* From the governor’s office…
Good Morning, Rich!
The following communities have passed the resolution:
Lincolnshire
Watseka
Iroquois County
In addition, the Naperville Chamber of Commerce and the Naperville Development Partnership also passed the resolution.
Best,
ck
* No local updates appear on the Illinois AFL-CIO’s Facebook page today, but there is this…
* Meanwhile, Greg Hinz talked to DCEO Director Jim Schultz…
(T)he DCEO [private development agency] plan is part of Rauner’s wider agenda to reform tort law, cut back on workers’ compensation insurance and aid to the unemployed, allow local communities to ban union shops, and reduce the power of public-sector unions.
Asked what ranks highest on that list, Schultz replied: “All of it. There’s no rank order.” Pushed a bit, he seemed to suggest that the privatization idea is his personal priority, but termed the other items “all the same.”
More than 1,100 companies “blacklist” Illinois because it has no right-to-work law, Schultz said, declining to name any of the 1,100.
I’d like to see that list, but it’s true that some manufacturers won’t consider locating to a non-RTW state…
In a move that’s surprising to some, Volvo recently announced that it’s establishing a new factory outside of Charleston. The Swedes are following the growing trend of foreign automakers setting up shop in the South, making it a growing manufacturing center in the U.S.
The new Volvo facility will cost about $500 million to build. When the factory is finally operational, it will roll out about 100,000 vehicles annually and employ about 4,000 people in the area. Ground is set to be broken in the fall, with the first wave of vehicles expected to roll off the assembly line in 2018. […]
The new Volvo factory will build vehicles for the North American market, plus other areas of the world. Many manufacturers have been drawn to the South because of right-to-work laws that have diminished the power of labor unions.
* I think AFSCME is going to have a real problem with this issue during negotiations…
A coalition of state and national business groups hopes to deliver a death blow to organized labor in Louisiana, pushing an anti-union bill that would ban automatically deducting membership dues from the paychecks of government workers. Unionized firefighters, police officers and teachers would be among those affected.
*** UPDATE *** Tom Kacich…
While Gov. Bruce Rauner is urging local governments to establish local “right to work zones,” where workers wouldn’t have to join a union and pay dues as a condition of employment, the Champaign County Board is looking into a new level of cooperation with labor unions on construction projects.
The concept — called a “local economic growth initiative tripartite” — is scheduled to be discussed at a county board committee of the whole meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the Brookens Administrative Center. […]
(T)wo county board Democrats who are promoting the agreement say it’s meant to benefit the county, which is facing several million dollars’ worth of construction programs in the future.
Urbana Democrat James Quisenberry said the initiative — which involves the county, contractors and unions on projects of over $100,000 — builds on existing agreements.
“In a project labor agreement, you not only commit to the prevailing wage and working with the local trades on a project, but they turn around and give you assurances against work stoppages and strikes,” Quisenberry said. “This is going to come off as a response to Rauner and ‘the turnaround agenda’ because that’s about right to work and getting out of collective bargaining arrangements, and this is about committing more to those, but I think it’s a reality of our county that we tend to be more supportive of labor.”
- D.P.Gumby - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:24 pm:
I wouldn’t want a company that won’t locate because of right-to-work. Wouldn’t expect them to be a very good corporate citizen.
- NewWestSuburbanGOP'er - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:25 pm:
n addition, the Naperville Chamber of Commerce and the Naperville Development Partnership also passed the resolution.
Why do we care about the Naperville CoC and Naperville Development? Is Rauner going for non-governmental agencies now?
- Chicago Guy - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:36 pm:
It is worth noting that Volvo is now owned by a Chinese company so it is less surprising that they want to build a plant in a RTW state.
- Big Muddy - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
@NWSGOP’r,
This is all about economic development too. All organizations that want an improving economy should be on board with this.
- the Patriot - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
2 thinks have to happen for work comp reform to even be discussed. 1. The 20% in cost savings have to be sent to employers. Right now the insurance companies are reaping massive benefits of the 2011 amendments and the employers are not getting the savings. This does nothing to create jobs.
2. The Attorney General has to do her job. the conversation in 2011 was started on allegations of widespread fraud. If Rauner wants to have this conversation, he needs to go after the AG.
