Committee on Workforce Development meeting, December 7, 2023
- When: Thu, Dec 7, 2023, 12:00 PM (Chicago time)
- Where: City Council Chamber, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Workforce Development
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928568/video/892317880
- Transcript: full text (23,910 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Workforce Development heard ten public commenters, most of whom addressed a proposed arbitration option in police disciplinary cases, and approved its October 30 Rule 45 report. The committee recommended passage of a substitute ordinance amending the paid leave and paid sick and safe time ordinance, including delayed effective dates and a cure period for employers, with Alderpersons Sposato and Beale recorded as no votes. It recommended passage of the mediated changes to the collective bargaining agreement between the city and the Fraternal Order of Police, with Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. recorded as a no. On the separate ordinance adopting the arbitrator's award allowing arbitration in certain police disciplinary cases, the city's bargaining team recommended rejection; after extended debate, a motion to table failed 5 to 10 and the committee voted 10 to 5 to issue a do-not-pass recommendation.
Topics: Paid leave ordinance amendment, FOP collective bargaining agreement, Police discipline arbitration, Police Board, Police accountability, Public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 1:10:47 Rule 45 report from October 30, 2023: passed
- 1:11:15 Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 6-130 regarding paid leave and paid sick and safe time enforcement (substitute): passed
- 1:33:20 Ordinance adopting agreed-upon changes to the collective bargaining agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police and the City of Chicago: passed
- 1:48:36 Ordinance adopting an arbitration option in certain police disciplinary cases: failed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Michael D. Rodriguez (chair): Explained that proposals ranged from 7 to 30 days for the employer cure period and the substitute settled on 16 days, with a study written into the ordinance. (1:31:38); Said he limited the panel to city representatives to be consistent with how previous union contracts were heard, with the FOP speaking during public comment. (1:50:06)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Presented the paid leave amendment, describing a delayed private right of action, a 16-day cure period, a sunset and study provision, and a July 1, 2024 implementation date. (1:12:22); Said sponsors consulted the Small Business Advisory Council, the Illinois Restaurant Association and others, and that the substitute was a compromise. (1:17:16); Said the Office of Labor Standards can provide an avenue for workers to report violations without having to go to court. (1:21:36)
- Anthony Beale (alderperson): Asked whether the business community agreed to the changes and called the substitute coming within 30 days of passage a rush job, asking to be recorded as a no. (1:16:57); Said the hearing was one-sided without the FOP, objected to separating part of an arbitrated contract for rejection, and said the council's job is to ratify the contract. (2:19:20); Asked whether anyone had asked members to vote the arbitration award down. (3:08:58)
- Samantha Nugent (alderperson): Thanked the sponsors and asked whether the paid leave amendment requires notice to employers so they can cure payroll errors. (1:19:07)
- Nicholas Sposato (alderperson): Asked specifically whether sponsors had spoken with the retail merchants association, the chamber and the restaurant association, and said he could no longer support the paid leave amendment. (1:24:13); Said the council should accept the arbitrator's ruling, questioned the transparency of Police Board proceedings, and noted officers would still have a choice of forums. (2:37:30)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Raised a point of order objecting that the FOP was not represented on the panel and asked that both sides be able to answer questions. (1:49:15); Asked how the city's dissent reconciles with the arbitrator's reliance on state law and prior municipal decisions, while agreeing with the city's transparency concerns. (2:05:47); Asked whether the city worked with the FOP to make arbitration proceedings open to the public. (2:09:02)
- Desmon C. Yancy (alderperson): Asked the city to clarify how transparency differs between Police Board hearings and arbitration, then moved a do-not-pass recommendation. (2:01:49)
- Peter Chico (alderperson): Asked whether police can strike and, describing his experience as a police officer, said he supports the arbitration option. (2:02:59)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Said the council is not informed of goals before contract negotiations and that elected officials must represent constituents' concerns about the arbitration provision. (2:24:36); Said police differ from other unions because they can use deadly force and detain people, so transparency in discipline decisions is important. (2:26:30); Cited an officer case where information learned in arbitration could not be used, and asked how many officers come before the Police Board each year. (2:30:19)
- Derrick G. Curtis (alderperson): Asked the city to share the suggestions the FOP made during negotiations on arbitration that were not adopted. (2:34:13)
- Carlos Ramírez-Rosa (alderperson): Cited past police misconduct cases and over $710 million in settlements since 2011, and urged colleagues to reject the arbitration award in favor of civilian oversight. (2:43:17); Said letters from community groups, 41 police district councilors and others in the committee packet urge rejection of the award. (3:09:56)
- Anthony V. Napolitano (alderperson): Said the council should focus on victims of shootings in the city, and as a former officer objected to what he described as demonization of police. (2:47:20); Asked whether rejecting the award would likely cost the city money and whether the FOP could also go to court. (2:49:45)
- Silvana Tabares (alderperson): Objected to the FOP not being on the panel and said state labor law requires arbitration for police, calling the current Police Board process a violation of state law. (2:56:56)
- Nicole T. Lee (alderperson): As a non-member, asked what efforts have been made to return to the table with the FOP on the arbitration issue. (3:03:04); Asked how pending cases heard under the current rules would be affected if the arbitration award takes effect retroactively. (3:05:47); Said she supports transparency and recognizes the union's right to arbitration, and remained undecided. (3:07:28)
Exchanges between members
- 1:19:07 Alderperson Samantha Nugent thanked the chair for working on the paid leave amendment.
- 1:19:07 Alderperson Samantha Nugent thanked Alderperson Jason C. Ervin for working on the paid leave amendment.
- 1:24:26 Alderperson Nicholas Sposato followed up on Alderperson Anthony Beale question about which business groups were consulted.
- 1:49:15 Alderperson Chris Taliaferro told the chair he disagreed with having only the city represented on the panel.
- 2:19:27 Alderperson Anthony Beale agreed with Alderperson Chris Taliaferro that both sides should be questioned.
- 2:24:40 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. agreed with Alderperson Anthony Beale point that the council is not part of contract negotiations.
- 2:26:30 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. acknowledged Alderperson Peter Chico point that police cannot strike.
- 2:39:44 Alderperson Nicholas Sposato said Alderperson Anthony Beale had raised good points.
- 2:47:20 Alderperson Anthony V. Napolitano addressed Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. as a colleague before offering a counterpoint.
- 3:08:58 Alderperson Anthony Beale asked, referring to Alderperson Nicole T. Lee remark, who had asked members to vote the award down.
- 3:09:56 Alderperson Carlos Ramírez-Rosa answered Alderperson Anthony Beale question by citing letters urging rejection.
- 3:10:55 Alderperson Nicole T. Lee responded to Alderperson Anthony Beale that she had heard public calls for rejection.