Teamsters complain about Lake County court clerk

Lake County Circuit Court Clerk Sally Coffelt is accused of allowing employees to engage in anti-union activities during work hours, according to a complaint lodged by Teamsters Local 714.

Teamsters officials filed the complaint against Coffelt with the Illinois Labor Relations Board on Aug. 24. The union announced the action Thursday, a delay Teamsters spokesman Will Petty attributed to a desire to see how negotiations would progress.

Officials said more than 120 employees at the circuit court clerk's office have been seeking a union contract for about a year. The union contends Coffelt's discrimination against some workers has stalled bargaining for the last six months.

In the state filing, the Teamsters claim Coffelt permits some workers to be anti-union while on the taxpayers' dime. She also is accused of prohibiting employees from voicing union support at the office.

"She certainly has no problem discussing her anti-union mindset with everyone and anyone who will listen," Petty said.

When reached Thursday, Coffelt said: "I haven't got a comment."

It would be the first union contract for the circuit court clerk employees.