Nearly 3,000 rank-and-file Chicago police officers continuously circled City Hall today, expressing outrage at city officials for abruptly snatching a pay raise off the table from union negotiations.
Nearly 3,000 rank-and-file Chicago police officers continuously circled City Hall today, expressing outrage at city officials for abruptly snatching a pay raise off the table from union negotiations. The Fraternal Order of Police members, some with children in tow, protested the “snub” by Mayor Richard M. Daley and Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis by shouting “No Contract, No Daley” and “No Justice with Weis” as they made their way around the building on Clark Street that houses the Mayor’s office, city council chambers and some Cook County government offices. As traffic rode by, many honked their horns in support of the officers. The officers have been without a contract for the last 21 months and had a proposed 16 percent pay increase over a five-year period on the table, but it was yanked without notice. At a recent news conference, the mayor said the city’s economic situation may not be able to support the increase and reminded the officers that, “this is the real world…they need to understand that.” The FOP said they want a contract now, as they held signs that read: “Pay the Real Police. Not Weis” and “My Olympic Dream is a contract by 2016.” The union’s president, Mark Donahue, said he was very satisfied with the turnout. “This should be just enough for the mayor to get the message,” Donahue said outside of City Hall.
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