Breaking: Village of Robbins police and fire on strike
Breaking: Village of Robbins police and fire on strike (Robbins, IL) – Village of Robbins police officers and firemen today took a stand against what they’re calling unfair wage and labor practices. According to a post shared on Facebook, village police patrolmen make $11.50 per hour, sergeants make $13.15, and commanders make $15. Firemen make $11 per hour and their supervisors make between $12 and $13 per hour.
According to Indeed.com, Illinois’ the average rate of pay for police is $23.86. It should also be noted that in Cook County, the current minimum wage is $13.00, unless a municipality has taken action to pass their own ordinance to set a minimum wage that is at least at the state-mandated $11.00 per hour.
Also according to the post, the police in Robbins have requested new bulletproof vests due to ill-fitting and expired vests. Their police vehicles are also in need of maintenance.
This news comes after the village announced that they hired a community outreach employee at a rate of $16 per hour and that water department staff will be given a raise.
The post, in part, reads, “Their union reps have reached out numerous times to the village to renegotiate and be paid a living and suitable wage and have been ignored. The patrolmen come in on their off days and the investigation division works an average of 100 hrs a pay period at less than $13 for most of them. They are understaffed and underpaid. The village just gave the water department a raise and hired a community outreach employee for $16hr. How is this allowed when there is a hiring freeze in place for first responders? The Robbins fire department now mandates EMTs for 48hrs or more due to half the staff out on medical. This all needs to change. The first responders deserve a living wage and to be safe while doing their jobs. If it wasn’t for the love of their profession and the people of Robbins, there would be no safety due to less than livable pay. Stand with us!!”
The post also included screenshots of negotiation documents. They can be viewed by clicking here: Screenshots
This is a breaking news story. Updates will be published as they become available.
Breaking: Village of Robbins police and fire on strike
Responses