Elk Grove police union files complaint against mayor, village

The Elk Grove Village police union has filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the Illinois Labor Relations Board against Mayor Craig Johnson and the village.

The Metropolitan Alliance of Police Chapter No. 141 claims Johnson used strong-arm tactics to coerce its membership into agreeing to no pay increases this year and threatening layoffs of up to 10 police officers if they didn't comply, according to the complaint.

In early April, Johnson lauded the village's public works, police and fire union employees for voluntarily agreeing to forgo 3.25 percent pay raises that would have gone into effect May 1, saving the village $850,000.

At issue is a "mandatory" March 30 meeting Johnson held with all on-duty second- and third-shift police officers, which the chief of police and two deputy chiefs attended. Neither police union representatives nor the union's attorney were notified of the meeting or were present, union attorney Joseph Mazzone said.

"They basically used that time to berate and threaten these officers with certain retribution, if they didn't approve a pending agreement," Mazzone said. "And that retribution included laying off a significant number of police officers."

At the time, the village and police union were negotiating to extend a contract expiring April 30.

Mazzone said he learned of the meeting the day before - March 29 - from police shift sergeants and later spoke with a deputy chief who confirmed it was mandatory and anyone not attending would be disciplined.

Mazzone said he contacted the village and asked its attorney to cancel the meeting, but the request was ignored.

According to the union's account of what occurred at the meeting, Johnson voiced "displeasure" over the union not responding to the village's original contract proposal made to the union board earlier in the year.

The village's offer was zero percent pay raises in exchange for a year's reprieve from layoffs until April 30, 2011.

Mazzone said Johnson went on to say the public is angry with government employees and that "you guys have the power to decide whether reduction is through layoffs or attrition." According to the complaint, Johnson used an expletive during the course of the meeting and his mood and tone of voice were "obviously angry and condescending."

Johnson told officers he was proud of the fire and public works unions who already had agreed to forego wage increases, per the complaint.

Johnson was on vacation and could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Other village officials also did not return phone calls Wednesday.

The village filed a response to the claim with the Labor Relations Board June 17.

Elk Grove Village Human Resources Director Mike Krcik, who is responsible for labor disputes, said it is village policy not to comment on pending litigation. But he read the following statement on behalf of the village, summarizing what happened before the meeting with Johnson:

"The union did not vote to accept or reject the village's offer. Instead the union voted on a different proposal and presented that different proposal to the village. Since a vote was taken on a proposal not acceptable to the village, police officers were confused as to why the village did not accept the offer."

Krcik said individual police officers questioned the mayor, police administration and other village officials about the contract, which prompted Johnson to call the meeting with the police union to clear up any confusion.

"During the meeting, the mayor explained the village's offer to everyone in attendance," Krcik said. "And he urged the police officers to vote on the proposal."

The Elk Grove police union eventually voted to accept the village's offer. Shortly afterward, Mazzone filed the unfair labor practice claim with the labor board May 10.

Mazzone said Johnson overstepped his authority.

"The mayor does not call for a vote for our union on matters pending in collective bargaining," Mazzone said. "He can do what he wants with his board. He stepped over the line when he started complaining about union procedures. That is not his position. He was using his office to order all of these officers in. I think the whole thing was inappropriate."

Krcik said the village was well within its rights to conduct the meeting to clarify its proposal.

"The meeting in question followed the letter and spirit of the Illinois Labor Relations Act and the village looks forward to favorable findings on this matter," he said.

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<h1>More Coverage</h1>

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<h2>Related documents</h2>

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<li><a href="/pdf/egvcomplaint.pdf">Police union complaint against Elg Grove Village and Mayor Craig Johnson </a></li>

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