103 Comments - slow down - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:28 am: The Rauner legacy . . . - Aldyth - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:31 am: The Department of Unintended Consequences. I’m sure this possibility wasn’t considered during those world class strategy sessions of the Rauner team. - State Employee - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:31 am: I’m one of them. - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:32 am: “I’ve been a success at everything I’ve done” — Bruce Rauner - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:33 am: I find this odd as after talking to two Union Stewards in my area, the numbers have increased for Fair-Share… Might be taking a sampling from The state of Chicago and that area. - Anonyrick - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:34 am: I also went from fair share to full dues. - The Captain - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:37 am: Zealotry, producing the opposite of the intended outcome since forever. - Mouthy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:39 am: - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:33 am: I find this odd as after talking to two Union Stewards in my area, the numbers have increased for Fair-Share… Might be taking a sampling from The state of Chicago and that area. I find it odd that two stewards would talk to you.. - AC - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:41 am: Yet again, as with employee pay, Governor Rauner is a champion of labor. /s - Salvador Dali - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:41 am: Nothing surprising about this. People doing what they perceive is in their best interest to protect their job and careers. - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:41 am: I am only full so I can vote since it is mere couple dollars difference… I can be a check and balance vote where there sometime is none… If this would have worked and fare-share would have been dropped I would change in a heartbeat… they don’t deserve my money, they don’t listen to my wants. - Tomlinson Times - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:41 am: “Everything is going as planned… Oh wait…” -Gov. Rauner - Omega Man - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:42 am: When under attack, the troops rally! Take what is currently happening to SEIU as a lesson and use it to help AFSCME become stronger! - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:46 am: Rauners first words to exec staff…”Well THAT didn’t work. Thanks a lot for Nothing!” - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:47 am: The law of unintended consequences. - Anotheretiree - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:50 am: Voting with their feet. - Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:52 am: Couple this with about 650 NIU employees petitioning to join AFSCME. Word said it best - unintended consequences. - Pete - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:53 am: Union solidarity goes from 90% to 95% while state workers paying union dues remains at 100%. - Almost the Weekend - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:54 am: Could some of these 2,000 state workers who joined the union, be worried they would be fired under the Rauner administration (exempt and double exempt positions) and unionize to keep their jobs? I find it hard to believe AFSCME was able to respond so quickly and successfully at the grass roots level. - Mason born - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:56 am: It really amazes me that this wasn’t forseen. Contract negotiations are looking horrid for employees. The gov came out of the gate with the fair share exec. Just what exactly did the so called “superstars’ expect. You prett much have taken the last 7 mo. to show the fair share folks why they should join especially if it comes to a strike most might like a vote. Way to go geniuses. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:58 am: - Allen D -, There is no “state of Chicago”. Are you now a victim of the largest economic engine of the Midwest? Pretty sad. While Union members should be “encouraged”, I still only give the Unions a 2 in 5 chance to be successful in trying to right their ship. Today, as it is, Rauner is winning. He just is. “Why?” Well, while Rauner seems to be rallying members and encouraging new membership and the education of what Rauner’s true agenda is, the herding of cats is probably the most apt way to describe organized labor in the political arena right now. Rauner will continue to have the upper hand. Not until organized labor as s whole centralize aroubd one thought, and one thought only; Rauner and the legislators he controls are looking for their time to destroy collective bargaining. That’s the core. To be able to collectively bargin for members. Rauner wants that eliminated. Public sector, trades, any and all in unions have yet to realize they are all in this situation. No one, no Union is immune. The cowardly 7 in the HGOP are counting on the balancing of appeasing their boss, and realizing their own histories and districts reflect a history of Union significance. If Local 150 let’s off those cowardly 7 in the House GOP, what “leverage” will any Union have? Rauner hasn’t forgot what he wants, it’s up to organized labor to not forget tgose that turned their back on the movement. If I’m laying money down, I’m betting on Rauner. Not because of the money or messsging, not because of candidate recruitment or Rauner’s charm and savy. I’m choising Rauner at this point to prevail because until Organized Labor (capital letters) gets, well, organized, the 40% of your membership households will bring Labor down more by voting for Rauner candidates, than by not getting organized at all. Centralizing one thought, one belief, one core fundamental through organized labor and what Rauner is trying to destroy, that is the only way, and with Dillard, then with Quinn, it’s difficult to see labor centralizing their energy, today, to be aware how powerful they can be, with one enemy to rally around. Time will tell. I’m with Local 150, but will they and all organized labor rally around collective bargaining before the talking for all just becomes idle talk. To the Post, Adding members is encouraging and important. Will they vote for Raunerite candidates next March and in November 2016? Will organized labor speak as one for the thousands? I’m not too sure. