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Jan. 20, 2011 After several grievances regarding the use of makeshift "daisy chains" by Cook County Court Service Deputies led to threats, violation of Weingarten Rights and unjust discipline, Teamsters Local 700 filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Illinois Labor Relations Board in late December. "When you threaten a member of Local 700, you threaten the whole local union," said John T. Coli, Local 700 Trustee. "We will not just sit back and watch the Sheriff's department intimidate our members." Several months ago, Cook County Sheriff's Department officials ordered the creation of the daisy chains by welding five pairs of handcuffs to a length of chain to allow 10 prisoners to be restrained at one time. In December, the use of the chains became mandated for Court Service Deputies at the Criminal Courts Building. "You have to consider how these contraptions were constructed. Who put them together? What makes this person qualified to do such work? Who is responsible if they fall apart? In welding the handcuffs and chains, was the strength of the metal depleted?" said William P. Logan, Local 700 Assistant Trustee. "When you consider all of these factors, how could anyone possibly find the use of these daisy chains acceptable, let alone required?" "We're looking forward not only to halting the use of these dangerous materials, but to putting an end to the retaliatory behavior of the Sheriff's department," said Becky Strzechowski, Local 700 Assistant Trustee. |
William P. Logan, President 1300 W. Higgins Rd. Suite 301 CONTACT YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR: UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, May 28 Wednesday, July 4 Saturday, August 4 |
