Gold Star Union?
This might not end well:
- Off topic but apparently the exempts, Commanders and Deputy Chiefs, are attempting to unionize.
One of the main points of even having the Exempt rank is to have expendable people who are beholden to their political masters.
If they're allowed to unionize, the political side of the equation loses their hold over them.
Not that we're in the habit of giving Conehead advice, but if you want to stop this in its tracks, propose getting rid of the Gold Brain pensions provisions and revert to the top tier to the last testable rank (lieutenant). Not only would it kill this effort, it'd be a small step to extending the life of the pensions.
Labels: from the comments, rumors
posted by SCC at 12:05 AM
80 Comments:
Yep. And they will get it. In 2022 the Illinois constitution was amended that all Illinois workers, no matter class or designation have the constitutional right to unionize. It’s the workers rights act passed in 2022. CPS got it for their managers last year, exempts will get it also. There is nothing that can be done once that amendment was passed into law. Even if conehead tries to stop it, he won’t be able to once it hits the courts.
Good. Stick it to this city. Everyone should be in a union so this city can’t screw with them, especially with this mayor.
Might be possible.
If there are 3 things you CAN do then you can not unionize:
The power to HIRE, the power to FIRE and the ability to hand out DISCIPLINE.
A Deputy Chief is the last person to sign off on a SPAR so I am not sure if they could unionize. Perhaps a Commander.
The way to get rid of Gold Star pensions NOW without passing any pension laws is simple. Pay exempts only their base lieutenant or captains pay. On one day a month pay them a "special" check for being whatever their exempt rank would be. This amount would not be pensionable. End the bullshit NOW.
I see this as a good thing. Do we continuously want the dumbest pnly taking these promotions with the exception of a handful of good ones? The reasons none of the captains won’t take commander is because they are not covered by a union. They won’t do it because of a loss of sole benefits and OT. I would love for some of our Lts and Captains to finally be interested in even taking it. I know several great captains that have turned down commander.. these people would have been great for us to be in charge. Now, if they do get covered by a union more of those guys may want to actually take the job. It’s a win for them and in my mind it’s a win for us.. we may see more competent people actually want to take the job.
Good for them. In my opinion, it would stop the supe and others from holding crap over their head.. that would put less pressure on them to pressure us on the watches and make decisions that may for once be in the best interest of the officers. When you don’t have that constant pressure from above, it won’t roll downhill.
Agree with you SCC. Promotion to gold star has been a way to reward loyalty to the crown with a higher pension after 4 years at the gold rank. Given, not earned, for fealty and not for being qualified or competent.
Cue a J-Cat full blown life changing meltdown in 3..2..1…. He and his cronies get so triggered at any supervisors getting anything.. this is going to be epic. Just for the theater from that idiot I hope they get fully covered!!! Don’t worry, his thumb sucking clown Mick will be patting his bottom trying to calm his daddy down!! Go Union! Anyone pro Union should be happy about this, less people the city can screw with.
Not happening, not even rumors of it. If people took 2 seconds to actually think about stuff they would know there’s no way to do this.
so then what's the incentive to do anything past lieutenant
The Gold Stars are a joke! They want it all. There isn’t one I respect. They all have been over promoted and have not one original idea.
It’s sad to watch the exempts destroying the Chicago Police Department. But they usually owe their spots thanks to a Democrat Politician.
The whole system in Chicago sucks!
But don’t we want them to NOT be beholden to the politicos??? So why would everyone not want this? Not be under the thumb of aldermen and outside influences? I’m all for it then.
It is a union town. How about letting another union come in to represent the Rank and File. The FOP needs new leadership.
The do nothing no nothing Gold Stars should have never gotten ridiculous over payed pensions. End the Gold Braid Pensions. No pension higher than Lt.
I never seen a bunch of entitled people! This is the leadership of the Chicago Police Department. They use words like “Calling” to recruits. They have No strategy or over plan to stop crime. They are all lucky to rise to the upper Command! In the private sector they would be likely to be hired for an entry level job. The whole thing is a scam. I don’t even take their endeavor seriously. Morale is disgraceful, no one wants the job and they think they deserve more! LOL, now that is funny!
