Dorothy Brown's Bad Math: Cost-Cutting = Raises for Cronies

New Demands Actually Included Raises for Favorite Management Employees

CHICAGO, Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County Dorothy Brown's new cost-cutting plan will gut front-line workers and slash services, while simultaneously keeping all of Brown's handpicked managers employed and give them raises.  Additionally, the proposal will end up costing the county millions in arbitrations and lawsuits because it blatantly violates legal-binding contractual provisions agreed to by the Clerk.

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At a February 17 bargaining session, Brown proposed slashing 170 front-line administrative jobs, while not cutting one management position.  Along with the layoffs, remaining employees would see their wages slashed.  Additionally, Brown indicated her management staff will receive wage increases to offset the effects of proposed furlough days.

"Instead of strategically confronting the fiscal challenges the Clerk's Office faces, Dorothy Brown has again produced a plan that ignores real solutions and rewards her friends," said William P. Logan, Assistant Trustee of Teamsters Local 700.  "When you propose cutting 10 percent of the people actually doing the work why do you need 100 percent of the supervisors?  If managers receive raises then the furlough days become paid vacation.  Brown's proposals are cynical and cost the County money."

The Teamsters represent approximately 1,600 clerks and court clerks who work in the Clerk of the Circuit Court offices throughout Cook County.  As the keepers of the county's court records the clerks handle and process all courtroom documents and keep the county's legal system functioning. The clerks voted down another Brown proposal in early February.

Brown's actions pose a stark contrast to the collaboration that Local 700 has experienced with new Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.  Since the election last November, the Teamsters have worked together with Cook County to find cost-savings that improve efficiency and cut costs.

Unfortunately, Brown has taken the same old tack that has led to problems, instead of working with the employees to find solutions. Brown's proposal, if implemented, will cost the county millions of additional dollars in court and arbitration costs due to its blatant violation of the legally binding contract.

"This is not about saving the county money or improving services," Logan said.  "This is about a short sighted and malicious attempt to settle scores for not supporting her in previous elections."

SOURCE Teamsters Local 700