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* Gov. Rauner’s administration responded to calls by 7 Republican legislators to re-start contract talks with AFSCME…
After 67 days of bargaining sessions, the Administration asked the Illinois Labor Relations Board – according to the terms agreed to by AFSCME in the tolling agreement - to determine if the parties are at an impasse. Until the Labor Board rules, all formal negotiations have been suspended. AFSCME has repeatedly rejected all of the Administration’s core proposals that the Illinois Federation of Teachers and 17 other unions have agreed to despite our good-faith efforts to address the union’s concerns. Nothing about the Labor Board proceedings prevents AFSCME from proposing a framework similar to those offered by these 18 other unions. AFSCME’s unwillingness to move off their last, best and final offer of more than $3 billion in financial demands is what is causing the impasse.
*** UPDATE *** From AFSCME Council 31…
Since Governor Rauner has now reiterated his refusal to negotiate, and the legislators wrote that “the stalemate will continue to hurt all interested parties”, then the lawmakers in question should join the Illinois labor movement and the strong majorities of their constituents in supporting a renewed motion to override the governor’s veto of HB 580, the fair arbitration bill, before the General Assembly adjourns. This well-established and impartial procedure appears to be the only way to ensure that the governor can no longer hold hostage the people of Illinois, the public services they rely on, and the men and women who provide those services every day.
Like so much else emanating from the Governor’s office these days, its latest statement is rife with falsehoods:
· AFSCME has never made a “last, best and final” offer. In fact, we stated clearly at the bargaining table when the Rauner Administration broke off negotiations back in January that our current proposal is NOT our last, best and final offer—and we repeated in subsequent conversations and correspondence that we were prepared to continue to negotiate.
· Contrary to the administration’s wildly exaggerated claims, AFSCME’s current proposal does not equal anything close to $3 billion dollars in “financial demands”. And as stated, if the governor would join us at the table, AFSCME is prepared to continue to negotiate.
· It is not true that 17 other unions have agreed to the “core proposals” in the Administration’s offer to AFSCME. Members of those unions will have the opportunity to receive pay raises or improved health care benefits, while the governor is seeking to force AFSCME members to accept both a pay freeze and doubled health care costs.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:31 pm
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Now call HB 580 for another vote on Sunday.
Comment by One of Three Puppets Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:37 pm
Mr. No has spoken.
Comment by Elementary Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Know your place, GOP legislators. When the Governor wants your opinion, he will give it to you.
Comment by Ole' Nelson Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:38 pm
“AFSCME’s unwillingness to move off their last, best and final offer of more than $3 billion in financial demands is what is causing the impasse.”
We have never offered “last best final.” Ever.
Plus what those 18 others agreed to isn’t what we were offered. Period.
Why would we propose a framework that makes it easier to outsource our own jobs?
Ask the nurses how fair your proposals were…
Comment by steward Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:39 pm
Dear “The 7″,
You won’t revolt, which is your choice and that’s fine, but you sent a letter that now is seemingly mocked by both sides.
Feel… better?
When you again vote against Labor, and you will, don’t be surprised when voters in your district…Vote Accordingly.
Dear Labor,
If you count this as “The 7″ sticking up for you and being rebuffed, make sure when you exit the theatre you leave quietly.
It’s a Friday of a Holiday weekend, this was fun. I guess.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:41 pm
“Everyone is Entitled to My Opinion”
An Autobiography. By Bruce Rauner
Comment by Saluki Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:41 pm
Sigh…
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:41 pm
Not exactly what I’m hearing. More like the Gov’s team is saying no to every AFSCME proposal.
And right now AFSCME has more credibility than Rauner …
Comment by RNUG Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:42 pm
Rauner: You don’t need labor’s support. You have my millions. No!
Comment by Wensicia Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:43 pm
AFSCME never offered their last, best, final offer.
Rauner did.
Rauner quit negotiating — not AFSCME.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:43 pm
I don’t think the override can be attempted again can it?
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:44 pm
It can be. Rep. Welch already filed the request again today. So, call the question again and see where people stand yet again.
Comment by One of Three Puppets Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:46 pm
Obviously you cannot reverse course once you have taken it to the Illinois Labor Relations Board and asked them to determine if there is an impasse.
Re-starting formal talks would mean there is no impasse. This isn’t a surprise to anyone.
Personally, I hope he gives it an informal shot by bringing in some of the Dems on the health care issue and allowing some casual, informal talks between the GOP, those Dems and AFSCME. Possibly over a few beers. See if it gets them anywhere.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:47 pm
At least he’s consistent… he never lets the truth affect his propaganda machine.
Comment by Pelonski Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:49 pm
Kudos to those 7 for writing that letter.
You do not know if you do not ask.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:50 pm
“We are never going to give up on my ideas for change.” That says everything. The rest is still preening and posturing.
Comment by jwscott72 Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:50 pm
“Rauner: No”
Well, this was unexpected. /s
Comment by Huh? Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:51 pm
=call the question again and see where people stand yet again.=
If Madigan didn’t do that on SB 1229 after Dunkin’s absence, I don’t see that happening on round 2 either.
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:52 pm
Call the override again.
And GOP folks, tell your “I’ll take the slings and arrows” governor that’s he’s not a man of his word.
He’s a coward when it comes to negotiating.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:53 pm
==Mr. No==
Was the speaker mentioned somewhere?
The governor just said =yes= to a deal with Rep Lang today. He has also said =yes= to 18 other labor deals.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:53 pm
I’m actually a lil embarrassed for “The 7″…
Either they think they can fool AFSCME and Labor…
They thought they could play both sides and both sides kinda rebuffed them…
Or they were just props in a two act play where both acts had the parties rebuff them… but Rauner and “The 7″ laugh at everyone else.
I’m still confused why you do this… now?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 27, 16 @ 4:56 pm
The only upside to this is that I’m spared the shock of Rauner doing something unexpected. I’m hoping there’s a revote on HB580 just to reinforce where folks stand, and to remind unions who stands with them.
Comment by AC Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:00 pm
==I’m still confused why you do this… now?==
Did they really underestimate AFSCME and expect them to happily join the 7 as though they were legitimately allies?
Comment by AC Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:03 pm
Vote accordingly.
Comment by Norseman Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:05 pm
Whether they meant to or not the 7 just did AFSCME a favor and are making the Gov look unreasonable.
Comment by burbanite Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:10 pm
Not sure of the “7’s” motive here. Several of them know their polling numbers are upside down and their attachment to Rauner is dragging them. If this was an attempt to right the ship and stop the bleeding in their polling numbers, it failed.
Comment by Tough Guy Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:12 pm
Pure theatre !
Comment by Railrat Friday, May 27, 16 @ 5:12 pm
No one truly believes these 7 republican reps. But I do look forward to voting get against them!
Comment by WhoElse Sunday, May 29, 16 @ 11:24 am