The Illinois AFL-CIO and 26 unions that represent more than 40,000 Illinois state employees today filed suit in circuit court to invalidate Gov. Bruce Rauner’s unlawful executive order that violates state law and multiple collective bargaining agreements by blocking state agencies from complying with the fair share provisions of those agreements.
“The men and women who do the real work of state government are first responders, nurses, caregivers and corrections officers. They plow snow, protect children, care for veterans and do many other tough, essential jobs that benefit all Illinois residents,” Illinois AFL-CIO president Michael T. Carrigan said. “Governor Rauner’s political obsession with stripping their rights and driving down their wages demeans their service, hurts the middle class and is blatantly illegal. We’re asking the court to restore the integrity of our democratic process and make clear that no one, not Governor Rauner or anyone else, can place themselves above the law.”
The court filings follow earlier statements from Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger, a Republican, and Attorney General Lisa Madigan, a Democrat, who say that Gov. Rauner’s order is illegal. Fair share agreements are authorized by the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act—which was signed into law by Republican Gov. Jim Thompson in 1983—and included in each of the state’s contracts with each of the unions in question.
The unions’ Circuit Court complaint says the Governor’s order violates state government’s separation of powers. “Rauner has usurped the constitutional power of the legislative branch by promulgating an Executive Order that effectively repeals a duly passed Public Act [and] has unlawfully exercised the executive power vested in the Governor,” the litigation states. “The executive power is the power to faithfully execute the laws enacted through the legislative process, not to refuse to implement the laws that have been properly enacted by the State.”
Gov. Rauner has falsely claimed that his order makes workers more “free.” In reality, contrary to the governor’s frequent misstatements, no employee is required to join any union. Instead, fair share agreements provide that a union-represented employee who chooses not to join and pay dues is obligated only to pay a proportional fair share of the cost of negotiating and administering the union contract from which they benefit. (Also contrary to the governor’s statements, by law, fair share excludes political contributions.)
The governor’s own rhetoric and the language of the executive order itself make clear that his true intent is to drive down the wages earned by first responders, teachers, nurses, corrections officers, child protection workers, and other state employees by weakening their unions.
“Governor Bruce Rauner believes state employees are overpaid and receive excessive benefits for their public service. He wants to cut their wages and benefits,” the lawsuit states. “The Executive Order is expressly intended to prevent ‘Illinois state employee unions’ from ‘using … fair share fees to … influence …wages, pensions and benefits, that are currently mandatory subjects of collective bargaining under the Illinois Labor Act.”
Later Thursday the unions will file a motion to dismiss Gov. Rauner’s related lawsuit in federal court, pointing out that a state court is the appropriate venue to enforce state law.
In addition to the Illinois AFL-CIO, the 26 unions that are party to the legal filings include affiliates of AFSCME, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Nurses Association, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Teamsters, SEIU, the Laborers, the Police Benevolent and Protective Association, the Bakery Workers, the Bricklayers, the Carpenters, the Electrical Workers, the Food and Commercial Workers, the Machinists, the Operating Engineers, the Painters, the Plumbers and the Metropolitan Alliance of Police.
- Reality Check - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
Whether you’re a D or R, union member or no, you should root for the AFL-CIO to prevail. If Rauner is allowed to ignore the law, we have indeed elected a king.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
Welp, congratulations Governor Rauner,
Litigation. Litigation for the sake of busting unions, when you aren’t against unions, but you are, but you…whatever.
Ugh.
- Anonin' - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:52 pm:
Hey have paychecks been issued since this folly began? Did Munger take the fair share out?
- Former Merit Comp Slave - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:53 pm:
Undoubtedly the first of many. All the union lawyers have sharpened all their pencils for law school level, simple litigation.
