After conducting some informational picketing in recent years, State of Illinois employees may soon go on strike. State employees represented by AFSCME – the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 – have approved a strike authorization. It does not necessarily mean there will be a strike, however.
AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch says the talks are at this point because Governor Bruce Rauner refuses to negotiate with the union. It was the first-ever strike authorization vote in state government, and it was approved with an 81-percent majority.
The union says that instead of working toward a compromise, Governor Rauner has been seeking the power to unilaterally impose his own extreme demands, including a 100% hike in employee costs for health care that would take $10,000 out of the pocket of the average state worker, a four-year wage freeze and an end to safeguards against irresponsible privatization.
‘’State workers don’t want to strike,’’ said AFSCME Director Lynch. ‘’We are keenly aware of the importance of the public services we provide, and we are willing to compromise,’’ added Lynch. ‘’But if Governor Rauner continues to refuse his legal obligation to bargain in good faith, he risks a strike that would shut down state government, and he alone bears the responsibility for the harm a strike would cause.’’
The Rauner Administration released a statement through General Counsel Dennis Murashko. It said (in part): ‘’The vote to authorize a strike is an attack on our state’s hardworking taxpayers and all those who rely on critical services provided everyday. It is a direct result of AFSCME leadership’s ongoing misinformation campaign about our proposal.’’
The Rauner Administration’s statement added: ‘’AFSCME leaders would rather strike than work 40 hours a week before earning overtime. They want to earn overtime after working just 37.5 hours per week.’’
The Rauner Administration statement also said: ‘’AFSCME leaders would rather strike than allow state employees to be paid based on merit. They want to stick to paying people based on seniority, regardless of whether they are doing a good job.’’
And the Rauner Administration statement adds: ‘’If AFSCME chooses to strike, we will use every resource to ensure services continue to be available to the people of Illinois. We continue to encourage AFSCME to work with us in implementing a contract that is similar to those ratified by 20 other unions.’’
[**Note: The photo is of informational picketing that occurred in front of the Danville Correctional Center in August of 2015.]
