Probation officers and youth counselors who are members of Elgin-based Teamsters Local 330 went on strike April 30 as part of an unfair labor practice. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com
AURORA — Even walking the strike line, Kane County probation officers are showing concern for the clients they were scheduled to meet with the week of May 1.
“I had a youth going to placement today and I have a feeling it’s not going to happen,” said Sara Fair, a Kane County 16th Judicial Circuit probation officer who was walking the strike line with her fellow union members May 1 at Aurora’s Probation Office on Highland Avenue.
Kane County’s 118 probation officers and youth counselors went on strike April 30 after rejecting the county’s final contract offer late last week. It was rejected by a vote of 66 against and 10 in favor.
Strike signs line Highland Avenue in Aurora outside Kane County Probation Office. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
Employees are represented by the Elgin-based Teamsters Local 330. Their contract expired Dec. 1, 2017. April 13, the union issued a five-day notice of a possible strike.
The 16th Judicial Circuit Court probation officers and youth counselors monitor adult and juvenile criminal offenders.
Kane County Board Member Monica Silva, 7th District, visits striking Kane County probation officers May 1 at the Aurora probation office. Members of the Elgin-based Teamsters Local 330, which represent probation officers and youth counselors, have been on strike since April 30. Along with the Aurora location, members are also striking at the Kane County Judicial Center and at probation offices in Elgin. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
The union and its members wants the county to honor a 15-stage step increase schedule from its last contract, but officials say the county can’t afford annual 3.7 percent raises over 15 years.
According to the union, the county’s offer would have eliminate the existing wage structure — which already required the officers and counselors to work 15 years before reaching top salary, and freeze these workers at their current salary steps with smaller annual percentage increases over three years.
Kane County Board Member Monica Silva, 7th District, and former Kane County Board Member Brian Dahl, 8th District, talk with union members striking outside the Aurora Probation Office. Jennifer Rice/staff photographer
The step system is confusing at best. The system should be based on seniority, yet employees counter, saying it’s based on salary.
Two different probation officers, each with 12 years on the job, have been placed at different step levels — one at Step 2, the other at Step 4. A woman with 30 years on the job still hasn’t reached Step 15.
Teamsters Local 330 is requesting support from local union affiliates for a labor rally Monday, May 14.
“We are the hardest working department Kane County has,” said probation officer Mary Kosters. “We’re not out here for the money — that is the biggest misconception.”
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Kosters is the first to tell you she loves Aurora. She lives in the city and has a teenage son at West Aurora High School. Her job requires her to match offenders sentenced to court-ordered community service with local not-for-profit businesses.
“Many local schools volunteer their students at these non-profits. I have to balance my job responsibility with the safety of the general public. To do that, I have to have a trusting relationship with non-profits,” Kosters explained.
In a press release, Teamsters Local 330 President Dominic Romanazz said his union’s members are highly trained professionals and deserve fair pay for the indispensable type of work they do for the community.
Teamsters Local 330 shown on strike outside Kane County Juvenile Court Service.
He acknowledged some offenders are on probation for felonies including sex offenses and domestic violence. Click here to know how Colorado state domestic violence laws have changed lives. “The court’s offer does not acknowledge either the reasonableness of our members’ demands or the importance to the public of ensuring that these professionals are appropriately compensated for their critical work,” Romanazz said in a press release.
In order to avoid a possible strike, the union offered to submit the contract dispute to an arbitrator, but the court refused. The union has also alleged the court violated the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act by failing to maintain the existing wage progression after the current contract expired in 2017.
Delegates of the Fox Valley Building and Construction Trades Council showed support to some of the Kane County Probation Officers and Youth Counselors employed by the 16th Judicial Circuit Court who have been on strike and who are members of Teamsters Local 330. These fine men and women provide invaluable services to the residents of Kane County by way of monitoring and supervising criminal offenders of every classification. They deserve a fair and equitable contract! We stand with our brothers and sisters. Photo courtesy of Fox Valley Building & Construction Trades Council
Kane County Board Member Monica Silva, 7th District, came to show her support for the strikers and to talk with them.
Again and again, the probation officers asked Silva if the Kane County Board knew they were on strike.
Members of Teamsters Local 330 hold the strike line. Photo courtesy of Kane County Democrats
“No, I don’t think so. If any do, it’s not many,” Silva told them, adding that the strikers should come speak at a meeting.
Former Kane County Board Member Brian Dahl, 8th District, added that a mass email was sent to board members, alerting them to the striking union members.
Members of the Kane County Democrats showed their support for Probation Offices and Youth Counselors represented by Teamsters Local 330 on Strike at the Kane County Judicial Center for unfair labor practice and no contract. Democrats support the union members and their fight for a fair contact. Pictured are Teamsters Local 330 members and Kane County Board Candidate Jody Kanikula. Photo courtesy of Kane County Democrats
Probation officer Jeff Mazza has been on-the-job for 19 years and has “never seen anything like this. We really just want to get back to work,” he stressed.
As quickly as clients were showing up for their appointments at the probation office Tuesday morning, they were being sent home just as fast.
“We’re not really sure how things are being handled now,” explained Fair. “Every once a while, one of our defendants will come up to us and tell us they reschedule their appointment for another day.”
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