- RNUG - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
Rauner is well on his way to making my prediction about lawsuit defense spending his first year a reality …
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
===Rauner is well on his way to making my prediction about lawsuit defense spending his first year a reality …===
I was “hoping” you’d be wrong, but, Rauner’s insistence on “things” like this makes your prediction seem more prophetic than just prediction
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:09 pm:
Anonin’ - yes, my wife’s fair share dues have been withheld both times since Governor Rauner signed his executive order.
- AC - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
Vendors who do business with the state probably don’t want the state to make unilateral changes to signed contracts either. There are so many different ways Rauner could have furthered his agenda, but he seems determined to choose the least successful alternative.
- Norseman - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:14 pm:
Just like Blago we are on our way to spend a lot of taxpayer dollars on defending political actions by the governor.
P.S. Except for some anecdotal comments from some folks that fair share was still taken out, has anything been written that his “work-around” was implemented or not?
- Rufus - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
Ryan broke the Law, Blago broke the Law, Quinn Broke the law (twice) and now Rauner breaks the law. …Gotta love Illinois.
- New Guy - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:21 pm:
Yes, Fair Share dues are still being deducted from paychecks but where are they going, escrow or Afscme? The only way to know would be an inside connection with an agencies fiscal/payroll/IT section or Afscme’s tax id number to run against the IOC database.
- DuPage - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
There goes a bunch of wastin’ of state money defendin’ Rauner’s actions. This is money that otherwise could be goin’ into fundin’ the child care.
- mythoughtis - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
When this subject was first discussed, it was implied that the fair share dues all went to political activities, and that it shouldn’t happen. Most people knew none of the fair share dues went to political activities.
The new quote says ‘forced union dues’, without discussing the supposed political activities. That implies they know very well that the fair share dues are union dues to compensate the union for their effort…. not political activities. Which then implies that they want to encourage people not to join the union.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
Shorter Trover: “We strenuously object!”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
===“We always expected the government union bosses to fight to keep their stranglehold over Illinois taxpayers in place. These forced union dues are a critical cog in the corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers, and the government unions will do anything to keep the broken status quo.”===
So…you know about the lawsuit?
- Norseman - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
Gov talking head responds as expected. Curious minds want to know if they have a macro on their word processing system to quickly spit out the words: union bosses; corrupt; stranglehold; crushing taxpayers …
- The Captain - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
“We always expected the government union bosses to fight to keep their stranglehold over Illinois taxpayers in place. These forced union dues are a critical cog in the corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers, and the government unions will do anything to keep the broken status quo.”
BINGO! I got a bingo! Woo-hoo! What a Thursday, bingo baby.
For the record my bingo squares were “union bosses”, “taxpayers”, free square, “corrupt” and “status quo”.
- Out Here In The Middle - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
“These forced union dues are a critical cog in the corrupt bargain that” . . . prevents the Governor from bullying these workers individually to reduce their retirement benefits!
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:43 pm:
So the press office is already just playing madlibs.
- AC - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:44 pm:
More abuse of the English language. Cuts or reductions are now called reform. Defraying the costs associated with representation is now called stranglehold. I’m not sure if enforcement of a contract is now known as corrupt bargain or if contracts are now known as status quo. Either way calling it what it is doesn’t help the argument when you’re on the losing side. It’s very 1984.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:46 pm:
His rhetoric is getting old. If he is mad at the “corrupt” union bosses then why doesn’t he specifically go after them. Not the hard working members. Is there a way he could legally propose legislation that would limit the union bosses compensation, limit the amount of collected dues the union can use to fund politicians campaigns and also force the union to set aside a large portion of collected dues for strike pay, health insurance subsidies and other benefits?
- The Captain - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:50 pm:
@Archpundit
I’m not entirely sure these guys can govern but I think they’d be pretty good at $25,000 Pyramid. Can the Game Show Network get Illinois out of the red?
- Archiesmom - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:50 pm:
Lance Trover, Master of Hyperbole, Office of the Governor…
- TGS - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
A book should be made of Rauner communication responses. Hilarious. Even if you don’t like him, you must amniwledge his “i dont give a damn” responses.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
There aren’t a whole lot of fair share employees. If fair share dues are a “critical cog” then I wonder what actual full-dues paying members are?