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
Watseka!? That really changes the conversation. I also notice that CK changed up the format a little today. Noticing things like that show what an exercise in futility this really is for the governor’s office. Someone should tell them the story of Sisyphus.
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
The demand for European companies to open manufacturing facilities in the US is incredible right now. European energy intensive industries are at extreme disadvantages to the US because of the horribly misguided policies of nations like Germany to triple the cost of energy to subsidize unviable “green” technologies and dump their nuclear programs.
France’s ridiculous taxation policies on the successful are driving away the movers and shakers, and the US with its diverse climactic conditions is very attractive.
Of course most hard working Greeks and Southern Italians left Europe long ago for the US, but now manufacturers are looking long and hard at the move.
The only things the US has to clean up to re-industrialize is some non-health related environmental regulatory policies, corporate tax structure, and dismantling (or bypassing through vouchers) the overpriced, underperforming K-12 system in the US, and destructive, confrontational union treatment promoted by the US government. If the Germans could bring their “apprenticeship” system and integrate it into our public education systems, it would be a boon to young people and give them a choice between profitable work and wasting their time going to college for “general studies” that will make them largely unemployable.
unfortunately, I expect the narrow trial lawyer, government entitlement, union and public bureaucracy systems will obstinately kill this opportunity.
- Get a Job! - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:49 pm:
=Why do we care about the Naperville CoC and Naperville Development? Is Rauner going for non-governmental agencies now?=
ck & Rauner are grasping for whatever victories they can point to.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
=== I think AFSCME is going to have a real problem with this issue during negotiations… ===
Understatement times 5. I don’t see any contract being done in the near future. I just don’t know the legalities as to what that means, i.e. does previous terms continue or can Rauner unilaterally impose work rules/salary/etc.
- Former Downstater - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:53 pm:
“Of course most hard working Greeks and Southern Italians left Europe long ago for the US…”
Okay…
- Minnow - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 12:53 pm:
It’s a shame that while Corporate America is pushing an agenda for a race to the bottom for workers, they are doing all they can to be # 1 in a race to the top. (ex.CEO for CAT earned 17 million last year.) I just don’t understand this kind of greed. Shameful
- Anonin' - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:03 pm:
here is an incredibly bold journalistic idea….how about a FOIA request for the document mentioned by ole Schuztey…we think it can go via email!
- MrJM - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
Still no word on whether the resolution passed the Naperville Baseball Association or the DuPage Birding Club?
– MrJM
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:07 pm:
Yeah, Volvo’s not really run by the “Swedes” anymore.
AB, that is quite a big blanket of ethnic stereotyping. Any other groups you can fill us in on in regards to work ethic? I’m betting you have a few.
- A guy - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:08 pm:
DuPage Birding Club?
They’ll tweet the results.
- zonz - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:15 pm:
it just don’t get better than this:
====- A guy - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:08 pm:
DuPage Birding Club?
They’ll tweet the results.=====
- Grandson of Man - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:18 pm:
“It is worth noting that Volvo is now owned by a Chinese company.”
I did not know this. I was going to say that it’s hypocritical for Swedes to locate to right to work states when Sweden’s unionization rate was recently almost 70%.
In other developments, UAW reports having 55% support and is currently in negotiations with VW to unionize the plant in Tennessee. That VW plant is the only one in the world without a “works council,” a group of management and labor officials that involves unions to negotiatiate over wages.
Plus, I read that in Tennessee, there were many temp workers in the auto industry, and many title loan places, which is not good.
I’ve done analyses of the following economic criteria: median household income, per capita income, percent of workers earning at or below minimum wage, percent without health insurance, unionization rates, current unemployment rates and last 12 months unemployment rates. Full union states score better than right to work states. North Carolina was at or near the bottom of those states. I didn’t check South Carolina, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it too was near the bottom.
Stripping fair share fees for public unions is a non-starter among many with whom I spoke. If Rauner wants to continue to go there, then there we’ll be. We have to make a statement for organized labor in this age of extreme income inequality.
- Anon - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:23 pm:
Kane County-Fifth Largest Illinois County- Pop 525,000 passed a “Resolution to Support Reform in Springfield” today that included this wording;
WHEREAS, with regard to disputed issues, Kane County has found it has been most successful when affected parties are identified and then vested as partners with each gaining something and each giving up something and all participants credited with successfully negotiating a solution, as in our regular salary and benefits discussion with our union and non-union personnel;
It sure sounds like support for collective bargaining to me.
