UNIT II EMPLOYEES
VOTE TO RATIFY CONTRACT
Civilian public-safety employees in the city of Chicago have ratified the city's last and best contract offer.
914 Unit II employees voted to accept the contract. 407 voted to reject it.
Four spoiled ballots were reported by SEIU Local 73 election judges.
The vote follows weeks of intense negotiations between the city and Local 73, with the threat of layoffs looming for about 300 civilian public-safety employees if a compromise could not be worked out.
The agreement covers Animal Control Officers / Inspectors, Aviation Officers, Aviation Officers—Hourly, Crossing Guards, Detention Aides, Parking Enforcement Aides / Supervisors, Traffic Control Aides / Supervisors and Traffic Control Aides—Hourly.
Among the highlights of the contract:
● 6.25 percent pay increase effective August 1, 2009
● 3.00 percent pay increase effective Jan. 1, 2010
● Re-grade of crossing guards on July 1, 2010
● Re-grade of aviation officers on July 1, 2010
● Arbitration of discharges and major suspensions
● No suspensions the day before or after a holiday
● Conduct of disciplinary investigation includes an Inspector General
The threatened layoffs would have impacted 186 Crossing Guards, 67 Detention Aides and 40 Traffic Control Aides and their families.