Chicago offers 5-year deal to snowplow operators following strike threat
Chicago offers 5-year deal to snowplow operators following strike threat
Illinois’ unfair collective bargaining laws led to a five-year contract offer on the eve of a strike vote.
By Amy Korte
Freeze-out: Government union strike could cripple Chicago this winter
Freeze-out: Government union strike could cripple Chicago this winter
A potential strike by Teamsters Local 700 – which represents snowplow operators in Chicago – could have a disastrous impact on travel and safety in the city. Unlike neighboring states, Illinois law enshrines this “right to strike,” thereby giving government worker unions enormous power in bargaining.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois’ government union laws drive up costs as negotiations drag on
Illinois’ government union laws drive up costs as negotiations drag on
Unlike most of its neighbors, Illinois places no limits on the types of provisions that can be negotiated into government worker contracts.
By Mailee Smith
Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving
Government unions, your property tax bill and the power of giving
Balancing the scales at the bargaining table is an essential step in fixing the property tax problem.
By Austin Berg
Cook County jail worker abused family leave, called off work 60 times
Cook County jail worker abused family leave, called off work 60 times
A suspended Cook County Jail corrections officer faces termination following serial abuses of a federal family leave rule.
By Vincent Caruso
AFSCME pay decision reveals high cost of government worker unions
AFSCME pay decision reveals high cost of government worker unions
An Illinois appellate court ruled Nov. 6 the state must pay “step” raises to the approximately 35,000 state workers represented by AFSCME – a cost that burdens already overtaxed Illinoisans.
By Mailee Smith
House again fails to ban local Right to Work
House again fails to ban local Right to Work
The Illinois House’s failure to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto is a victory for local leaders trying to attract good jobs for their communities.
By Mailee Smith
Under Illinois strike laws, everyone loses
Under Illinois strike laws, everyone loses
Palatine-area District 15 support staff returned to work at the end of October, following a two-week strike. But workers are still without a contract, making the strike nothing more than a show of union muscle at the expense of workers, students and parents.
By Mailee Smith
House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905
House considers legislation to remove criminal penalty from SB 1905
An amendment has been filed in the Illinois House of Representatives that would remove language making local government officials criminals simply for enacting Right-to-Work laws. But significant problems remain.
By Mailee Smith
The 6 biggest myths about banning local Right to Work in Illinois
The 6 biggest myths about banning local Right to Work in Illinois
The Illinois House failed – by just one vote – to override Rauner’s veto of SB 1905, a ban of local Right-to-Work ordinances. But the bill is likely come back for another vote.
By Mailee Smith
House fails to ban local Right-to-Work ordinances
House fails to ban local Right-to-Work ordinances
The Illinois House failed to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 1905. If passed, the bill would criminalize local officials for enacting Right-to-Work ordinances.
By Mailee Smith
Palatine workers have right to strike, but that doesn’t include right to continued benefits
Palatine workers have right to strike, but that doesn’t include right to continued benefits
Under Illinois law, government employees can choose to walk out on strike – but it carries risks. Striking workers give up wages and benefit contributions – and maybe even their jobs – when they walk out.
By Mailee Smith