. Where is my extra pay?
I took the carbine course, where is my extra pay?
Swat guys are specially trained, where is their extra pay?
I'm not trying to get into an "us vs. them" thing, I just wanted to set the record straight.
Anonymous said...
"CPD Marine Unit Officers get a bonus for being a scuba diver, it is called D2 pay. Why would you want double time for holidays? We already get double time and a half
6/23/2012 05:58:00 AM
There are 38 Marine Unit divers at d-2 pay compared to 370 or so for the Firemen. Why?
-----
The fireman have a better union plus there are fewer fireman overall. It is easier to give 4,000 or 370 something than the 13,000 we used to have.
Anonymous said...
Everyone needs to start realizing one thing - we are going to get screwed over for at least one year of our "new" contract thanks to our dipshit union president.
Shields tried to sing and dance his way out of his mistake, not sending the 28.1 letter that every other union had sent, that our own union had never failed to send in the past. Except when shields took office and couldn't be bothered to read our own fucking contract.
The language could not be more clear.
And then shields really showed what an inexperienced buffoon he was when he sent his version of the 28.1 letter to fucking commander o'neill.
Hey, dumbass. You do know that we are employed by the CITY of CHICAGO right? And that the police department is not a party to our contract? No?
Your letter just proves what an inept "leader" you are.
6/23/2012 10:27:00 AM
Sir, you are wrong. The letter that has that March 1st deadline is only if the FOP wants the current contract terminated after expiration. Then we operate without a contract. We don't want that. Jesus H. Christ, this is like an Area 51 argument or "did we really land on the moon?"
Stop using PCP, it rots your brain.
CFD endorsed Gary Chico .
07:54 think your wrong if you work Christmas day, your regular day, you get 8 hours on the books and 4 hours pay. Thats 12 hrs or time and a half, not double time.
Easy on the SWAT guys being trained. Lets not open that can of worm. If only you knew the truth about what SWAT really does.
How can a "firefighter" that has never worked on a real fire company,but who's clout got him a job as a commander at 35th st make over 150,000 a year?
Hey anonymous 15:50... Let me set the record straight for you. Who cares what fire gets. Just worry about what he'll try and take from us when it's our turn. Don't be an asshole. Just do your job and don't worry about the other guy.
Anonymous said...
So when will the graft checks for the police end?
6/23/2012 01:27:00 PM
Oh please do tell.
Anonymous said...
"CPD Marine Unit Officers get a bonus for being a scuba diver, it is called D2 pay. Why would you want double time for holidays? We already get double time and a half
6/23/2012 05:58:00 AM
There are 38 Marine Unit divers at d-2 pay compared to 370 or so for the Firemen. Why?
I was trained as a hazmat officer and had a hazmat uniform I had to carry at all times when I was in SOS. Where is my extra pay?
I took the carbine course, where is my extra pay?
Swat guys are specially trained, where is their extra pay?
I'm not trying to get into an "us vs. them" thing, I just wanted to set the record straight.
6/23/2012 03:50:00 PM
Ask the guys who negotiated your past contracts
How about the "Quotas" you have to have just to get overtime?
I thought "Quotas" were outlawed?!
Newsmedia want to chime in on a possible lawsuit?!
Why would any of us coppers even give a shit what a fireman makes. I sure don't. More power to them. All of the things mentioned were negotiated during collective bargaining. The thing to be concerned about is that the city is trying to take those bargained for benefits away.
Remember: we are next.
Anonymous said...
Sorry but i agree w rahm. These guys are overpaid . There are very few fires anymore. Its because of technology.
6/23/2012 12:29:00 PM
Shut the fuck up, city hall asshole. Firemen earn their pay just like the police do in the same ghettoes and just like the teachers who have to teach those ghetto beasts who are the product of that environment.
Why don't you cut your political hack pay in half since you fuckers steal at every turn and can afford it? How about the thief daley with his millions charging the city over a million to have bodyguard drivers wipe his ass? We're coming for you fucks soon.