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
There are times when union leadership is acting in their own interests.
But in this case, they are acting in the interests of organized labor.
Calling them “union bosses” is just a propaganda construct. It’s insulting to the intelligence of people who understand what’s going on.
- Anonymiss - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
C’mon, Trover. You’re better than this. What, did you just press the union boss button on the talking point machine, and this came out? Methinks you’ve been in DC too long.
- vole - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 3:58 pm:
Jeez, the rhetoric from Rauner would have fit perfectly into the mouths of the gilded age industrial oligarchs one hundred years ago. Hard talk and hardened positions.
- AC - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
==Master of Hyperbole==
Almost, to truly be a Master would’ve required comparisons between organized labor and ISIS. There’s still time.
- Joe M - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
In its response, Rauner’s Office conveniently failed to address that the State Attorney General and the GOP Comptroller also have said that his EO is illegal. He would rather make it look like only government union bosses are challenging his EO.
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:04 pm:
===I’m not entirely sure these guys can govern but I think they’d be pretty good at $25,000 Pyramid. Can the Game Show Network get Illinois out of the red?
I just imagine the whole staff showing up in crisp new Carhartt jackets
- D.P.Gumby - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:10 pm:
Isn’t it Brucie who was condemning litigation etc, etc.
- Jocko - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:21 pm:
Just to be clear, Lance is making 46K more than his immediate predecessor and yet he’s accusing others of making “…a corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers.”
corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers
- Jocko - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
Last sentence should read
“Corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers indeed.”
- 340 East - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
I would like to thank Bruce Rauner ahead of time for making 2016 the best year for Illinois Democrats since 2008.
- Anon - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:24 pm:
Can he please use his own $20M to pay for lawsuits he incites?
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:26 pm:
==These forced union dues are a critical cog in the corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers==
Rauner would rather spin lies in his war against the unions than govern. It also seems he would prefer to increase the debt with his illegal actions and the resulting litigation. So, who’s increasing the burden on taxpayers here?
- Casual Observer - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
Does the AG have to defend this lawsuit? That would be…awkward.
- Served - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
That response from the Governor’s office could be a caption on an early 1900s political cartoon. Good grief.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:32 pm:
-Which then implies that they want to encourage people not to join the union.-
Well as with everything this Gov. tries, it produced the exact opposite result. Union full membership is skyrocketing!
- Central Scrutinizer - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:34 pm:
I’d like to know where the fair share fees are going too. We know they’re being deducted but are they going to the union or the super-secret mystery accounts?
- Qui Tam - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:42 pm:
=Does the AG have to defend this lawsuit? That would be…awkward. =
Not awkward, just repugnant.
The AG perceives a big part of its work to defend and support illegal executive branch (agencies) actions against workers.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:43 pm:
Central:
“And Leslie Munger, the Republican comptroller Rauner appointed, announced that she would not enforce the governor’s order.” Makes it sound to me like the money is going where it has always gone.
- ChiTownSeven - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:43 pm:
Hey, Lance: you forgot “cigar-chomping” and “crippling our economy.” If you want, I can send you the phrase-book that Ty and the Tribbies are using.
- Cable Line Beer Gardener - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:45 pm:
Union members faithfully paid into the pension fund without complaint, yet the Governor is blaming them for budget shortfall. It is so sad that he thinks so little of his constituents.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:50 pm:
The money is being witheld from employee checks and not being remitted to the Unions. It sits in its bucket at the Agency. The money will lapse on August 15 and become a liablity for the agency that illegally held onto it.
- Ghost - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:53 pm:
we knew this before. “And I said to myself, this is the [governor] we’ve chosen; I didn’t ask who gave the order [to end fair share], because it had nothing to do with business!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:54 pm:
I probably would have recommended a more conciliatory tone, but to each his own.