- Tibicen - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
Norseman - If no new contract is agreed to by June 30 (the end of the current contract) the two sides can agree to extend the current contract during continuing negotiations, can let the current contract lapse (which would allow most of the provisions of the current contract to continue during negotiations), or either side can declare an impasse. If management declares an impasse, they have up to 30 days to impose their final offer as the active work rules and salary. The union can either accept the imposed rules and salary or they can vote to strike. The union would only be expected to declare an impasse if the membership had already voted to strike. This is a rough overview of a very complex process. For the State of Illinois, one of the benefits of extending the old contract is that there is a “no strike” clause that guarantees no work stoppage while progress is being made.
During the most recent contract negotiations, the contract was extended several times before Governor Quinn inexplicably decided not to extend it in November. By the beginning of the year AFSCME had begun the complex strike preparations. An agreement was reached in March.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
There are other ways to attract business by lowering wages. No matter what people say the evidence is clear that RTW states have lower average wages than non-RTW states.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
“other than lowering wages” is what I meant to say
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:24 pm:
European trade unions have had a lot of power in the past. Worker benefits in Europe such as lengthy vacations and family leave are the rule. European companies may perceive our unions have similar power. Of course the RTW states play to those fears to get the factories.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:28 pm:
Volvo selected South Carolina for other reasons than just wages.
- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
- Tibicen -;
So, Rauner could force a strike just by declaring an impasse and offering ridiculous terms?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:40 pm:
===Rauner could force a strike just by declaring an impasse and offering ridiculous terms?===
Impasse declarations go to an arbiter.
- Norseman - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:43 pm:
Thanks Tibicen.
Based upon this process, it looks like Rauner can take the union to a strike and then try and take advantage of the bad publicity the union will get.
- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 1:59 pm:
Ok, now I’m very confused. If impasse declarations go to an arbiter, how does Rauner force a strike? Sorry for the ignorance.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
-does previous terms continue or can Rauner unilaterally impose work rules/salary/etc.-
I was assured by my locals’ president and negotiator that they’ve got a million tricks to avoid impasse. As to not collecting the union dues from paychecks. AFSCME31 has been warning that it may happen. Not sure how it would but that’s why the steward network/relationships are being beefed up. Frankly with Rauner constantly poking the union badger I think that even if he took away direct withdrawal the unions would be just fine. Frankly had he just played nice with the unions, tough but fair, then tried the direct withdrawal trick then he would have destroyed us easily. Why pay union dues when there is no threat? Man, I can’t get the union gear (shirts, bumper stickers, yard signs, etc.) to our people fast enough. They see the threat and are locking together. SOLIDARITY!
- Deep South - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
“Of course most hard working Greeks and Southern Italians left Europe long ago for the US…”
Only the lazy remain?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
Does anyone elect a Chamber of Commerce? So why is listing the Naperville Chamber of Commerce’s approval of the RTW resolution something we should note?
- Precinct Captain - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:10 pm:
THe language can be confusing. Rauner cannot force a strike per se, but he can provoke the union into striking.
- kimocat - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:10 pm:
Hey Arizona Bob — in addition to the support for young workers going into trades in Germany they also recognize workers in their Councils that sit on actual Boards of Directors — labor has a big seat at their table. And, if I recall correctly, not too long ago the local organizers tried to unionize the Tennessee plant with the complete support of the German owners, but local GOP pols put the kibash to it by threatening workers. There is a lot of undeserved sympathy for the oligarchs from folks like you, who apparently think the way to happiness is full employment at poverty level wages with no power to change anything or support politicians that might care a little about the average working stiff.
- foster brooks - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:15 pm:
There are a couple companies in wisconsin that stated they would not expand or relocate because of right to work. Rock road was one.
- zonz - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
I worry (that I find this so revealing) about the BRU-CREW:
……………
- Honeybear - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
-does previous terms continue or can Rauner unilaterally impose work rules/salary/etc.-
I was assured by my locals’ president and negotiator that they’ve got a million tricks to avoid impasse. As to not collecting the union dues from paychecks. AFSCME31 has been warning that it may happen. Not sure how it would but that’s why the steward network/relationships are being beefed up. Frankly with Rauner constantly poking the union badger I think that even if he took away direct withdrawal the unions would be just fine. Frankly had he just played nice with the unions, tough but fair, then tried the direct withdrawal trick then he would have destroyed us easily. Why pay union dues when there is no threat? Man, I can’t get the union gear (shirts, bumper stickers, yard signs, etc.) to our people fast enough. They see the threat and are locking together. SOLIDARITY!
