Time for a Change?

This always seems to happen when those in office get too comfortable spending members' dues money in the service of themselves more so than in the service of members. It happens in government as well as labor organizations:

• I am reaching out this time to bring attention to a serious and egregious situation unfolding within our union. The disparity between the compensation of our union’s field representatives and the treatment of the members they are meant to serve has reached an unacceptable level.

  Field representatives are currently compensated at the salary level of a Police Captain—upwards of $170,016 annually—while the average union member earns a Police Officer's salary, ranging from $94,680 to $141,318, depending on years of service. This vast salary gap exists despite the fact that these field reps—who claim to be "on call" 24/7to assist members, including providing representation during internal affairs statements—are offloading more of their core responsibilities onto unpaid, volunteer unit reps.

  These unit reps, who act merely as liaisons between the union board and their fellow officers, are now being required to step in for the highly paid field reps during critical investigative statements. Most concerning is that the latest offloading of responsibilities includes requiring unit reps to serve as union representation during statements given for CR # investigations. This practice is unconscionable. Field reps continue to draw lavish salaries, paid for with member's dues, while refusing to fulfill the essential duty of legal representation—the primary reason our members pay union dues.

  Moreover, the situation is exacerbated by the fact that field reps' lavish compensation packages are fully funded by members' dues. In addition to receiving a Captain's salary, members—not the field reps themselves—are footing the bill for:

  •100% of field reps' health insurance

  •9% pension contributions

  •Vehicle maintenance, insurance, and gas

  •Meal stipends and travel expenses

• It is particularly disheartening and offensive that, despite these generous perks, members are now being informed that legal representation will only be provided for their first Internal Affairs statement—a direct contradiction to the primary purpose of union dues, which is to ensure robust legal defense. While members risk their lives every day in the line of duty, union leadership seems more concerned with sustaining lavish lifestyles funded by those very dues. Reports of extravagant spending on steak dinners, luxurious vacations, and other high-end lifestyle events further highlight this troubling disparity.

  Such expenditures starkly contrast with the sacrifices made by those they represent. It is outrageous that union dues are being used to sustain these indulgences while field reps continue to shirk their essential responsibilities. Members deserve transparency, accountability, and, most importantly, the representation they are paying for.

  Given these troubling disparities, I respectfully request your platform shed light on this situation. Our members, who demonstrate courage and dedication daily, deserve leadership that truly prioritizes their well-being, rather than indulging in extravagance at their expense.

When a group gets too comfortable, refusing to answer basic questions of accountability, changing rules regarding oversight, treating the members' money as their own personal piggy bank, and concentrating more on keeping their jobs instead of doing their jobs, there needs to be change. 

Kind of like what's happening in DC right now.