The governor is choosing his words very carefully, so they must have a purpose, although it isn’t clear what that purpose is exactly.
Maybe he is hoping for gridlock. There are atleast a few who believe that a government shutdown would be a victory for Rauner, IF he can instigate one in a way that makes Madigan look responsible.
The problem with that strategy is I don’t think Republicans will go along with it.
- Norseman - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
Central Scrutinizer, Faux Communications Director Lancelot Trover said that the corrupt union money is being decorruptified by filtering it through the Governor’s slush fund. The decorrupted money will be used to empower campaign freedom workers to protect innocent taxpayers being strangled by corrupt union bosses who have convinced corrupt legislators to ensure tax dollars are used for waste and fraud programs.
- AC - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 4:57 pm:
==I’d like to know where the fair share fees are going too==
They’re currently stuck in one of the critical cogs. The AG and the Comptroller tried to get them released from the stranglehold that the corrupt government boss had on them, but he insisted on maintaining the broken status quo. This corrupt bargain forces union taxpayers to defend portions of their contract in court that would be better spend defending both members and fair share taxpayers.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:00 pm:
In the midst of the breathless hyperbole on both sides of this issue, it seems like facts get skipped past. The press release states:
“In reality, contrary to the governor’s frequent misstatements, no employee is required to join any union. Instead, fair share agreements provide that a union-represented employee who chooses not to join and pay dues is obligated only to pay a proportional fair share of the cost of negotiating and administering the union contract from which they benefit.”
I’ve seen elsewhere that the “proportional fair share” is 100 percent. Is that true? If so, how can that statement be any more reasonable than Rauner’s opposing claims?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:02 pm:
Union bosses are elected like my governor is ,they are not wise guys from new jersey.
- Central Scrutinizer - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:04 pm:
Well, If Anon @ 4:50 is correct it appears BVR would rather see the money flushed down the toilet on August 15 unless this gets straightened out first. Nice.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:06 pm:
==I’ve seen elsewhere that the “proportional fair share” is 100 percent. Is that true? If so, how can that statement be any more reasonable than Rauner’s opposing claims?==
Because these dues, 100% or fair share, are not used to fund political activities. That is collected under a separate deduction from union members who VOLUNTEER to fund union political actions.
- AC - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:06 pm:
==I’ve seen elsewhere that the “proportional fair share” is 100 percent. Is that true?==
Nope. Closer to 80%. Varies based on the union & the local. Unions which spend less on lobbying have fair share fees that are closer to what full members pay & vice versa.
- Johnnie F. - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:10 pm:
Tell me again how Rauner wasn’t invited on stage at the Pullman Historic Site. Seems like a more appropriate action with each passing day.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:16 pm:
Geez, Lance Trover… you sure you want to be the mouthpiece for this nasty, kid?
Dude, Mike Lawrence says you’re the goods. That’s a big deal. You’ve got options. Think Mike, not Bruce.
Rauner can crash and burn with this, and it’s no skin off his tukkus. He can retreat behind the moat on Central Park West, or any other crib, and comfort himself in a big pile of money.
Seriously, do you want your first big gig to be carrying this guy’s water, shining up his malice?
Give it a think.
- Anon. - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:17 pm:
The fair share amount differs from local to local but is usually somewhere between 10-15% of the full union dues.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:22 pm:
Hmmmm…we’ve got 3 stories of what the “fair share” is.
1. It is 100% of regular union dues, and the only political contributions are union members volunteering to send additional political donations.
2. It is somewhere around 80% of the full union dues.
3. It is somewhere around 10-15% of the full union dues.
I think realistically that fair share would be around 80% of a full union deduction.
- AC - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:31 pm:
Six degrees - can’t speak for #3 but I suspect they meant to say something similar to me. That is, Fair Share in some instances is in the range of 10% -15% less than Member rates or 85% - 90%. It varies greatly from union to union.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:32 pm:
I wonder if i’ll live long enough to see Illinois elect an adult as governor again. I miss Big Jim more every day, especially when contemplating 4 or more years with this pirate.