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:34 pm:
kimocat, I think having labor at the management table is a good idea (surprise!) but you need to end the adversarial labor culture first. If all at the table can work together for the prosperity of the institution, it works out. the problem is that with so much “venture capital/junk bond/quick flip” management mentality these days, few are thinking long term. Labor wants what they want regardless of market conditions or the health of the company and its investors that made it go. If you find out to set up that kind of partnership, let me know.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
Zonz, not sure what you meant?
- Springfieldish - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:54 pm:
Has anyone even checked on this presumption that Volvo’s placement of this plant had anything whatsoever to do with RTW? If you look at its press releases, the planned output is greater than their US sales, and, sorry, but Volvo isn’t relying on a sales surge. Carolina is a perfect place for RO-RO shipping.
- DHSJim - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
If State Workers go on strike, Rauner will be blamed, not the workers. The Governor is not making any friends. When even the Civic Federation is against you, you have problems. And then there’s that “First Lay off all state workers” op-ed in the Trib - a gift to Roberta Lynch and the aafscme pr machine.
- Anon - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 3:41 pm:
Springfieldish: The Volvo RFP was only sent to RTW states. Illinois didn’t even get a crack at it.
Jim Shultz is right - there are a huge number of companies that won’t even let non-RTW states bid on project RFPs. The big Yokohama deal set to open in Mississippi this year is another example.
Companies will never announce this as policy (what would they gain by doing so?), but you can tell when Illinois and other non-RTW states magically get removed from the RFP distribution list right off the bat.
-An Illinois economic developer
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 3:44 pm:
Correct, Springfieldish. This plant is here to ramp up production of a redesigned product line and a great deal of the output will be shipped from the modern Port of Charleston.
I think this had more to do with the siting than RTW.
VW in Tennessee was, I believe, also much more complicated than one issue, but I’m blogging from the phone and can’t efficiently research.
AB, thank you so much for not profiling my ancestors. I really would not want to get banned here because of you.
- Bill White - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 4:15 pm:
@DHSJim
This is an excellent point:
= = = Then there’s that “First Lay off all state workers” op-ed in the Trib - a gift to Roberta Lynch and the AFSCME PR machine. = = =
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 4:42 pm:
“An Illinois Economic Developer,” Mississippi has always been right to work. How’s that worked out for them?
- walker - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 4:58 pm:
In this context, “Right To Work” obviously stands for “non-union,” and has nothing to do with “personal liberty” at all.
Just saying.
- zonz - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 5:05 pm:
Honeybear -
Sorry to have been vague.
I find this to be the case: consistent, blatant slow-wittedness in decision-making by the BRU-CREW.
Your anecdote is a perfect example. It’s very clear they have trouble foreseeing the consequences of their decisions.
They also suffer from “epistemic closure,” the closed information loop. And also suffer from a resolute belief in their own BS. (The latter is obviously very common among pols.)
Put these things together and it is very dangerous, and worries me greatly.
On “epistemic closure,” see, e.g.,
Oct. 2013 - How Tea Party Spin May Set Up the Next Shut Down http://billmoyers.com/2013/10/18/the-rights-closed-information-loop-may-set-up-the-next-shut-down/
Jan. 2011 - THE DANGERS OF EPISTEMIC CLOSURE www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2011_01/027553.php
Apr. 2010 - The Great Epistemic Closure Debate www.newrepublic.com/blog/jonathan-chait/the-great-epistemic-closure-debate
………..
- Honeybear - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
Zonz, not sure what you meant?
- Raunerbot - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 9:09 pm:
This is what decades of incompetent and corrupt liberals/progressives/socialists (Democrats) and their thug unions have done to this once proud city. Our state of Illinois is controlled by them…and it suffers from the same catastrophe.
http://www.cnbc.com/id/102650351
- Raunerbot - Tuesday, May 12, 15 @ 9:10 pm:
No bailout for Chicago.