Just answer your calls and turn on and off your body worn camera. Don’t forget sanctity of human life, de-escalation, providing medical attention to somebody you just shot and tried to kill. What does something like that do for your mental health. Now go out and risk your life for these bosses!
The political side loses its influence on them you say? Ok, then sign them up. Less political
Influence on this job is EXACTLY what we need.
Will never happen.
They run the place what God‘s name that I need a union for!
Never in the history of CPD have we had so many Exempts with a history of merit promotions in charge of this department. Their low IQ gives them an inferiority complex.
Well if the political side looses control that would be a Good Thing!!!
If someone could tell me a feel good story about a union member who was actually helped by their union in recent history 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Just like the fire department, their highest Pension rank is Lieutenant, all of this clown show of the gold stars. All they’re doing is ripping off the Pension. They get in there for a little while and then they get that huge incredible undeserved Pension boost all for kissing somebody’s ass. They definitely are not qualifying. Just look at them many of them look like slobs and are absolutely clueless and into what to do. Your appearance commands respect no your appearance commands laughter.
and what would they want in their union contract? a take home car, got that,, for the guys, a little female cutie with 2 years on the job as an "assistant", got that, an office with no phone, got that,
Even the pension isn’t a big deal anymore. Captains now make just as much as a Commander. Pensions are almost equal.
It will never come to fruition, Move on!
What do Gold Stars need a Union for?? They do nothing to begin with...Im sure they are all trying to protect their spots.
SCC, the Gold Stars are definitely trying to form a union. Why you may ask???? Captains make more than Commanders in salary. I'm not joking you can look that up. Commanders haven't had a raise in 10 year. That does't include Captains get OT. Second, Command staff does't get .75 a day like all the other White Shirts. Third, Command staff doesn't get 365 worth of medical time. A current member of the Command Staff is very ill. He is in the hospital and may never leave. He hasn't been on the medical for even close to a year. The city told him he needs to come back to work. He doesn't get the same medical benefits as a PO. Fourth, supposedly the new/latest class of Lieutenants are a new tier 2. They can't get a pension higher than Lt. That means when Lts are making 300k or more with OT and the Commander is making just over 200k an no OT they get the same pension going forward. Why would anyone take a spot higher than Captain if your pension is the same as a LT???? I hear time and time again the people getting Command Staff positions are the 6th or 7th choice. Everyone else turns it down. I don't want a department where all the bosses are just egomaniacs!!! There would be no other reason to take the spot. Supposedly all the Command Staff wants is a raise above Captains pay and the 365 medical. We all get that's how the slippery slope starts but something has to give.
Good God. They've all gone nutz.
Yes it would only slow the corruption machine, In the mean time envelopes will continue to be kicked up.
Can someone explain how you can make commander but never even passed one promotion exam? My commander in 002 was merit Sgt and Lt, he walks around like he’s the smartest guy in the world. I couldn’t believe when I looked him up and he’s all merit. He’s like bozo the clown leading the circus
Wont happen. Appointed management positions cannot unionize.
A union? What will all these political hack, no nothing, do nothing, so called "bosses" do? Go on strike? Most picket lines are out on the streets and we all know 90% of our "bosses" are deathly afraid of the "street". Remember, way back when the baseball players were going on strke? They were going to hire guys to picket for them as they were all too important sports celebraties to spend their time on a picket line, Who wil the "bosses" hire to picket forr them ? Maybe the Pacific Garden Mssion can scrape up a few "qualified souls for the job.
Dump FOP is and always has been useless, just a fraternal org not a real union
Did you know that CFD has no merit process? Why have our unions allowed this to continue?
100 percent agree.
Highest pension is Captain at CFD
If you don’t like your gold
Star salary,
Transfer to another department.Believe me Chicago will survive without you and your inflated ego.
