23 Replies to “Chicago Clout "Violence in the Workplace" Video City of Chicago”

  1. When I used to work for the water dept, we were putting in a main in the Ford city shopping center, there was a sewer manhole right in the line of the trench and we had to go around it, as it turned out the outlet of the manhole to the main sewer was at the same elevation we were putting in the water main at, so it had to be a rolled offset and a short travel piece and then another rolled offset back into the trench, my foreman was a SUPER CAULKER just ask him he will tell you so, he was at another part of the job and I figured out the set and cut the 3 pieces that I would need and put the thing together and anothe length of pipe in also, so super foreman comes back expecting nothing to be done and he was shocked and had the balls to ask me who put it together. I used the square sidewalk shortcut to figure it out and he asked me how I did it so fast, I showed him my tape measure and said Paul Kirchoff taught me how to do that (WHO???????)
    I saw him show a calker one time how to use a 2×4 to do that, I also wonder if the water heater that Tommie Talley had me install at his moms house back in 1997 on city time is still working
    (Response) Save it for court, makes great headlines.

  2. May 6, 2009

    Convicted Daley aide Al Sanchez surfaces in Springfield
    Posted by Dan Mihalopoulos

    Free while awaiting sentencing for his March political corruption conviction, former Daley administration aide Al Sanchez has surfaced in Springfield.

    The ex-Streets and Sanitation boss was spotted Tuesday at the Cinco de Mayo party hosted by the Illinois General Assembly’s Latino caucus.

    As a leader of the Hispanic Democratic Organization, Sanchez helped the campaigns of many state lawmakers, including state Sen. Martin Sandoval and state Rep. Edward Acevedo.
    Sanchez is the only former member of Mayor Richard Daley’s cabinet convicted in a federal investigation into rigged city hiring practices. Prosecutors delved deeply into how city hiring was corrupted to maintain and enhance Mayor Richard Daley’s control over local politics, particularly in Chicago’s growing Latino communities.

    A couple weeks after his conviction, about 80 people gathered at a private fundraiser for Sanchez. Sanchez’s attorney said the event was to help Sanchez, not strictly to help pay for legal bills.

  3. April 22, 2009

    City truck driver took family leave after DUI arrest
    Posted by Todd Lighty

    A politically connected city truck driver on Wednesday took unpaid family medical leave in the wake of her arrest three weeks ago on a drunken driving charge, officials said.

    A trooper found Denise Alcantar slumped over the wheel of her sports utility vehicle shortly after 1 a.m. on April 2 along the Kennedy Expressway, a state police spokesman said.

    Alcantar had not reported to work for a week after her arrest, then used vacation time until going on leave, said Matt Smith, a spokesman for the Department of Streets and Sanitation.

    Alcantar was a key witness at the federal trial that resulted in the hiring fraud conviction of Mayor Richard Daley’s former Streets and Sanitation commissioner, Al Sanchez.

    She testified she got her job in 2002 despite no truck driving experience after filling out an application at a meeting of the pro-Daley Hispanic Democratic Organization.
    Alcantar has been at fault in four on-the-job accidents, including a 2003 crash in which her garbage truck pinned a co-worker against a telephone pole. The co-worker was seriously injured and died last year.

    Alcantar’s driving record and political ties were first detailed in a 2006 Tribune investigation. The article led federal investigators to subpoena Alcantar, who last year changed her name to Cortez.

  4. Mayor Daley says he can’t guarantee city won’t layoff some workers
    Comments

    May 7, 2009

    BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter/fspielman@suntimes.com
    Mayor Daley said today he cannot agree to a no-layoff guarantee — even if organized labor joins 3,600 non-union employees in taking two weeks off without pay by Dec. 31 and comp time instead of cash for overtime.

    Last month, Daley threatened to lay off 1,600 city employees — none sworn police officers and firefighters — unless organized labor agrees to another round of givebacks to erase a $300 million shortfall.

    So far, none of the unions have agreed to cuts. Some are concerned about how city givebacks would impact private sector negotiations. Others want a guarantee that, if concessions are granted, there won’t be layoffs for the next two years.

    Today, Daley said he is not in a position to make that promise — not when city revenues have already fallen $96 million short of the 2009 projections the mayor thought were conservative.