- Annon3 - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:41 pm:
I feel this is all part of master plan to decertify the unions as it is unlikely he wil have support in the GA.
- low level - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 5:48 pm:
Govrntmt “union bosses.” Dude, Lance - you’re not on the campaign trail anymore. Get with it, son!
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 6:05 pm:
I am so happy to see this news and also expected something like this.
Rauner broke the law, end of story. He violated contracts also.
How ironic is it that Rauner’s calling unions corrupt, when many union “bosses” advocate for lawfulness, both in the courtroom and workplace? Union leaders often stress to workers to follow work rules. Rauner, on the other hand, is flagrantly breaking laws.
This is a battle that’s destined to happen, as we can see in various states anti-union bills on the move. Wisconsin will have right to work next week, per recent news.
- DuPage Dave - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 6:30 pm:
I’m sorry to say this but the whole union issue makes Rauner come unhinged. One wonders what other issues is he incapable of responding to in a rational way.
If this “escrowed” money disappears in August, as many believe, you will hear the howling all over the state.
The word that comes to mind is arrogance.
- Central Scrutinizer - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 6:35 pm:
This is going to be stressful but it will be very satisfying to see him fall on his face right out of the gate.
- Joe M - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 6:45 pm:
Is the State, as in taxpayers, paying for Rauner’s lawsuit in federal court?
Also, will the State, as in taxpayers have to pay for Rauner’s defense of his EO in the unions’ lawsuit, even though the AG has already said what Rauner is doing is illegal?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 6:49 pm:
Executive order I will bury the state bankrupt it with legal fees I will make Illinois radioactive
- AC - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 6:51 pm:
Rauner does make a very good case for why those that work for him need union representation. After all, if he is willing to violate the contract on this matter, what makes anyone think he will respect the rights of employees in other areas? What about the rights of those who wish to be represented, agree that the allowable expenses under fair share should be paid, but don’t support activities paid for by membership dues? I doubt anyone who is fair share was asked where their money should be sent.
- anonlurker - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 7:14 pm:
Glad to see this.
DD @6:30, that Rauner seems “unhinged” over this issue is an apt description. Combine that visual with Lance Trover’s response and we’ve got a comic book. Very sad.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 7:18 pm:
How smart can he be by insulting the people with guns guarding him?
- Union painter Ken - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 7:29 pm:
I hope that the actions of Gov. Ruiner get so bad that everyone in the state is affected adversely. This may actually teach people to vote. Too bad lose of us who voted against the man will suffer the same as those that stayed home.
- Jibba - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 8:00 pm:
Me: I’m bored with this governor already.
Rauner: I’m bored with this job already.
- Union painter Ken - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 8:02 pm:
Gov. Ruiner is narcissistic, he is not accustomed to being told he can’t do exactly what he wants to do. I would love to hear his rant when the AG and Comptroller both refused to do his bidding, you know he views them as his employees. I think he could be pushed to do something so blatant it would require his removal, just use the courts and the GA to thwart his every move and he will have a break down.
- Makandadawg - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 8:51 pm:
With Rauner, it is always about the money. So keep an eye the fair share dues during this little war. I am sure all the lawyers working on this case are doing just that.
- Roadypig - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 9:10 pm:
One of the problems with people who are narcissistic is their inability to accept blame for anything they do wrong (break the law as one of the first things you do as the chief executive of the state). That could explain his campaign statement “I never fail”. I know tha many on here are tired of the comparison to Blago, but Rainer’s arrogance sure does remind me of the former disaster of a governor. Someone on his legal staff surely good him the EO to stop the flow of fair share to the unions. Contracts and laws don’t matter to a CEO of a vulture capital firm. Just getting what he wants , no matter if is done legally or not . We are likely in for a very long four years if he sticks around that long. He might still be able to be an effective governor , but if he continues to ignore the constitution it’s only a remote possibility.
