City of Markham Owes $500,000 in Backpay to Its Police Officers

MARKHAM, Ill., July 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The City of Markham owes about $500,000 in backpay to the majority of its police force, which is represented by Teamsters Local 700.

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In 2005, Markham police officers - who had been on the force for five years or more - were awarded nearly $500,000 in backpay after Local 700 took the City of Markham to arbitration. The officers also were awarded 12 percent interest on the backpay, which has compounded over the past several years.

Currently, Local 700 has taken the City of Markham to court, fighting to get police officers what's owed to them.

"These are hard working folks who deserve to do their job and receive fair treatment and accurate wages," said Barb Cornett, a Local 700 business agent who represents the officers.

Many of the union-represented Markham police officers have been put in an unfavorable light with the Markham Police administration, Cornett said.

"They're determined to get rid of the thorn in its side – those police officers with Local 700 – and we're not going to let that happen," she said.

Teamsters Local 700 represents more than 14,000 public employees throughout Illinois.

SOURCE Teamsters Local 700