    “I don’t want to do it [layoffs]. But if next year, everything falls apart and the economy gets worse, what do we do? … That’s the problem,” Daley said.

    “I’m not trying to be a doomsday person. I’m just telling you the facts. … Someone said, ‘There’s a glimmer of hope’ [for the economy]. What is the glimmer of hope? Where is it? We don’t see it. … The recession could last for a few more years.”

    Chief Financial Officer Gene Saffold said there would be a “significant hole” even with union concessions.

    Pressed on whether layoffs are inevitable, Daley said, “We’re not gonna give you that headline.”

    The Chicago Sun-Times reported this week that Daley would order 3,600 non-union employees to take at least two weeks off without pay by Dec. 31, turning up the heat on union leaders to agree to similar concessions.

    Today, the mayor followed through. He ordered a $10 million cutback that amounts to a ten percent pay cut for city employees not covered by collective bargaining agreements.

    If the City Council approves, non-union employees — including the mayor and 50 aldermen — will be asked to: take seven unpaid furlough days in addition to the three government shutdown days; make seven remaining holidays unpaid and accept comp time instead of cash for overtime.

    “We wouldn’t ask the unions to do anything that management and other non-union employees wouldn’t be prepared to do or haven’t already done,” the mayor said.

    Daley also talked about lifting the cap on health care contributions, requiring non-union employees to contribute more for their health care. But, a mayoral spokesperson later said that possibility was considered, but rejected.

    Holding out hope for a prompt agreement with organized labor, the mayor said, “We’re working together. … This is not gonna be confrontational. This is not screaming, ‘You’re to blame. I’m to blame.’ This is a serious situation that effects all of ’em and their families.”

    Chicago Federation of Labor President Dennis Gannon could not be reached for comment. Last month, he called concessions a “difficult pill to swallow.” But, he also said, “It will be just as difficult to see the city workforce evaporate around us.”

    Anders Lindall, a spokesman for AFSCME Council 31, urged Daley to “reduce top-heavy management, cut wasteful contracts and tap cash reserves” generated by long-term leases for the Chicago Skyway and city parking meters.

    “Everyone recognizes the budget problem. … But, we do not agree that cutting services, taking money out of employees’ pockets or layoffs should be considered,” Lindall said, in an e-mail response to the Sun-Times.

    Referring to side-street snow removal cutbacks subsequently reversed by Daley, Lindall said, “He doesn’t want another fiasco like the snow plowing last winter or the parking meters now. But, with the threat of more cuts and layoffs, that exactly what’s at stake.”

    Pushback even came from Ald. Isaac Carothers (29th), one of Daley’s staunchest City Council allies

    “It’s an awful lot to ask people to take off. One has to wonder, are we managing properly if we put ourselves in this situation? … It’s certainly not the workers’ fault. … They had nothing to do with management of the money,” Carothers said.

    Asked about the impact on city services, Carothers said, “It’s gonna be dramatic. We’re already down here today because of all the potholes and slow service. If people have to take 14, 15 days off, it’s gonna be that much worse — potholes, trees trimmed, sanitation service. Everything will be affected.”

  5. chicagotribune.com
    Chicago budget: City Hall to cut more costs
    Mayor Richard Daley says he doesn’t see ‘glimmer of hope’ like President Barack Obama does
    By Dan Mihalopoulos

    Tribune reporter

    May 8, 2009

    Mayor Richard Daley announced new cost-cutting measures Thursday in the face of major budget problems, saying he does not see the “glimmer of hope” for economic recovery that President Barack Obama recently described.

    “When you talk about a glimmer of hope, I don’t know what that meant,” Daley said. “I don’t know where you see it. Maybe you see it in Washington, D.C., but I don’t think you’re seeing it across the country.”

    In talking up the prospects of an economic recovery, Obama recently suggested there have been “glimmers of hope.” But the mayor predicted that true recovery may not come until 2012.

    The remarks came as the Daley administration announced as many as 14 more unpaid days off for non-union city workers. With the City Council’s approval, the mayor’s plan would mean seven furlough days and no pay on as many as seven holidays this year, Daley said.

    Daley said City Hall also intends to shut down the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as it did last year for the first time.

    The moves would save about $10 million, but the city could face a deficit of as much as $300 million by year’s end.

