D122 Union Asks for Support in Possible 'Unfair Labor Practices' Against Broderick

In a lengthy statement read at the Feb. 6 New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education meeting, Katie Kollross, New Lenox Council President of AFT Local 604, asked the board to honor a request to meet with the Will County State's Attorney to discuss the possibility of filing an "unfair labor practices" claim against Board Member Maureen Broderick.

Broderick made no comment about Kollross' statement.  

Kollross said Broderick's request Feb. 5 for an email communication between the Union President and AFT members was the second violation. "AFT Local 604 has advised me that member Broderick's requests of my emails as Union President to union members is interfering with union business and constitutes an Unfair Labor Practice under the IELRA (Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act)."

The first violation stems from a Jan. 11 request by Broderick to union members for a copy of an email conveyance. On Jan. 11, Broderick was among a group of three New Lenox School District Electoral Board members to judge whether or not a nominating petition by Board Member Kathy Miller was valid in light of notary errors.

Read more coverage:

• Judge Rules D122 Member Kathy Miller Back on April Ballot (UPDATE)

• D122 Member Kathy Miller Kicked Off April Election Ballot
• Anonymous Tip Led to D122 Petition Objection (UPDATE)
• Candidate Petition for New Lenox School District Challenged; Hearing Set for Friday
• D122 Board President Says Fellow Member Was Behind Kathy Miller Objection

The 2-to1 decision to accept the objection to the petition worked to kick Miller off the ballot. The decision by the Electoral Board unleashed an outcry from Miller supporters and accusations of foul play. According to the objection, the notary on page four of the five-page document was faulty.

However, that decision was overturned Jan. 28 when Will County Judge John Anderson ruled that the errors were insufficient to eliminate Miller from the ballot.

So far, legal fees associated with the hearing have mounted to about $9,000, said Board President Nick DiSandro.

Before the Board adjourned into executive session, DiSandro turned to Broderick, and said her requests for union conveyances were wrong. It's against board protocols. He said he told that to Broderick in early January, noting then that it was improper.

DiSandro said he believes that Broderick should resign from the board.

Miller weighs the cost of possible civil action

Reflecting on the situation as a whole, including the hearing and accusations of foul play, Miller said she has contemplated a civil action against Broderick. However, the cost to the district weighs heavy on her mind. "I will do everything in my power to avoid incurring any additional expenses to the district."

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