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:59 am: “I find it hard to believe AFSCME was able to respond so quickly and successfully at the grass roots level.” The chickens realized that Col. Sanders was not their friend and did not have their best interests at heart. - Salvador Dali - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:59 am: This is people seeing gravy train leaving station……or maybe a little desperation in uncertain, unpredictable times. What it is NOT is a bunch of people suddenly, at the same time, falling in love with organized labor. It is mere pragmatism. - Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:07 am: There were many reasons people switched to membership from fairshare, but one of the big ones was the way they withheld the funds which messed up paychecks. This isn’t a sign of union solidarity. There are a lot of members like Allen D who are in the union but feel they are ignored. They will only stick with the group if it is in their immediate best interest. To have true solidarity, you need members willing to sacrifice for the overall good of group. I’m not sure AFSCME has enough of those members. - RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:07 am: One of my friends in a “union” job title converted to full membership. There were fine with fair share but when it looked like the union wasn’t going to get the fair share, they decided it was better the union got the money and joined since the difference was minimal. And they knew several others who did the same thing. - Precinct Captain - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:10 am: ==- Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:41 am:== In one short post you go from being a “check and balance” to whining about not being listened to. Which is it whiz? - Grandson of Man - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:13 am: Awesome. A lot of hard work went into signing up fair share fee payers. Some I heard came forward on their own and asked to be signed up as full union members. It’s good preparation for the upcoming Friedrichs case in the USSC. I’m hoping (perhaps against hope) that Scalia votes to uphold the Abood decision, based on his comments about free ridership and limitation of free speech in the public sector. - Anon - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:18 am: “they don’t deserve my money, they don’t listen to my wants” Right, because it’s all about you all the time. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:20 am: @ - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:41 am: =I am only full so I can vote since it is mere couple dollars difference… I can be a check and balance vote where there sometime is none… If this would have worked and fare-share would have been dropped I would change in a heartbeat… they don’t deserve my money, they don’t listen to my wants.= The union does not listen to your wants. Do you want huge cuts in health care, cuts in your pension, wage freezes for as long as the eye can see. Do you want to loose seniority rights and the ability to bargain over wages and benefits etc. the union may be listening to you better then you think? I have always been fascinated why folks who don’t want to be in a union take union positions? Could the attraction to that position in any way be tight to the benefits of the union? - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:21 am: should have written “be tied”. - Shaking my head - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:21 am: With 95% membership, right to work should be a nonissue for the union. The vast majority has already chosen to join. Why not given the minority the option to choose not to pay money to the union? - Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:22 am: RNUG’s example is a very common reason people became union members. Even employees who really disagree with AFSCME leadership still understand that they provide a valuable service when it comes to contract negotiations. Contrary to Rauner’s basic assertion, they don’t want to be freeloaders. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:24 am: I have always felt a decent analogy to a joining a union position and then wanting to be fair share was moving into a nice subdivision and not wanting to join the association. I don’t agree with everything the association is doing so I don’t want to pay my share. I like the quite well kept houses and the high property values, the safety the nice pool etc. but I sure don’t like how the association does not listen to what I want. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:25 am: Should have written, “don’t want to pay my dues”. Man I need to do what Rich always says….read your posts and slow down. - Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:26 am: A small positive for the union among a large number of negatives. For Rauner, his war on fair share can take a back seat pending a decision by the US Supreme Court. - Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:26 am: These attacks on Allen D are exactly the reason union solidarity is not strong in AFSCME. You have a member who expresses concern that his issues are not being addressed, and he is attacked as a whiner. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:27 am: @ Shaking my head - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:21 am: =With 95% membership, right to work should be a nonissue for the union. The vast majority has already chosen to join. Why not given the minority the option to choose not to pay money to the union?