    The mayor called on labor unions representing most city workers to accept similar concessions.

    Chicago Federation of Labor leader Dennis Gannon said union leaders have not agreed to any concessions and are unlikely to respond until officials from 40 labor groups meet again.

    “The city is in dire straits,” Gannon said. “It’s a very difficult decision for a union leader: Make concessions or see your members laid off?”

  6. Pat,

    Your videos here are great!!
    (Response) Thank you very much. You forgot to post your name.

  7. STAND UP TO DALEY.UNIONS NEED TO GET BACK TO THE WAY THEY WERE. WE KEEP GIVING AND GIVING UNTIL WE HAVE NOTHING. LETS CUT THE FAT AT THE TOP. GET RID OF ALL THE DEAD WEIGHT FROM ALL THE DEPARTMENTS. WHY DOSE EACH DEPARTMENT HAVE 5 OR MORE DIPUTYS,I KNOW I SPELLED IT WRONG BUT THEY ARE DIPS.

  8. Daley, Organized Labor at Odds Over Budget Cuts
    Produced by Ammad Omar on Friday, May 08, 2009

    Mayor Richard Daley is looking for ways to trim Chicago’s budget. He’s ordering non-union workers to take seven unpaid furlough days. The next step could include a deal with organized labor.

    The Chicago Federation of Labor represents, among others, 40 different unions that do work with the city. The unions have been asked by Daley’s budget team to help bridge a deficit that could reach $300 million.

    CFL President Dennis Gannon says his members have been asked to chose between cost-cutting measures like furlough days or the elimination of overtime pay.

    GANNON: I don’t think, as a labor leader you can agree to any of these menu items without getting some sort of guarantees you can go back to your members with.

    Those guarantees would include a promise from Daley to not cut any more jobs in the near future, but that’s a commitment the mayor isn’t yet willing to make.

    DALEY: Say next year becomes worse than this year. What are we going to do? That’s the problem.

    Negotiations between the city and organized labor are expected to heat up in the next couple of days.

  9. May 8, 2009

    BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter
    Mayor Daley said Friday he would not be drawn into a political battle with embattled Cook County Board President Todd Stroger over which politician has raised taxes the most.

    Earlier this week, Daley joined his brother, County Board Finance Committee Chairman John Daley, in supporting the full repeal of Stroger’s one percentage point increase in the Cook County sales tax.

    The mayor called the increase “very detrimental” for both retailers and consumers. He said county commissioners “realized what an impact it had upon everyone in Cook County — a very negative impact. . . . It was strictly something that, I think, they had to do.”

    Stroger responded by reminding reporters of all the taxes Daley has raised.

    Over the last two years alone, the mayor has raised taxes, fines and fees by a whopping $329 million, including the largest property tax increase in Chicago history. In 2005, Daley’s $85.7 million tax package included a one-quarter of 1 percent increase in the Chicago sales tax.

    “The city has raised nine different taxes in the last two years,” Stroger said. “I’m not beating the drum, saying that I think the city has done the wrong thing. . . . I think really that the mayor should look at his job. We’re doing the best we can in our job.”

    On Friday, reporters tried to get Daley’s response. But, he refused to take the bait.

    “Remember. I said there was gonna be a gig-a headline. You would try to get Todd and I kind of fighting. And I said ‘I don’t know why you’re doing that. . . . Don’t do that gig. I did not fight Todd Stroger,” the mayor said at an unrelated event.

    “I just said the members of the County Board had to deal with that issue. . . . They have to make some difficult decisions and they made it. I’m the mayor of the city of Chicago. I’m making difficult decisions on my budget. So, no more gigs. Don’t write any more headlines like that. . . . The gig’s up.”

    Earlier this week, the County Board voted 12 to 3 to repeal the controversial sales-tax increase, setting up a showdown with Stroger, who wanted to roll back only one-fourth of the extra penny-on-the-dollar tax.

    Stroger initially vowed to veto the full repeal to stave off a $300 million revenue loss that, he warned, could force the closing of Provident and Oak Forest Hospitals and a dozen county-run medical clinics.

    The following day, Stroger changed his mind, saying he might not veto the repeal after all. He said he would decide after talking to county commissioners and other countywide elected officials about what the loss of revenue might mean to their offices.