Here is the President of Local 2's response:
Letters to the Editor:
In response to the June 22nd Sun-times article written by Dan Mihalopoulos, I must say that his slant toward implied impropriety by Chicago Fire Department members borders on the absurd. Let’s see if I understand what he most certainly inferred. The fact that many CFD firefighters and paramedics elected to go back to school and receive extensive training to improve their skills and therefore make themselves more valuable employees is somehow a bad thing? Never mind that these so-called “perks” he spoke of were actually mutually negotiated benefits that have made the Chicago Fire Department arguably one the most highly trained and respected in the entire world.
The Chicago Fire Department has adapted into one that can respond and mitigate any emergency within minutes. With the training and education we have received in recent years our Department can quickly and efficiently respond to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and water rescues at any time, anywhere in the City. That’s right, we did all this simply to “pad” our paychecks.
Mr. Mihalopoulos’ article was sensationalist journalism at its absolute worst. As a reporter, does he have any idea what it is like to enter an inferno looking for survivors or work feverishly to try and save the life of a gunshot victim while bullets are still flying all around you? Has he ever experienced the heartache of losing a patient even though you’ve done everything humanly possible to save them or the heart-pounding fear of approaching an unknown, suspicious package? Has he ever searched for a victim submerged in pitch-black, freezing water or tried to keep his composure as someone handed him their lifeless child. I don’t think so. He could have written about how CFD personnel earn their money each day as they risk their lives to help others, but he chose instead to chastise our members for trying to better themselves and become more multi-functional first responders. I guess that we should no longer strive to enhance our skills and abilities. What a sad world we live in when those who would endeavor to succeed and do their jobs better are now cast as the cause of what ails Chicago.
Tom Ryan
President
Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2
Why hasn't the FOP gone on the offensive with information about the politicians and all their perks? The raises that they get to vote for themselves, pension deals that we would kill for and the slush funds that they are given which are used to lease Lexus's. Why haven't we heard shit from out unions? Has Shields been bought and paid for like all the other past presidents? One last thing to a past president, fuck you Nolan you back stabbing piece of garbage. I hope you are enjoying your spot you got for selling the blueshirts down the river.
Residency needs to be put on the table if pay cuts and pension reform are coming.after 7 yrs a cop or firefighter can pack up and go,just a thought.this will keep the tax base intact and home values also once the housing recovers?
they just can't wait to give 9.5 a lap dance and more
they will distort the truth to and embellish to make him look good
ever notice how they "downplay the crime?
they hate SCC&DSLC and redeye
"cause they don't "goosestep to 9'5's party line
they read this to get the facts:)
"john kass does"
Ok boys and girls enough of the "end the residency bullshit," are you that over educated or plain stupid to realize what this would entail and the fall out? Here you go boys and girls:
1) You t5hink anyone including those with "take home cars would be able to do that if you move?
a)My kid little Johnny is playing football today at XXXX school/park boss mind if i sneak over for awhile? Won't happen you think any boss with an once of brains would allow you to take the city car and do this in the burbs?
2) Think the state is pushing for the burbs to pay the pensions and benefits of their teachers that the city now pays how much more will property taxes there rise?
3) the burbs pay a hell of a lot more for water, and pay for garbage pickup, oh you want the "guys" to pick up shit from your remodeling project? Think again? Also garbage is picked up by how much you have the more you have the more you will PAY?
4) Oh you say your lawn is dying and you need to water it but your burb says no watering or washing cars, because we are conserving water,and when you do a $200.00 ticket!
5) Schools are so much better? Sorry my daughter teaches at a high school in Tinley park it is way over crowded, they have a druug problem that makes Chicago's look like a pre-school, sorry though all hush hush! Have you followed all the Naperville crime,and the kids in high school overdosing? Sorry boys and girls no panacea here either!
6) What about the commute back and forth,want to spend how more on fuel? Is your time worth anything?
7) Lets talk "section 8" gee where are they going? Look at the once mighty Schaumburg home of Woodfield mall,over run with section 8 and crime!
Now what can we do? We need to protect the neighborhoods we live in! Hold your alderman accountable! We have to stick together or do we let the savages/animals over run us and we turn tale like cowards and attempt to run? Just something to think about!
Rant/Off go ahead Flame on!
