Members of the union representing Bartlett police officers have filed an unfair labor practices complaint against the village, charging that officials are holding the police contract “hostage” to an extension agreement.
Stanley Kravit, labor relations consultant for Local 1001 of the County, Municipal Employees, Supervisors and Foreman’s Union, said the village and the union had agreed informally on a settlement in late September. Union stewards had agreed to drop a labor complaint filed last year, and were reportedly told the contract would be voted on by trustees in late October.
Before the agreement was approved by the board, Kravit said, village officials asked the union to begin negotiating for a contract extension.
When union stewards and village officials couldn’t agree on an extension of the unapproved contract, Kravit said, the village rejected the initial contract Nov. 2.
The village’s 24 police officers below the rank of sergeant have been without a contract since their last contract expired Oct. 31, 1992. Under the old contract, the starting salary for police officers is $27,600, and the average for the highest-paid officers is $42,000.
Recent negotiations would have given the 10 highest-paid officers an additional $600 annually, while all other officers would have gained $1,000 annually, Kravit said.
Village President Catherine Melchert said it was”inappropriate” to comment on ongoing or future union negotiations.