Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
Carpentersville Fire Department Chief John Skillman is set to retire this spring after a 29-year career with the department. Born and raised in Carpentersville, he has served in various roles, including deputy fire chief, battalion chief, and lieutenant, before being appointed as fire chief just over a year ago. His predecessor, Public Safety Director Al Popp, has since left the organization.
The village has launched an external search for Skillman’s replacement, marking the third leadership change in the department since long-time Chief John Schuldt retired in 2013. In addition to the leadership transition, recent personnel changes have seen Deputy Chief Kevin Rynders removed from his position, which is now being filled by a civilian employee. The reasons behind Rynders’ departure remain unclear, and officials have not provided further details on the matter.
Kathy Lamkin, the interim director of human resources, mentioned that once a new chief is hired, the department will review its organizational structure, including the future of the deputy chief role. Village Board member Ed Ritter also emphasized the need to reduce overtime expenses within the fire department.
GovHR USA, a recruitment firm, will assist in selecting candidates for the chief position, based on criteria set by the village. The salary range for the role is between $125,000 and $155,000, depending on experience. Mark Rooney, the village manager, expressed the desire to find a leader who can drive positive change and rebuild trust with the local firefighters’ union, Local 4790.
Rooney highlighted the need for a “cultural transformational-type leader†to move past recent tensions. Union President Rick Nieves noted that while there were occasional disagreements with previous leadership, the relationship with the firefighters had been generally good. However, he acknowledged that the village and the union have often found themselves at odds, leaving the fire chief caught in the middle.
Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:
Members of the Carpentersville International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4790 are expressing strong concern over the planned layoffs of two full-time firefighters, scheduled to take effect on April 22. The union had only just begun contract negotiations with village officials when they received the news, according to union President Lt. Rick Nieves.
Nieves criticized the decision, stating that the union had made efforts to reduce overtime costs through flexible scheduling. “We have put forth a good-faith effort to reduce overtime costs by agreeing to flexible scheduling to react to manpower shortages, but sadly the village chose to use it ineffectively,†he said. He also pointed out that the union does not control the overtime that was approved and budgeted for the fiscal year.
Village Manager Mark Rooney, who had not yet seen the union’s statement, declined to comment on the matter. Nieves reminded readers that in 2014, the union and the village reached an agreement to implement a swing-shift schedule, aimed at reducing costs without laying off full-time firefighters. At the time, the village assured the union that no full-time firefighters would be laid off during the term of the collective bargaining agreement, which ended in 2016. In exchange, the union withdrew a grievance related to earlier layoffs.
However, Nieves claims that the village opted out of the swing-shift program on the same day the layoff notices were issued. This is the second time the union has made concessions to address staffing issues, according to Nieves. “But we don’t believe we should shoulder the entire burden. The village has not laid off any other employees and has given raises to others this year,†he said.
The union also pointed out that the village has a history of delaying replacements for injured or retiring staff, which strains the already limited overtime budget. A recent staffing study, funded by the village, recommended increasing staffing to four firefighters per station. Nieves urged collaboration to implement these recommendations and expressed concern over the current situation, especially with the loss of key leadership positions.
Thanks, Dan
Plastic Panel Film,Transparent Pe Film,High Viscosity Protective Film,Scratch Protection Pe Film
Wuxi Xinhao Protective Film CO.,Ltd , https://www.cotton-balewrap.com