Excerpts from Bettergov.org:
A rope found in the locker of a firefighter union official may signal internal conflict within a fire department in a western suburb, as new work rules are being introduced.
A noose is widely recognized as a symbol of racial hatred, especially against African Americans, who were victims of lynching for many years. Recently, a noose has become a focal point in a dispute between white firefighters in Westchester, a town just outside Chicago. The issue stems from proposed changes to work rules that have caused deep divisions among the department's members.
The incident dates back to September, when a white firefighter discovered a rope resembling a noose inside his locker at the Westchester Fire Department. This information came from police reports and documents obtained by the Better Government Association through the Illinois Freedom of Information Act.
Village officials do not believe the rope was intentionally placed there as a noose. However, the firefighter, Matthew Martin, felt threatened and reported “tension among union members†in a police report.
At the time, Martin was serving as the president of the firefighters’ union. He had been at the center of controversy due to his role in passing policies that some rank-and-file members disagreed with. As part of an agreement where the village decided not to outsource fire services, the union approved several contract revisions, including lowering the allowable blood-alcohol level for on-duty firefighters from 0.05 to 0.021—well below the legal driving limit of 0.08.
Earlier reports from 2013 by the BGA revealed that many police and fire departments allowed employees to work with high levels of alcohol in their systems. Westchester was highlighted in one of those reports because the village board approved a union deal that permitted police officers to work with a blood-alcohol level of up to 0.05, despite the mayor’s objections.
Since then, Village Manager Janet Matthys has been working to lower these limits across all union contracts, but so far, only the firefighters' contract has been adjusted.
A major point of contention arose in 2015 when new rules prohibited firefighters from working second jobs at other fire departments. “A few firefighters had to give up their side jobs,†Matthys said. “They were upset with the union board, especially the president, feeling their voices weren’t heard.†This led to two factions forming within the union and significant internal conflict. (The department has 28 firefighters, 24 of whom are union members.)
It was around this time that the noose-like rope was found in Martin’s locker.
After the police investigation began, someone from the fire department admitted to finding the rope on the ground, picking it up, and hanging it on a hook to avoid a tripping hazard, according to documents and interviews.
“The fire chief explained to me that they do rope maneuvers regularly,†said Westchester Police Chief John M. Carpino. “I said, ‘OK, I think we’re done here.’ It’s a shame that it escalated to the point where someone felt their life was in danger. I think it was a lot about nothing.â€
Matthew Martin, who resigned as union president but remains a firefighter, stated, “As union president, I was trying to support our firefighters and the community. But I was personally attacked and ridiculed for it.†He declined to comment further and referred questions to the village.
In an email to Fire Chief James Adams, Martin mentioned a series of “personal attacks against certain union executives†and expressed dissatisfaction with the village’s conclusion about the rope. Despite his resignation, he continues to serve as a firefighter.
To address the growing tensions, the village board recently hired a consulting firm for about $28,000 to audit the fire department. The review will cover finances, personnel management, and response times, with a draft expected by the end of May.
In 2014, the average salary for Westchester firefighters was approximately $80,000 per year, with most trained as paramedics.
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