Crime & Safety

Suburban 9-1-1 Dispatchers Considering Strike

Dispatchers for the Northwest Central Dispatch System filed a strike notice.

Suburban 9-1-1 dispatchers are threatening to go on strike, but officials say they have a plan to ensure emergency services are not disrupted if that happens.

The Northwest Central Dispatch System serves 11 suburbs: Palatine, Inverness, Buffalo Grove, Schaumburg, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows and Streamwood.

The Metropolitan Alliance of Police has been negotiating a new contract on behalf of the system's 70 dispatchers. This week, the union filed a notice of a possible strike.

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The earliest dispatchers could go on strike is Thursday, Oct. 6.

Schaumburg Village Manager Ken Fritz, who chairs the Northwest Central Dispatch board of directors, said he is optimistic that a deal will be struck and a strike avoided. However, he said the system is prepared to deal with a strike should it occur.

Find out what's happening in Palatinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Our message to the half a million residents we serve is simple. When our residents dial 9-1-1 they do so with the expectation that they will receive the help and attention they deserve. That will continue, uninterrupted regardless of any action taken by the union," Fritz said.

Fritz said there are emergency plans in place should the system fail and those will be used if a strike happens. He said some dispatch duties could be picked up by the communities. There are also 10 non-union personnel who would assume some duties. And some duties would be switched over to the Cook County dispatch system.

"The switch over is not something we enjoy and it is not without challenges," Fritz said. "Our goal and priority is the safety of residents."

Fritz said that although the notice was finalized he believed both parties were committed to getting a new contract completed and avoiding a strike. He said the Northwest Central Dispatch System had recently received the union's latest proposal and that it was being evaluated.

"It is also our goal to continue negotiations with the union toward an agreement that is fair to our employees and to taxpayers," Fritz said. "First and foremost, we are seeking a contract with our hard-working employees that enables the [system] to deliver the best possible service to residents at the most reasonable cost."


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