= Because the minority are benefiting from the majority union support. - From the 'Dale to HP - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:28 am: Great work, Bruce! He’s quickly become the best labor organizer the state has seen in decades! - Thoughts Matter - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:29 am: Maybe they really liked getting the benefits of union contract negotiations and decided the Governor was going to ‘cut them out of the herd'’. No fair share required, maybe no benefit from union negotiations. You in effect become merit comp and don’t get raises for years. While your full union coworkers get raises. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:32 am: @ Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:26 am: =These attacks on Allen D are exactly the reason union solidarity is not strong in AFSCME. You have a member who expresses concern that his issues are not being addressed, and he is attacked as a whiner. = I have listened to fair share folks for 30 years and they always say something like Allen D does, but they are the first to take advantage of all the benefits of the position that the union has played a significant role in creating. I had a co- worker who was very junior and did not like the unions position on seniority. He kept complaining that why is it he has no voice in the matter. The truth is he does have voice, and his voice was drowned out. I always told him the longer he studies seniority the more he will like it. You know as the years went by he started to take a different view. It is not that AFCME does not listen to all views, it is that some views are not accepted as the best path forward. I have also found that AFSCME, in my experience, does have strong solidarity. - Shaking my head - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:33 am: @ facts Not all bargaining unit employees benefit from a union. I’ve seen first hand, how high performances are hurt. Raises and bonuses for high performing employees were lowered so that average performing employees get larger raises and bonuses. The union wants everyone to be paid the same. - walker - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:36 am: Not the mass movement toward “freedom” expected by the ideologues. - A Jack - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:37 am: I went to full share back in September when Rauner was leading in the polls. I figured the difference as an insurance premium to insure my union rights were protected in case Rauner won. I also wanted a say in any possible strike vote. Those 2,000 holdouts won’t get to vote on a strike or a new contract. - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:37 am: it is often said the democracy is a terrible way to govern, but it is the best system knows to man. I think the same could be said about union representation in state government. AFSCME is far from perfect, but try working at my position for 30 years (now happily retired) without a union. The politics were terrible and the union always balanced that out and allowed professionals to perform according to best practices and the regulations etc. There were plenty of times, I would like to have changed something about the union and certain practices etc. but oh my without it — no thanks. You don’t throw the baby out with the bath water! - Mouthy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:39 am: ==- Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:26 am: These attacks on Allen D are exactly the reason union solidarity is not strong in AFSCME. You have a member who expresses concern that his issues are not being addressed, and he is attacked as a whiner.== I had my share of whiners who always wanted the union to do this or that. I’d listen to them and say fine. Bring up the issue at the next meeting and we’ll discuss it and take a vote. I never had one person ever take me up on the offer. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:43 am: The “unions” just collectively saved all state workers, union and nonunion, $Billions with their wins over constituional issues that were legislated to steal contracted compensation and benefits from them. Keep up the good work. - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:45 am: == Facts are Stubborn Things == The union does not listen to your wants. Do you want huge cuts in health care, cuts in your pension, wage freezes for as long as the eye can see. Do you want to loose seniority rights and the ability to bargain over wages and benefits etc. the union may be listening to you better then you think? I have always been fascinated why folks who don’t want to be in a union take union positions? Could the attraction to that position in any way be tight to the benefits of the union? == I am for doing what is right, for the State and the people who live in the state… we are responsible to the taxpayers first and foremost. None of the Unions are doing them any justice by all the greedy increases time and time again far and above same sector jobs in other areas. Do I want to lose anything, no, who would, but if it takes freezing salaries, cutting pay, raising ins cost, and keeping a job while fiscally taking care of the State then I am all for it… As for why would anyone want to take a union position who doesn’t want to be in a union, well most do not know what they are in for, have no idea what it means to be in a union and what they take away from you, nor would anyone be forced to be in a union to take a job position, which is why I support Right-to-Work and always will… In Virginia, a Right-to-Work state, it works very well and if people want to be in a union they can be. Virginia does very well as a state too. This was my first union position ever and wow is it an eye opener for a conservative. That is why I stay and vote and say my piece so I can make my voice and vote count. - Federalist - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:48 am: Back in the mid ’70’s our university had a new President who immediately advocated abolishing tenure (yea, that was 40 years ago). Our campus which had been very, very anti union all of a sudden had faculty coming out of the woodwork to organize and join the AFT - which was done very quickly. If you did not know better you would think the AFT had given the President some