Poll shows Illinoisans support both unions and Right to Work principles
Poll shows Illinoisans support both unions and Right to Work principles
A new Paul Simon Public Policy Institute poll reveals that nearly half of Illinoisans support Right-to-Work laws – but that more education on worker freedom is needed.
By Mailee Smith
Average Metropolitan Water Reclamation District employee makes nearly $100K per year
Average Metropolitan Water Reclamation District employee makes nearly $100K per year
Government employees responsible for managing water quality are earning six-figure salaries, despite a recent history of slacking on taxpayers’ time.
Over 370 Cook County correctional officers call off work during Cubs playoff run
Over 370 Cook County correctional officers call off work during Cubs playoff run
Cook County correctional officers’ unusually high use of sick and family medical leave coincides with Cubs playoff games.
By Brendan Bakala
AFSCME’s demands come at expense of neediest Illinoisans
AFSCME’s demands come at expense of neediest Illinoisans
By demanding a larger share of the state’s limited resources, AFSCME is depleting state funds and keeping them from social service providers and other Illinoisans who most need them.
By Mailee Smith
3 reasons why Chicagoans can’t afford the latest CTU contract
3 reasons why Chicagoans can’t afford the latest CTU contract
A career teacher can expect to collect $2 million in benefits during his or her retirement.
By John Klingner
AFSCME’s goal: Elect union-friendly politicians as end run around contract negotiations
AFSCME’s goal: Elect union-friendly politicians as end run around contract negotiations
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal employees has used stall tactics in labor negotiations, in an apparent attempt to wait out the state till more union-friendly lawmakers could be elected and hand AFSCME its demands outside the contract negotiating process.
By Mailee Smith
Chicago Teachers Union authorizes strike
Chicago Teachers Union authorizes strike
Many educators are wary of a strike’s hardships and long-term consequences for students, their families and the educators themselves. These teachers can remove themselves from CTU authority and the conflict between union priorities and students’ needs.
By Mailee Smith
Teachers who oppose CTU strike can opt out of union
Teachers who oppose CTU strike can opt out of union
Resigning from the union before the potential upcoming strike can protect teachers from union discipline.
By Mailee Smith
AFSCME to Illinois: Raise taxes to pay government workers more
AFSCME to Illinois: Raise taxes to pay government workers more
AFSCME wants the state to hike taxes on Illinois residents to fund the union’s demands for salary and benefit increases.
By Mailee Smith
3 key takeaways from the AFSCME impasse decision
3 key takeaways from the AFSCME impasse decision
On Sept. 2, a state administrative law judge issued a 400-page recommendation regarding the status of contract negotiations between Illinois and the state’s largest government-worker union. Three important things to know about the decision include: the state and AFSCME are in uncharted territory in their negotiation-related proceedings, the judge found the parties have reached impasse on 5 of 12 contested issues and the judge questioned AFSCME’s testimony and behavior during negotiations.
By Mailee Smith
Some workers are more equal than others
Some workers are more equal than others
From 2005 to 2014, AFSCME worker salaries grew 5 times faster than Illinois workers’ earnings.
By Austin Berg
Labor law 101: Understanding the basics
Labor law 101: Understanding the basics
Familiarity with labor law terminology helps Illinoisans understand the impact of government-worker unions and the need for labor reform in the state.
By Mailee Smith
Administrative law judge: State and AFSCME are at partial impasse in contract negotiations
Administrative law judge: State and AFSCME are at partial impasse in contract negotiations
Illinois taxpayers have won a partial victory in the first round of impasse proceedings between the state and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, as the administrative law judge’s ruling puts the state closer to implementing its last contract offer to state AFSCME workers.
By Mailee Smith
Understanding the stalled contract negotiations between the state and AFSCME
Understanding the stalled contract negotiations between the state and AFSCME
An administrative law judge could issue a decision as early as Sept. 1 on whether Illinois state workers and the governor are at an impasse in contract negotiations. Here’s a rundown of the proceedings between Illinois’ largest government-worker union and the state, as well as their potential impact on residents and state employees.
By Mailee Smith