    Stroger has until Monday to make up his mind.

    Fourteen votes would be needed to override a Stroger veto, a four-fifths majority of the 17-member board.

  10. 2009 Chicago Troublemakers School

    Layoffs. Concessions. Benefit cuts. Corporate America has created the biggest crisis for workers in a hundred years, and we are paying the price. How do we keep what we’ve got while building power to fight for more?
    Join Chicagoland workers and Labor Notes for a day-long Troublemakers School in your neighborhood.

    Labor activists are digging in their heels as the economy pelts workers with everything its got. Get equipped with an analysis of the economic crisis, and hear from workers throughout the city who are fighting cuts and concessions.

    Saturday, May 9
    9:00 am to 4:30 pm
    Malcolm X College
    1900 W. Van Buren

    Flyer: http://labornotes.org/files/ChicagoTroublemakerSch

  11. I can’t believe they arrested Drew Peterson for murdering his wives and they still let Daley be free. A man who murders his wives is less guilty than all the havoc this mayor has caused. I can’t believe this.Am I joking? Fu(k no! I think this next mayoral election will be Daleys last. I also bet that Daley has the state legislators change the election rules to eliminate this 50% factor to go on to the general. He will have it moved back to a primary so he can win it with 35% of the vote. This Daley is a fu(king bastard!

  12. what’s up dog! I am willing to give the city of
    chicago 14 days off without
    pay,If the mayor resigns and the city council gets cut in half to 25 Aldermen!
    OH ya,why don’t we sell the
    bean?

  13. Pat,

    Your videos here are great!!
    (Response) Thank you very much. You forgot to post your name.

    Since you edit my last post and change the intented contents and meaning you can now add me to list of soon to be plantiff against you. Oh by the way I do quite a bit of………..

    Video, photos hey is all legal. See ya Pat

    (Response) He we go again….. do what you want, make sure you stop the harassment, threats, and intimidation. I do not posts threats to endanger people. Last warning, if you post that crap again, I will report you to the FEDS. Leave kids alone. STOP!

  14. I was wondering why the White House is talking how good the economy is getting. It’s Obamas latest scam. Layoffs continue and home prices are still plummeting but the media and Obama and the feds are reporting how the economy is “doing great, turning around”. What a joke. The market forces must correct themselves so hold on to your seat and fasten your seat belts. Read this joke of an article paragraph and see what new con Obama is up to::::::Will Obama use “The Secret” to fix the economy?
    By Tracy R Twyman

    So Barack Obama has apparently been reading a book called Animal Spirits by Robert Shiller, about how human psychology affects economics. And according to this propaganda piece from the Financial Times, this book has inspired Obama to approach the economic issues wholly psychologically. Just as The Secret teaches that you can create personal wealth and success just by thinking positively, Obama is going to try to do the same thing on a macroeconomic scale.,,,,,P.S. Stroger is knocking Daley because Daley is abandoning him. I don’t care much for Stroger but I hope he continues to wallup Daley in the press. It was Daley and his brother John who made Stroger raise retail taxes by 1% point, and now they are knifing Stroger in the back. If Stroger goes down he should take daley down with him.

  15. Asking the guys getting ready to retire in a few years to take these days off and any pay cuts are SCREWING with their pension!!! Let those with 15 or 20 years or less take the cuts. Or just go with lay offs, last hired first to go. I was layed off for a while many years ago with no guarantee of return. If lay offs happen, give them a 2 or 3 years hire back clause. DON’T SCREW THE OLD TIMERS!!

  16. “DON’T SCREW THE OLD TIMERS!!”

    Fuck the old timers, they’ve been sucking at the city’s tit their entire lives.

    The old timers can well afford to take a hit, for once in their long lasting careers, they’ve been the ones abusing the system the longest.

    If the ‘old timers’ are concerned about their pensions, they can retire now, while they still have a pension to lock into.

    What the hell are the ‘old timers’ still hanging around for, to work their asses off up to the moment they breath their last breath?

    Shit, retire already, ‘old timers’, let those who’re just starting their families have a shot at making a living, and go try to enjoy what little life you’ve got left.

  17. This video touched on many salient points regarding the City’s practices of administering programs to provide legal cover.