- Roadypig - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 9:14 pm:
“Someone on his legal staff surely told him his EO stooping the flow of fair share fees to the unions was illegal. ”
Should always proofread. Sorry.
- Long time listener - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 9:28 pm:
Did not know until I read Trover’s response that creative writing is taught in the Political Studies department at SIU. Any takers on a bet that it’s the only course he got an A in!
- Central Scrutinizer - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 9:36 pm:
In a way I’m glad he forced this losing battle and went all in.
- FIRED! up - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 10:04 pm:
When are all the Unions going to start protesting at everywhere Rauner goes, the way they did with Quinn. Come on everyone, you knew what you were getting with Gov. .01% but now you’re upset when he’s actually doing it? Where we’re you during the campaign, when it mattered?
- Union dues - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 10:19 pm:
Union dues are being with held and remitted to the unions as normal. This is true for fair share as wll as full dues.
- dr. reason a. goodwin - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 10:49 pm:
Wordslinger, your advice to Lance is spot on.
- Reformed Public Servant - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 11:09 pm:
I’m tired of it all…Oswego Willy for Governor!
(S)he is insightful and honest. I don’t know who (s)he is, or whether they have Kennedy-looks, but (s)he has a finger on the pulse of Illinois…
Sorry YDD, Norseman, SoccerMom and others, but Oswego Willy has won me over time-and-time again. I hope to meet some day and run your campaign.
Thank you above all to Rich Miller for the platform from which to watch the battle for Illinois.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 5, 15 @ 11:47 pm:
Rauner: “That stranglehold will be mine, I tell you, MINE! Bwa ha ha ha!”
- Central Scrutinizer - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:06 am:
“Gosh, I don’t know what all the fussin’ and feudin’ is about. I’m just lookin’ after you folks ‘cuz our state ain’t got a prayer unless we do some serious reinin’ in on them corrupt union folks…. Now pardon me while I enjoy this fine Bordeaux…dang it, shouldn’t oughta said that out loud.”
- heygovna - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 5:38 am:
Gov. One Percent talks about the “stranglehold” as he knows it all too well from pick pocketing the life savings of elderly people in his nursing homes where he has made his fortunes.
- Georg Sande - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 5:49 am:
The anonymous dopes (O.W., W.S., etc. ) who really think they have advice to dispense here kill me … the fact that they really think their “advice” will be heeded by decision-makers is even more hilarious.
Keep. It. Up. Please.
- Rod - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 7:06 am:
Governor Rauner’s actions against fair share payments are what could be called a probe. His team and anti-organized labor supporters are looking for weak points in what is left of the labor movement to finish them off. This is just part of an overall strategy to lower labor costs in both the public and private sector in Illinois that will continue for his entire administration.
- Will - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 7:36 am:
George, I don’t know that he heeds the advice given on this blog, but I know for fact my state rep reads this blog regularly.
- Steve O - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 7:45 am:
Illinois tenure law requires that a teacher work full time for 4 years before becoming tenured. It had been 2 years and changed roughly a decade ago thanks to failed union protection to sustain it or reduce it. The tenure law allows schools to fire any teacher with fewer than 4 years without disclosure of cause. It is commonplace for schools to issue wholesale pink slips in March each school year and may, at whim, offer to retain in August. That tenure law becomes a seminal issue because it means that teachers pay full union dues for four years and have little or no representation over the threat of job loss for any reason. Yes they are held to the terms of the contract including salary, but they are also pretty much on their own for job security over allegations that may lead to loss of job. Four years of paying union dues without full protection or defense because of a law is a problem that unions need to face. Especially when they claim to defend 40,000 members–a large percentage of which is NOT on tenure at all. The inconvenient truth is that there has been a ass exodus of older, long tenured teachers from education into retirement. Those retired teachers were replaced with young and non tenured staff. It is quite possible that more than half of the teaching staff in any given school is not on tenure but paying full union dues–not fair share dues, but full union dues.