That's a huge raise that is due police and firefighters if he wants to try an negotiate taking away our salary, just because its called something else
I was trained as a hazmat officer and had a hazmat uniform I had to carry at all times when I was in SOS. Where is my extra pay?
I took the carbine course, where is my extra pay?
Swat guys are specially trained, where is their extra pay?
------
PLAIN and SIMPLE pal . .
DO NOT sign up for any extra training ....
DO NOT volunteer to work tac or any other glory-boy detail ....
Anonymous said...
Everyone needs to start realizing one thing - we are going to get screwed over for at least one year of our "new" contract thanks to our dipshit union president.
Shields tried to sing and dance his way out of his mistake, not sending the 28.1 letter that every other union had sent, that our own union had never failed to send in the past. Except when shields took office and couldn't be bothered to read our own fucking contract.
The language could not be more clear.
And then shields really showed what an inexperienced buffoon he was when he sent his version of the 28.1 letter to fucking commander o'neill.
Hey, dumbass. You do know that we are employed by the CITY of CHICAGO right? And that the police department is not a party to our contract? No?
Your letter just proves what an inept "leader" you are.
6/23/2012 10:27:00 AM
Sir, you are wrong. The letter that has that March 1st deadline is only if the FOP wants the current contract terminated after expiration. Then we operate without a contract. We don't want that. Jesus H. Christ, this is like an Area 51 argument or "did we really land on the moon?"
Stop using PCP, it rots your brain.
------------------------------------
Nice try, mike.
Read the contract, you fool. That's what section 28.2 is for.
Of course, we want the old contract to END on june 30, 2012 and a new one needs to be negotiated. The old contract remains in place until that happens. But since Mikey didn't send that letter, we just gave up all negotiating power for contract increases for the year 2012-2013.
Get a fucking clue and lay off the hair gel. That shit rots your brain worse than meth.
PLAIN and SIMPLE pal . .
DO NOT sign up for any extra training ....
DO NOT volunteer to work tac or any other glory-boy detail ....
6/23/2012 11:29:00 PM
Why is that PAL?
I understand a salty fuck like you can have issues with Tac boys and their backwards baseball caps, but what could you possibly have against training? Never mind, I dont give a fuck what you think.
Hey, I've got an idea. Take the so called 99%ers, give them a cause. Start petitions to limit terms of all politicians. Remove the pensions and perks. If they are "of the people" and "for the people".... Show me. Jesse, Bobby, Rahm all go away....
7:54 think your wrong if you work Christmas day, your regular day, you get 8 hours on the books and 4 hours pay. Thats 12 hrs or time and a half, not double time.
6/23/2012 05:31:00 PM
Plus eight hours pay in your regular check for having worked it. Total = 20 hours pay for working 8 hours.
Now what can we do? We need to protect the neighborhoods we live in! Hold your alderman accountable! We have to stick together or do we let the savages/animals over run us and we turn tale like cowards and attempt to run? Just something to think about!
Rant/Off go ahead Flame on!
6/23/2012 11:05:00 PM
You are an idiot. You probably have an angle to your idiotic argument like preserving the value of your house at the expense of every other member of this department. And then you'll probably leave the state when you retire.
The reality is that lifting residency has never done anything to any other city it was done in. You are not that important. The world will not collapse if you move out of city limits. You just want to hold on to the democratic machine's hold on its workers and be a slave to that alderman of yours.
Go stick your head up his ass and tell him how you tried to keep us all in line here, you fucking sellout.
08:02 thats still only time and a half
11:05 PM, I have to say, I agree with you. As much as I wish we could move away from this dump of a city, the crap that we are wanting to flee from is moving out to the suburbs, too. I used to hope for the residency rule to be lifted ... now I just hope we can retire in 10 years with any kind of pension and not take a total bath when we try to sell the house. The grass really isn't greener on the other side, folks.
Signed,
Born and raised in Naperville
CFD endorsed Emanuel for Mayor. Now CFD will have to take the options (or most of them) laid out by him and the Commissioner. It is not looking too good for the rank and file.
CFD DID NOT ENDORSE RAHM FOR MAYOR!!! Get your facts straight because you sound like a dumbass!!!!
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