    I’d describe the men I’m working for now to be myopic, career limiting, and discriminatory. Last year I was given one day of formal training on complex electrical switchgear that controls airfield lighting and power. I had to sign off on the documentation provided. Similarly situated men have been given daily mentoring and ongoing training. I’ve been confined to the shop, and placed in marginal assignments since a new manager took over three years ago.

    Now in a limited area with like minded individuals, my working conditions have steadily deteriorated. Requests for reassingment have been denied for the past three years.

    I was harassed, had my work set ups destroyed, as well as equipment needed to do my work. Overtime was manipulated to keep me off of knowledge enhancing assignments.

    With one day of training, my supervisors and representative have scheduled me to work with supervisors who aren’t familiar with the airfield. The concept is commonly referred to as being set up to fail. I’ve turned down the overtime repeatedly due to safety considerations.

    I’ve had driving priviledges for years and passed the required test by studying the manuals. That is seperate from understanding the complex airfield lighting and control circuitry.

    If I tried to litigate not obtaining experience on the airfield equal to what the men have received. Exhibit “A” would be the airfield training paperwork that I signed off on that encompassed the one day of training.

  18. Your videos here are great!!
    (Response) Thank you very much. You forgot to post your name.

    Since you edit my last post and change the intented contents and meaning you can now add me to list of soon to be plantiff against you. Oh by the way I do quite a bit of………..

    Video, photos hey is all legal. See ya Pat

    (Response) He we go again….. do what you want, make sure you stop the harassment, threats, and intimidation. I do not posts threats to endanger people. Last warning, if you post that crap again, I will report you to the FEDS. Leave kids alone. STOP!
    (Sections missing for my kids safety) Her he goes again!!!!
    Despite how you portray you self as a victim, you are a con man.

    However I did not mean to and will not risk any thing with any children period so I will not post about that on your sight anymore. But when the shit hits the fan it will be all on you and only on you.

    (Response) Some people just do not get it. You can insult me, but leave the kids alone. You need to post on weirdo sites. We are fighty for our jobs now, be gone!

  19. This video touched on many salient points regarding the City’s practices of administering programs to provide legal cover.

    I’d describe the men I’m working for now to be myopic, career limiting, and discriminatory. Last year I was given one day of formal training on complex electrical switchgear that controls airfield lighting and power. I had to sign off on the documentation provided. Similarly situated men have been given daily mentoring and ongoing training. I’ve been confined to the shop, and placed in marginal assignments since a new manager took over three years ago.

    Now in a limited area with like minded individuals, my working conditions have steadily deteriorated. Requests for reassingment have been denied for the past three years.

    I was harassed, had my work set ups destroyed, as well as equipment needed to do my work. Overtime was manipulated to keep me off of knowledge enhancing assignments.

    With one day of training, my supervisors and representative have scheduled me to work with supervisors who aren’t familiar with the airfield. The concept is commonly referred to as being set up to fail. I’ve turned down the overtime repeatedly due to safety considerations.

    I’ve had driving priviledges for years and passed the required test by studying the manuals. That is seperate from understanding the complex airfield lighting and control circuitry.

    If I tried to litigate not obtaining experience on the airfield equal to what the men have received. Exhibit “A” would be the airfield training paperwork that I signed off on that encompassed the one day of training.

    Please Brava or Jonie you are always so negative about everything and you continue to make yourself a victim. It is impossible to always be a victim.

    You have so much to offer but you need to stop playing the victim. Life can be tough and overwhelming sometime. Please get yourself some help.

    Use some of that $50,000 you got and see someone who can help you. Stop turning yourself into a professional victim.

  20. (Response) Some people just do not get it. You can insult me, but leave the kids alone. You need to post on weirdo sites. We are fighty for our jobs now, be gone!

    This is weido sight or atleast run by one

  21. What a supercillious patronizing attitude you have. Maybe you can have a “groupthink” session with the boys from Edison Park to quell your Shakman Accord angst.

  22. What a supercillious patronizing attitude you have. Maybe you can have a “groupthink” session with the boys from Edison Park to quell your Shakman Accord angst.

    Hey Joanie,

    How many people have you complained about or filed complaints about overthe years, 30, 40, 50 or more.

    Every make you think is it all of them of is it you.

    Get some help please…

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