backdoor money to come out with the anti-tenure statement. - Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:51 am: Facts, most complaints I hear from members have nothing to do with the terms of the contract. They have issues with grievances which are withdrawn with no explanation, the lack of information provided to members, and the lack of input they get when it comes to the bargaining process both for the contract and working conditions. When they complain, they continually get the fact that the contract provides them with benefits thrown back at them as the reason they should just toe the line. That doesn’t build solidarity. - Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:56 am: Mouthy, many people are too timid to bring up issues in front of a group. Those people go to someone one on one in the hope that they will help them. The fact that they are too timid to raise an issue doesn’t mean it is not legitimate. - nixit71 - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:58 am: 2,000 members converted from fair share x $7 additional/member in dues per paycheck x 2 paychecks/month? $28,000 per month Not a bad haul. Helps to pay for some failed investments in Dillard last year. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:03 am: BVR - “That was all me! I did it. Oh wait… I mean, that was the corrupt union bosses, the corrupt bargain, and the corrupt status quo.” - Facts are Stubborn Things - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:06 am: @ Pelonski - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:51 am: I agree, but my point is that you don’t get all you want. Just because your grievance gets dropped does not mean you should not support the union. You are benefiting from the contract in general and even thought there is plenty to complain about, the only way to make any difference is from within. - Mason born - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:08 am: Always thought that part of AFSCME’s problems was the wide diversity of members as far as education excetra. The needs of a liscensed professional engineer are quite divergent from those of a buildings laborer. I am not besmirching either professional. The same contract that seems like a boon in benefits for one may be seen as a reduction to the other. One may need employer assistance with continuing education while the other is more in need of accommodations for severe weather. It has to make it hard to find the sweet spot. I wonder if there is a break down of titles that are fair share? - Ghost - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:16 am: Oddly this supports Rauners idea that these should be voluntary - Liberty - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:19 am: Obviously Rauner’s claims of standing ovations at state agencies are either delusional or narcissistic. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:21 am: ===Oddly this supports Rauners idea that these should be voluntary=== Huh? - Ben Franklin - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:25 am: @ AllenD unless you are politically connected (which is how IL operates) then who’s going to value your request for raises, vacation days etc? Think anyone else cares about your work that has influence? You just made yourself an easier target with your Fair-Share attitude. - Ben Franklin - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:33 am: @ shaking My Head Having been Merit-Comp I have seen numerous instances where the smartest most efficient employees don’t get the bonuses or increases. Who has? Those who campaigned for the governor the most. Give Me the faults of the union any day over that kind of crud. - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:38 am: @ Ben Franklin == I have no political ties, never have, I am a 12 yr. military veteran and not Retired either. I only moved back to IL to help my family care for my ill mother… coming from a right to work state back home to a Union state is an eye opener to say the least… I have been with the state now for 8 years and have supported, asked, begged, for any way to not be a union member at all… there is no way… Unions had their time in history building up workplaces and safety, but now they are merely Democratic mouthpieces or so it seems to me. That I wholeheartedly do not support. - Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:42 am: The Dems had a much more effective strategy. Convince the unions you’re on their side. Embrace. Make sure Dems then have power over unions. Extend. Be really hard during negotiations. Extinguish. Repeat cycle to keep the unions on your side. Rauner must not have learned that lesson! He skipped to “extinguish”, lo and behold, it didn’t work. Meanwhile the Dems are in the embrace cycle and will ride it back to power. - nadia - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:30 pm: To OW, I’m afraid you may be right but sure hope you are wrong. It should be easy for union folks to figure out Rauner’s plan is bad for all workers and unions and if the Dems ever lose the majority we will find out how bad some of the other GOPers are for middle class workers and unions. - Anon. - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:32 pm: Shaking My Head @10:33 am ==Not all bargaining unit employees benefit from a union. I’ve seen first hand, how high performances are hurt. Raises and bonuses for high performing employees were lowered so that average performing employees get larger raises and bonuses.== Ben Franklin beat me to it. Try selling that line to the merit comp employees who have been making less than the unionized employees who work under them for years. Many of them wanted to join the union and were denied. And, while you’re at it, ask them how many of these situations have been rectified by the new administration. