Case: Labor Arbitration/Suspension (Arb.)

Arbitrator E. Frank Cornelius denied a grievance filed by the Illinois FOP Labor Council challenging the City of Columbia’s demotion and five-day suspension of a grievant police officer who spent 25-30% of his working hours in dispatch instead of patrolling. Despite finding the City violated the Illinois Municipal Code’s prohibition against comparing citation numbers between officers and failed to properly notify the union of prior disciplinary actions, Arbitrator Cornelius ruled the evidence of the grievant’s misconduct was overwhelming, particularly considering his failure to complete reports on time, inadequate self-initiated work, and pattern of ignoring directives about limiting time in dispatch ...