First of all, Lts aren’t making anywhere close to 300k, even with ot. The ones that are doing a lot of ot might be close to 200k, but nowhere near 300.
Second, you’re right about the medical. They should get the same medical benefits.
Third, you’re also right about most Lts not wanting to go any higher. There’s really no incentive. Lts can bid to watches, furlos, and can still feel like you’re able to make a difference leading a watch. Captains hours are 5-1, they’re pretty removed from everything and get stuck having to be acting commanders and deal with all that political bs. Some may disagree, but I still believe Lt is the best spot on the dept. Most Lts want nothing to do with being commanders. So many great Lts out there that would make great commanders that don’t even put in for it. Too much bs that goes along with that job these days.
CFD officers are part of Local 2 IAFF up to the rank of Battalion Chief. Exempts (Dep District Chiefs and up) are not covered by a contract.
Years ago I met one of the contenders for the CFD Commissioner's position. He was a Deputy Chief on the DCFD. He told me that he was in the DCFD's officers union as well as other DC's. The commissioner & his deputy were the only "exempts".
BTW - DC Devine was the unanimous selection but couldn''t get his family to relocate (wife & 2 teenagers). That's how we got that clown from California
The highest pensionable rank for CFD is battalion chief. Any appointed rank above that reverts back to career service upon retirement.
Captain Robert C didnt need a union. He kissed ass all the way thru his bullshit career. How much money did he cost the city/tax payer??
I checked with " Rumor Central" and word is the union ( FOP) is gonna unionize...
I like it.
Will there be a president and vice president who get commander pay to do union work? Seems like we’ll need 2 more commanders now.
Be careful what you ask for> If you get rid of the Gold Star pension provision you are not only going to diminish the gold stars personnel, but you also diminish the pensions for detectives, youth officers, crime lab personnel, or any other officer who is in a higher pay grade positions. People forget how the gold stars got this pension provision enacted. The exempt members failed on several occasions to have this provision passed into law. They succeeded when they included detectives, youth officers, gang crimes specialists etc. If the exempts go back to their base pay status so do Detectives, youth officers, and such. The law specifical includes these positions.
If it's unfair to be an exempt, don't apply and check your ego at the door.
And the rest of us can pay higher taxes. Stealing as an exempt isn't enough?
Agree 100 percent.
Fuckin Patrolmen are making more than Deputy Chiefs!
Hour for hour, when OT is factored in, there’s A LOT of people making more than Gold Stars.
Fair? I don’t know. Maybe if 90% of the Gold Stars were competent and actually “earned” a promotion… I might be less inclined to say “fuck them”.
Eliminate the captain rank...useless job.
Hey SCC, you need to check this out. The Teacher's Union and Stacey Gates needs to go!!! Their contract supersedes State Law??? Allowing male teachers who identify as women into girls bathrooms and locker rooms? They gotta be fucking kidding.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicago-teachers-union-overrides-state-law-on-locker-rooms-gender-identity/
CPD is ran by a bunch of dysfunctional bosses who made this place a mess.
As a Lt-rank order all the way- there is a strong disincentive to become a commander. You make less money and work more hours because you’re on call 24/7. Working a modest amount of OT allows you to max out deferred comp and that more than makes up for the pension difference over time.
The only way to incentivize smart, good bosses to take an exempt rank is to pay them more. That means a higher pension too.
The only way to afford to do so is to cut exempt ranks by 1/3.
Simple fix but I don’t think the city sees it that way.
Gold star pension isn't a thing for tier 2 pension guys hired after 2011. I believe the cap is now around 144k. This means the lieutenant's rank isn't fully pensionable.
The same staff that violate the FOP contract and dont give a F, what to have a union?
Wrong. They absolutely have it. It’s just not called Merit.
