Story posted Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Parks, Employee Union Reach Deal
By DWIGHT ESAU Journal Reporter
The Park Ridge Park District has tentatively agreed to a contract with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) covering more than 30 employees.
It is the first collective bargaining agreement with a labor union in the district's history. It is also probably the first such agreement by any Journal-area park district.
The matter is still preliminary and tentative, however. A park district spokesperson said this week that the union has approved it, but the board of park commissioners delayed approval at its June 18 meeting, saying more time was needed to study the lengthy document.
"The board will discuss the contract and possibly approve it at its next regular meeting on July 16," said Kathie Hahn, director of public relations.
The contract describes compensation and working conditions for about 30 custodial and clerical employees, who make up a little more than half of the district's full-time employees. District officials declined this week to reveal details of the contract's provisions, because the board has not yet approved it.
The district's negotiating team during the talks included Chris Johlie, a labor attorney hired to handle the contract discussions; Lori-Lovell-Knouse, superintendent of recreation; Christine Berman, director of finance; Tom Hoffman, the district's regular attorney; and William Newman, director of development and maintenance.
This project was initiated in 2006, when the union approached some district employees about forming a group and joining the union's Local 73, according to one source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The union's activities became an issue in the April, 2009 board election campaign. A total of 10 candidates initially filed nominating petitions to get their names on the park board ballot, and the union supported four of them. State election officials rejected three of the SEIU-supported candidate petitions for paperwork irregularities. One of the union-supported candidates - Richard Brandt, a retired Park Ridge real estate broker - was elected to the board.
During the campaign, the union criticized the board for some of its governance policies and procedures, and lack of accountability on finance matters. Four other candidates, who were not union supported, informally agreed to work together to oppose the union effort. The four said they were focused on park development and recreational issues, and the union's interest was narrowly focused on its contract, and was supported by outsiders.
Some park officials have said Park Ridge is one of several suburban park districts the union has targeted for contract negotiations in recent years. Park Ridge apparently is one of the first to be contacted. Spokespersons for the Niles, Arlington Hts., and Mt. Prospect park districts said this week they do not have contracts with the union, and have not had any contact with the labor group.
John Hecker, executive director of the Des Plaines Park District, said, "I believe we had some contact from this union 3-4 years ago, but a contract was not pursued."
A spokesperson for the Rosemont Park District was not available for comment at press time for this report this week.
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