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:41 pm: - nadia -, Until Organized Labor decides as a whole to unify against the idea that collective bargaining’s existence hinges on wether Governor Rauner gets his 60 and his 30, and… work as a collective thought as “this or that”, they will fail. They failed in 2014. Can they politically be of one goal and make the difference, I honestly don’t know and the smart money is against them. Sad, but that’s how I see the snapshot today. If Organized Labor can politically organize and recognize fundamental errors in educating in a single thought, I’d have to reassess. - nadia -, you think its a partisan scism? - Shanks - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:46 pm: Looking at Rauners demands from state employees, from the pension, insurance, pay, etc….why in the world would anyone be fair share?! I understand, I am not a big fan of the union, nor it’s donations to the political machine….but when faced with Rauner and his administration, I sure would be willing to pay a few extra bucks to protect my livelihood. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:47 pm: Don’t dispute those figures. I personally know that they are accurate. It was great to see so many of my co-workers stand waiting by my office to switch. Thanks Bruce! You are a sheer genius! - reasonable - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 12:59 pm: so Allen D, did you have a similar job in Virginia, if so how does the pay and benefits compare to your State job here? - Anon. - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:06 pm: Allen D. ==I have been with the state now for 8 years and have supported, asked, begged, for any way to not be a union member at all… there is no way… == There are a lot of non-union jobs with the state, many of which are unfilled because no one in the union wants to leave its protection to take the job. Have you put in for one of those? - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:14 pm: @ Anon== Thank you, but there are none in the area of my family, yes I have looked and I am not moving to Springfield for them… - Allen D - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:25 pm: @ reasonable == The pay and benefits in Virginia were very similar only I was not in a union, We had much better communication and much better moral. There in Virginia, they really looked out for the little guy, we had office parties, (unheard of around here), potlucks, you name it… and it was no rinky dink little company… it was a federal subcontracting firm. Family trumps pay which is why I moved back here… for now … - nadia - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:27 pm: OW, not sure if you mean a division amongst organized labor or a political party. Unfortunately there is a schism in organized labor, maybe more than one. Public sector versus private sector, building trades versus industrial organizations, etc. Too often some of the “higher” paid union members look down their noses at those who really need a union to help protect their $12/hr jobs. Forgotten is the reason folks organize, to better their plight, whether it is gaining a 10 minute paid break period or getting double time for certain overtime situations. In the end it’s all the same; some level of control of one’s work life; and with Rauner et al it’s all the same, get control back from workers. Once owners and managers had total control. When working folks had enough they organized into unions. The unions took away some of the control, they want it back. I believe some of the early strategy by organized labor was to ignore Rauner and not give him a platform. It may have worked for awhile, now the only way he succeeds on a bigger picture is if he wins big against organized labor. It seems the strategy of ignoring him may need to be re-evaluated with consideration given to an all out anti-Rauner and any legislator who supports him approach; take em on with everything you got, spare no one, you’re either “with us or against us”. As far as the a political schism I don’t see yet, but I find it easier to imagine it happening to the GOP House first. - Soccermom - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:29 pm: Ten years ago, I would have called myself mildly pro-union. Today, after seeing all these governors go after schoolteachers and public employees, I am rabidly pro-union. If it weren’t for the teachers’ union fighting for fair wages, Soccermom and Soccerdad would not have been able to go to college. The unions put our families in the middle class, and we need them to help millions of other families achieve and stay in the middle class. Hey Rauner — “Oh, you can’t scare me, I’m sticking to the union” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:37 pm: ===It seems the strategy of ignoring him may need to be re-evaluated with consideration given to an all out anti-Rauner and any legislator who supports him approach; take em on with everything you got, spare no one, you’re either “with us or against us”.=== If all of Organized Labor can’t see this, they will be picked apart individually. ===As far as the a political schism I don’t see yet, but I find it easier to imagine it happening to the GOP House first.=== Agreed. The seven who walked, they could save the GOP, but… Rauner won’t allow diverse thought. It’s all up to Rauner… thanks for your thoughts. - Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:51 pm: –If all of Organized Labor can’t see this, they will be picked apart individually.– They did get picked apart individually. That happened under Blagojevich and Quinn. Rauner could have stuck to THEIR strategy and got 75% of what he wanted. That’s the kicker here. - Old and Tired - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:54 pm: Oswego- You’re largely right, as usual, but I disagree with your “herding cats” analogy. There are dozens of Councils and hundreds of locals in Illinois. One, two, or even ten of them signing “save my ass” deals with the Governor is not a sign of a rudderless labor movement. The “Turnaround Agenda” sideshow drove unions together across the state. Rauner made a big miscalculation. Instead of following the Wisconsin playbook of divide and conquer, Rauner attacked public and private sector unions simultaneously. THEN, he started attacked disabled and disadvantaged populations so now virtually every community service NPO and association in the state is also against Rauner. I mean, just look at the polls. Rauner may be winning, and he may even eke out a budget or bargaining victory this year, but the tide is not in his favor. