NCJ Number
47610
Date Published
1978
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE IMPACT OF A 10-DAY STRIKE BY 1 SERGEANT AND 58 OF 92 PATROLMEN ON THE POLICE FORCE AND COMMUNITY OF SKOKIE, ILL., IN 1975 IS DESCRIBED. OUTCOMES OF THE INCIDENT ARE ALSO PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE INCIDENT BEGAN WITH THE REJECTION OF A 5-PERCENT WAGE INCREASE PACKAGE OFFERED BY THE VILLAGE. DURING THE WORK STOPPAGE, NONPARTICIPATING OFFICERS AND PATROLMEN WHO WORKED 12-HOUR DAYS AND TOOK NO DAYS OFF, PROVIDED ADEQUATE POLICE PROTECTION. ALTHOUGH NUMEROUS OFFERS OF AID WERE RECEIVED FROM NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES IT WAS UNNECESSARY TO UTILIZE THEM. BECAUSE OF A 4-DAY SIT-IN AT THE VILLAGE HALL, EMERGENCY OFFICE LOCATIONS WERE ESTABLISHED TO HANDLE VILLAGE BUSINESS. TEN DAYS AFTER THE STRIKE BEGAN, THE UNION ENDED THEIR OCCUPATION OF THE HALL AND ANNOUNCED THE RETURN TO WORK OF THE STRIKING PATROLMEN. DURING THE STRIKE THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE, FALSE FIRE AND POLICE ALARMS, AND BOMB THREATS. IN THE HEARING FOLLOWING THE STRIKE CONCERNING CHARGES FILED AGAINST THE PATROLMEN, 34 OF THE STRIKERS WERE DISCHARGED, 20 WERE SUSPENDED, 4 RESIGNED, AND 1 WAS ACQUITTED. OF THE DISCHARGED MEN, 27 FILED SUITS AGAINST THE VILLAGE ALLEGING A VIOLATION OF THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS AND DEMANDED REINSTATEMENT AND DAMAGES. AN ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN AN INJUNCTION TO PREVENT HIRING OF NEW OFFICERS BEFORE THE SUIT WAS SETTLED FAILED, AND THE VILLAGE BEGAN PROCESSING APPLICATIONS. THE LAWSUIT WAS STILL PENDING AT TIME OF WRITING. THE WORK STOPPAGE RESULTED IN OVERTIME SALARY COSTS AND LITIGATION COSTS TO THE VILLAGE; HOWEVER, THE MODIFICATION OF WORK SCHEDULES AND ASSIGNMENTS MINIMIZED OVERTIME COSTS WHILE PROVIDING ADEQUATE POLICE SERVICES. THE INCIDENT DEMONSTRATED THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE CONTINGENCY PLANNING, DECENTRALIZED OPERATIONS, AND POLICE-COMMUNITY COOPERATION. (JAP)