These are major questions to be addressed when police negotiations get going in June of 1995. Arbitration might become an outcry - but it is a fallacious one. Arbitration is just a political ploy to avoid a good old-fashioned labor fight at bargaining time. Arbitration is an easy way out that the politicians throughout the state eagerly support to resolve pay and fringe benefits disputes. Arbitration is a method for lackluster union leaders to cop a plea with a membership kept in the dark as to a viable alternative.
Arbitration simply put, is nothing but a loser for all police officers.
Yes - that's the word that has always been shied away from. But that is what will undoubtedly be necessary. Chicago cops have to flex their muscles or the Daley people at the Hall will walk all over them in contract talks. All that is needed is direction from their union leaders. Bill Nolan recently replaced John Dineen at the helm of the collective bargaining ship of state.