Chicago Teachers Union seeks more negotiating power, strike authority in HB 1253
Chicago Teachers Union seeks more negotiating power, strike authority in HB 1253
While states surrounding Illinois are enacting labor reforms that benefit residents, Illinois remains a bastion of labor power. Now the Chicago Teachers Union wants even more power – including the broadened right to go on strike and strand parents and students.
By Mailee Smith
Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision
Rauner seeks quicker resolution of AFSCME impasse decision
AFSCME’s obstruction of a contract for state workers costs taxpayers approximately $35 million to $40 million a month in healthcare costs alone. Gov. Bruce Rauner is seeking a direct appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court to bring relief to taxpayers burdened by AFSCME’s stall tactics.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately
Illinois Supreme Court won’t hear state employee pay case immediately
The Illinois Supreme Court refused to hear Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s request to stop state employees from getting paid until a budget is passed.
By Brendan Bakala
Taxpayers deserve say in the teachers’ union contracts they pay for
Taxpayers deserve say in the teachers’ union contracts they pay for
Negotiations between government-worker unions and governing bodies are conducted behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. And yet taxpayers are required to pay for whatever extravagant benefits the unions obtain. Recently a bill in the General Assembly would have brought more transparency – and accountability – to the process, but it failed to make it out of committee.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois lawmakers vote against bill to protect state workers from having their Social Security number shared with unions
Illinois lawmakers vote against bill to protect state workers from having their Social Security number shared with unions
Through collective bargaining agreements with the state, government-worker unions require access to workers’ social security numbers – even if those workers are not members of the union. A bill protecting worker privacy recently failed to get enough votes to pass out of committee.
By Mailee Smith
According to AFSCME’s numbers, fewer than half of Illinois state workers voted to authorize strike
According to AFSCME’s numbers, fewer than half of Illinois state workers voted to authorize strike
In a recent strike-authorization vote, fewer than half of state workers represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees cast ballots in favor of a strike, despite union leaders’ characterization of the outcome as majority approval.
By Mailee Smith
AFSCME’s battle with Rauner is far from over
AFSCME’s battle with Rauner is far from over
An Illinois appellate court ruled in favor of AFSCME March 1, but that isn’t the end of the court battle between the state and its largest government-worker union. The court’s order to prevent the governor from implementing his contract offer is temporary, and there is much more to come.
By Mailee Smith
The fair share option for Rockford school workers who don’t want to strike
The fair share option for Rockford school workers who don’t want to strike
Bus drivers, paraprofessionals and food services workers at Rockford Public Schools will go on strike March 15 if a new contract is not reached soon. Employees who want to go to work can be punished by AFSCME Local 692. They can avoid union punishment by becoming fair share payers.
By Mailee Smith
Taxpayers lose first round to AFSCME in appellate court
Taxpayers lose first round to AFSCME in appellate court
An Illinois appellate court issued an order on March 1 preventing Gov. Bruce Rauner from implementing his contract offer to AFSCME, the union that represents approximately 35,000 state workers. That means the state and Illinois taxpayers will continue to lose millions of dollars a month while the case proceeds.
By Mailee Smith
Opting out of AFSCME membership: FAQs on fair share payers
Opting out of AFSCME membership: FAQs on fair share payers
AFSCME Executive Director Roberta Lynch announced Feb. 23 that union members voted to authorize a state worker strike. But state workers have another option. By becoming a fair share payer, state workers can report to work during a strike without facing union punishment. Here’s what state workers need to know about fair share status.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois takes steps to more easily replace striking workers
Illinois takes steps to more easily replace striking workers
Following a strike authorization vote by the union representing Illinois workers, the state launched a website that streamlines the application process for temporary workers. It allows the state to more easily carry on operations should state workers decide to walk out on the job.
By Mailee Smith
Dispelling AFSCME’s myths about contract negotiations with the state of Illinois
Dispelling AFSCME’s myths about contract negotiations with the state of Illinois
State workers represented by AFSCME just voted to authorize a strike. Unfortunately, members might have based their votes on myths perpetuated by the union.
By Mailee Smith
AFSCME members don’t have to go on strike: They can become fair share payers
AFSCME members don’t have to go on strike: They can become fair share payers
Illinois state workers who don’t want to go on strike can become fair share payers. Here’s how.
By Mailee Smith
Illinois state workers risk losing jobs by going on strike
Illinois state workers risk losing jobs by going on strike
State workers represented by AFSCME are currently voting on whether to authorize a strike - here's what's at stake for employees who decide to honor a strike.
By Mailee Smith