Illinois teacher unions need to face this unfair practice to its lowest paid members who are unable to prevail in a loss of job because of tenure laws that make them easy targets for unfair firing practices.
- JS Mill - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 8:43 am:
Steve O- Sorry but your description of the 4 year tenure process and dismissal are incorrect. Year one and two no reason required for non-renewal. Probationary teachers are renewed because they have not achieved the state of continual service (tenure)years 3 and especially year 4 you must provide a reason. You may still “non-renew” but you must give a reason. They may dispute the reason and the union can press the issue, but the district can still non renew them.
“schools to issue wholesale pink slips in March” Reduction in Force (RIF) and recall rights have change substantially since PERA, although some of the intent of the law has quietly been watered down by subsequent legislation. RIF is now implemented based on 1) economic need 2)classification (area of instruction like special ed or math for example) 3) performance rating 4) within the performance rating begin with least seniority in lowest rating group (1,2,3,4). 5) anyone that is released may bump others if they released teacher is a) qualified for the position and b) has a higher performance rating. By statute teachers in Illinois have a reacall right for one calendar year unless otherwise negotiated (longer) and RIF and bumping are also subject to possible additional stipulations rules contained in the collective bargaining agreement. Therefor RIF is no longer conducted on a whim and is an absolute nightmare for all involved. If the district is facing an economic need staff reductions are not “unfair” they are one of the only ways to really reduce costs since salary and benefits account for 75% to 80% of district spending. The new process was advocated for by the IEA and the IFT.
- HappyToaster - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 8:50 am:
He’s a one termer, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he quits or is blow-torched out of office.
He’s a minority governor, the the state’s PVI is what it is, and his personality is not well suited to the office.
- Sam Weinberg - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:12 am:
Watching House of Cards last night, I was left to wonder which Captain Ahab is going to go down in flames more spectacularly: Frank Underwood with his AmWorks or Bruce Rauner with his Right to Work?
- tired - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:15 am:
Fair share dues are still being taken out of paychecks. No guidance has been sent to agencies regarding this issue, so the process has not changed, at least on an agency level. I am unsure if CMS is holding the money in escrow - we haven’t been told either way. Perhaps agencies that are not under CMS payroll are doing things differently, but at least at my agency, nothing is changing until I receive specific guidance on how to implement. As far as what the difference between full and fair dues are, it probably depends on the local, but fair averages about 80% of full dues.
- Glad one - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:26 am:
Not a fan of unions or union leadership, but Rauner is making them look really good.
- HappyToaster - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:27 am:
@ Roadypig
Not Blago. More like Rob Ford in Toronto. He’ll tank his approval to the point where the GA will have to box him in.
- Shark Sandwich - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:31 am:
Sam Weinburg-
I’ve watched all of s3 of House Of Cards, and it left me flat. It took me a little while to figure it out, but it comes down to - in Illinois - watching an executive do something pretty much on its face illegal to gin up votes or score with a constituency has left me weary. Blago: flu vaccines, drugs from Canada; Quinn: SB1 (wasn’t all him, but he signed it and sold it), legislator pay; Rauner: this fair share stunt, a few proposals like sweeping LIHEAP and so forth (too new for much more).
So Underwood doing something on those lines isn’t good fiction, it’s just too much like real life!
- Carhartt Representative - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:33 am:
=Watching House of Cards last night, I was left to wonder which Captain Ahab is going to go down in flames more spectacularly: Frank Underwood with his AmWorks or Bruce Rauner with his Right to Work?=
I think if I didn’t have to live in the state, House of Carhartts could be quality viewing.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:46 am:
“We always expected the government union bosses to fight to keep their stranglehold over Illinois taxpayers in place. These forced union dues are a critical cog in the corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers, and the government unions will do anything to keep the broken status quo.”