Everyone on here complaining about gold braid pensions and claim they are destroying the pension system are morons. You’re no better than the Democratic leadership of the city. Gold braid pensions are doing absolutely nothing to our pension system. What’s murdering our pension system is every mayor since Daley who have whored out our pension system and lost 80% of our money through bad deals and investments. Lending money to connect firms and businesses that went under and we took a full loss of all the money. How quickly even our own forget. Let’s call this what it is… people don’t get the pension of a commander so they get pissed off and attack them instead of looking at the real problem. Stop hating the player, hate the game. Our city and city government has destroyed our pension system. Let’s not forget, an exempt member that retired with a full pension in 2012 gets a pension that is equal to a salary of a patrolman with five years on in today’s date. The gold braid pensions are not the problem, stop being fooled by the bitter people out there wanting you to not look at the real problem and want to bash exempts just because they never made it out of a beat car or are miserable sitting in call back. The real problem are the politicians who have raped and pillaged YOUR money and you sit there and take it and come up with other excuses. Some of us on this job are so pathetic with the excuses and the BS. Open your eyes to the real problems… BILLIONS of dollars stolen by connected people… CPD members silent about that..
Gold star pension isn't a thing for tier 2 pension guys hired after 2011. I believe the cap is now around 144k. This means the lieutenant's rank isn't fully pensionable.
You’re right! Little incentive for Tier 2 to promote past Sgt beyond the salary increase.
The unions don’t do shit. How long do we wait for contracts and the city does what they want. 12 hour days
Lt’s are not making 300k. But retired caps sgt in 004 made over 400k. He must have worked every day 20 hours!
A union doesn’t mean anything for the police. We can’t strike so the city never takes us serious. Sgts have not had a contract in 3 years and ain’t even close. What happened to our vri decision. The city blew it off. So with no bargaining power with these useless unions let them pay dues for no backing
Big picture kid....................pension!!
You can make as much as you want. Make more than a Deputy Chief. Work your balls off. At the end of the day....the pension is forever.
But then....if you are making more than a D/C....you are never at home, working all the time and will never quit. You are a copper who will die and never collect 1 pension check.
Like the Captains? Moron
Detectives would be fine.
They are not “exempt”.
You must not understand the EGO of half of them.
Majority would likely take a pay cut to become exempt, and some do. Just so they can flex being a “boss”.
You lost all credibility when you said Lt’s aren’t making 300k.
Many Lts take a pay cut to move up.
Hate to break it to you, however that is very common and as always very disheartening for working police officers. Some of the dumbest human beings I’ve ever met wore a gold star in the Chicago police department.
Ask the tact LT in 9, he is 3rd in the CITY for overtime so far this year. 100 grand. He’s doing something right (or something wrong) but nobody will question it…or will they. Must be nice to only show up to work when “overtime” kicks in. He has a lot of people fooled thinking he is a “worker” especially the dummy commander in 9. Wake up people.
Weird. Snelling signed off on it and told them to do it.
~~~ Signed, A Gold Star Pensioner
Agree!
Agree with both posters.
Spot on.
They take it for the power. Thats what it all about that’s why the stay on so long. Some with the pension and deferred can’t retire with ease but don’t. Married with exempt partners or Lt or Captain as a spouse can retire but stay for the power
Trust your car to the man with the gold star...
Couldn’t agree more. CPD is ran by a bunch of losers. All they know is cancel every holiday and regular day off means nothing anymore.
You do understand that they pay into the pension at the higher rate also, right?
100% correct. They are fraternal organizations or glorified bargaining units. If you don’t have the threat of a strike behind you like the rest of the city agencies, teachers, nurses etc. you literally have nothing. They violate the contract constantly and nothing ever happens about it and nobody is held accountable.
Was previously a tested civil service rank. Thats when they unionized.
Yeah, because our unions are so effective. They sell the members out and toss crumbs back. Morons think they got something. Theyve sat idle while the city ignores a court order to make pension payments. Why not file a suit to force liquidation of assets to meet is court ordered contribution?
Retired old time detective Stayed on a long time retired at 63. Took advantage of deferred and other investments. Didnt listen to the old times saying the city is going to steal your deferred You can do it without rank. My income last year was $400,000. Plan ahead
Post a Comment
<< Home