Supreme Court to hear arguments on forced union fees
Supreme Court to hear arguments on forced union fees
On Jan. 11, lawyers for the plaintiffs in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association will argue before the U.S. Supreme Court that the First Amendment prohibits the government from forcing its employees to pay union fees.
Jim Andersen
Jim Andersen
AFSCME's demands would cost Illinois taxpayers an additional $3 billion over the course of the contract.
AFSCME: Rauner has declared impasse in contract negotiations
AFSCME: Rauner has declared impasse in contract negotiations
Without a strike fund, AFSCME – which represents 60,000 state workers in Illinois – has avoided a strike. But since the union announced that the governor has walked way from contract talks, a strike could be on the horizon.
Lincolnshire voters overwhelmingly support Right to Work
Lincolnshire voters overwhelmingly support Right to Work
In the face of strident union opposition, Lincolnshire’s Village Board voted 5-1 to pass a worker-freedom ordinance.
By Jim Long
Standing up to unions
Standing up to unions
If the unions really think it's so unfair that they have to represent everyone, then how about we change the law to "one or none" so that they only have to represent union supporters?
By John Tillman
Village of Lincolnshire becomes first Illinois municipality to protect worker choice
Village of Lincolnshire becomes first Illinois municipality to protect worker choice
No worker should be forced to pay a union in order to have or hold onto a job. Workers in Lincolnshire are now the first in Illinois to be guaranteed this basic right, as the Village Board voted Dec. 14 to adopt local Right to Work.
By Michael Lucci
A worker’s right to choose
A worker’s right to choose
Hundreds of thousands of Illinois workers are forced to pay union dues to keep their jobs. But close by, worker freedom reigns.
By Austin Berg
In Friedrichs case, First Amendment freedom must trump federalism
In Friedrichs case, First Amendment freedom must trump federalism
The states are the laboratories of democracy, but their experiments can’t violate citizens’ constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of association under the First Amendment of the Constitution.
6 reasons the Chicago Teachers Union has no business striking again
6 reasons the Chicago Teachers Union has no business striking again
The Chicago Teachers Union should think twice before making demands that could result in more taxes on city residents, school closings and teacher layoffs.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Under Illinois law, CTU must wait 4 months to strike after mediation fails
Under Illinois law, CTU must wait 4 months to strike after mediation fails
The Chicago Teachers Union cannot legally strike before completing several procedural steps, which would take four months following failed mediation with Chicago Public Schools; however, the union could flout the law and strike sooner in the hope of pressuring Chicago Public Schools to reach a deal quickly.
By Jeffrey Schwab
AFSCME’s hidden raises: A primer on government-worker salary schedules
AFSCME’s hidden raises: A primer on government-worker salary schedules
Under the union’s complicated salary formulas, yearly government-worker raises are higher than the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees would lead Illinoisans to believe.
By Ted Dabrowski, John Klingner
Rauner administration reaches contract deals with three unions
Rauner administration reaches contract deals with three unions
Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration said Thursday it has reached tentative agreements with unions representing roughly 300 engineers and operators, plumbers, steamfitters and machinists.
By Mark Fitton
Dues and don’ts: SEIU spent caregivers’ money for ‘representation’ on advertising, Christmas party
Dues and don’ts: SEIU spent caregivers’ money for ‘representation’ on advertising, Christmas party
SEIU spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on things clearly unrelated to the representation of union members.
By Austin Berg
Illinois child care providers sue SEIU for millions in wrongfully withheld union fees
Illinois child care providers sue SEIU for millions in wrongfully withheld union fees
Illinois child care providers are suing to recoup the dues they were forced to pay to the Service Employees International Union.