We always expected the church’s bosses to fight to keep their stranglehold over Illinois taxpayers in place. Their tax exemptions are a critical cog in the corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers, and churches will do anything to keep the broken status quo.
- Applecitybbq - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:46 am:
I am glad we have state rep Terri Bryant, to help Bruce Rauner stand up to the the big Union bosses. It’s time to fight all of there greed
- Applecitybbq - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:47 am:
Right to work is the right way “Terri Bryant”
- VanillaMan - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:48 am:
Unions are a social good, as are churches, fraternal organizations, marriage and education. Government leaders should encourage social goods, not condemn them for political purposes.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:48 am:
===I am glad we have state rep Terri Bryant, to help Bruce Rauner stand up to the the big Union bosses. It’s time to fight all of there greed===
Except this lawsuit, and Munger and the Attorney General think this is illegal…lol
- Corn Dog - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:51 am:
At this rate, the GA and Dear Leader Bruce will be here through both the State Fair and the DuQuoin Fair…if we have those fairs.
- Alexander Cut the Knot - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:51 am:
All those Chicago and Springfield law firms and they file in St. Clair County . . . must have the fairest courts in the State.
- JS Mill - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 9:56 am:
=I am glad we have state rep Terri Bryant, to help Bruce Rauner stand up to the the big Union bosses. It’s time to fight all of there greed =
LOL, yeah that middle class is still awful greedy! We need to trim the numbers a little more.
- Jocko - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 10:09 am:
We always expected the (large employers) to fight to keep their (generous tax breaks at the expense of) Illinois taxpayers in place. These (giveaways) are a critical cog in the corrupt bargain that is crushing taxpayers, and the (large employers) will do anything to keep the broken status quo.
See Lance, it’s that easy!
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 10:22 am:
“Unions are a social good”
Some Minnesota Republicans recognize this and are trying to lure Wisconsin businesses to Minnesota because of right to work. The Republicans say that right to work damages contractual relationships and puts the big hand of government in business.
http://m.host.madison.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/with-right-to-work-poised-to-pass-minnesota-republicans-target/article_b52e47e4-2b9e-5695-a576-c5d756a40804.html?mobile_touch=true
- The Dude Abides - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 10:26 am:
Rauner is going through the Federal court system because he wants this to end up in the SCOTUS in hopes of ending fair share nationwide. He has also said that Unions shouldn’t be allowed to contribute to political campaigns. It’s pretty clear what his ultimate agenda is.
The mega wealthy have engineered a salary structure that pays them far more than executives made just a couple of decades ago. They have frozen or reduced compensation for all others. They reward executives for such behavior as offshoring jobs, acquiring companies, then slashing payrolls and moving workers to part time without benefits whenever possible. They do all of this while moving their own wealth offshore to avoid paying their share of taxes. They have created a class of lawyers, advisers and lobbyists who earn lofty salaries for nothing more than preserving their enormous wealth.
We now have one of these mega wealthy people as Governor of our state. Rauner is doing what we should have expected him to do. He will fight minimum wage increases, the provision of affordable health care, food stamps and child care. It’s as if any dollar spent on helping the less fortunate or strengthening the middle class is one less dollar that himself and others like him can get their greedy hands on.
- Applecitybbq - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
As Terri Bryant says ” who cares about unions when I need to make my hometown the BBQ Capitol of Illinois”
- ArchPundit - Friday, Mar 6, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
===Some Minnesota Republicans recognize this and are trying to lure Wisconsin businesses to Minnesota because of right to work. The Republicans say that right to work damages contractual relationships and puts the big hand of government in business.
Gotta say I’m loving living in Minnesota.
- No Thanks - Monday, Mar 9, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
Hey, I have an idea. I want to create a law in which insurance companies have to provide coverage for everyone but you don’t have to pay premiums. We will call it right-to-insurance. No different than right-to-work.