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 1:55 pm: “If Organized Labor can politically organize and recognize fundamental errors in educating in a single thought, I’d have to reassess.” You expect more from Unions than they will ever be capable of. There will never be a “single thought” to educate over. They are humans. Just because people are in a union doesn’t mean they suddenly drop all other issues for which they vote. My KC council is over 50% union but they overwhelmingly vote republican even though they passionately believe in collective bargaining and labor fairness but rather because their religious beliefs and catholic faith trump their individual beliefs. - Politix - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:00 pm: Allen D. ==I have been with the state now for 8 years and have supported, asked, begged, for any way to not be a union member at all… t== This is the 3rd or 4th time you’ve posted this. You’re not a victim. You are part of a very, very small, probably almost non-existent minority. I’m sorry you don’t get potlucks, etc., at your job here, but I do hope you enjoy your annual step increases and COLA. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:07 pm: - Southern Illinois Hoopdee -, Blago and Quinn never wanted the overall elimination of Union negotiating. Quinn may have not been a friend or ally, but at what point will Labor decide “We can’t always get what we want, but we need to at least exist to fight for it”. ===The “Turnaround Agenda” sideshow drove unions together across the state.=== When ILGO starts targeting Dems so Rauner can try to his his 60 and 30, we will see how Labor falls. I’m not dismissing other unions that found labor peace, it’s more of a warnimg that their labor peace they have now is just a Rauner Controlled General Assembly away from being less than whole, at best. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:14 pm: ” - Anonymous - “, ===My KC council is over 50% union but they overwhelmingly vote republican even though they passionately believe in collective bargaining and labor fairness but rather because their religious beliefs and catholic faith trump their individual beliefs.=== Elections are about choices. Unions that support Republicans is my take on this; not all unions are Democratically populated. But, if 40% of Labor Household voters vote for Rauner candidates, I will continue to have no sympathy. That’s the challenge for Organized Labor. It’s not 100%, but doing way better than 60% when it comes to Rauner, given his now exposed agenda. That’s the ball game. Not perfection, but way better at making the argument to blow past 60% and do that in the micro House and state Senate districts specifically. I wish them well. - Former Merit Comp Slave - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:39 pm: I worked my way up through the union positions into a couple supervisory jobs. The last promotion was a merit comp position. I was never that big on unions up to that point. Then I went 7 years without a raise while watching those working under me surpass my salary with less than half the time on and much less responsibility. So yea I jumped on the union ship and have never regretted it. Only wish I’d done it sooner. I don’t agree with the union all the time but they busted their bum for me and others in my position and I won’t ever forget that. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:40 pm: “Unions that support Republicans is my take on this…But, if 40% of Labor Household voters vote for Rauner candidates, I will continue to have no sympathy.” Sympathy for what? You really need to get over your Dillard thing. Quinn was put on earth to reduce their pensions. He paid the price. You don’t turn on your own. AG will also find this out should she appeal to USSC. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:52 pm: ” - Anonymous - ” Well, they sure showed Quinn. Possibly at the cost of their nose. My “Dillard thing”? The election is over, especially that one. I speak to the Unions status now, not to “what ifs” in election results. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:57 pm: “I speak to the Unions status now, not to “what ifs” in election results.” Well maybe not now but you sure did a half hour ago. “But, if 40% of Labor Household voters vote for Rauner candidates,” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:01 pm: ===Well maybe not now but you sure did a half hour ago.=== That’s not a “what if” that’s analyzing the challenges ahead from what was learned, not “Golly, if only… ” You do know the difference, don’t you, ” - Anonymous - “? - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:10 pm: Who are you quoting? “Golly, if only… ” - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:15 pm: ” - Anonymous - “, I’m interpreting your weak interpretation of my comment. It humors me. - Politix - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:35 pm: Anonymous: I believe you’re confusing the Union’s late push to help Dillard win (and Rauner lose) the primary via dem crossover votes with OWs statement that 40% of union households voted for Rauner. - Ben Franklin - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:37 pm: I am a 7 year Mil Veteran and left Texas to come to Illinois and was very glad to be able to get into the union after 5 years of being merit-comp. Unions don’t give to Dems because they are Dems, they give to officials who vote in the interest of their members, just like the NRA, AARP. So, Hope you get past that myth. It’s beyond me how Republicans can talk people into voting against their own self-interest! - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:41 pm: Still don’t see how you get to your projection of “Golly, if only…?” No one regrets voting out Quinn even if it resulted in Rauner. His overeach has resulted in more members, and while your sympathy is not available, those who attended packed County Board turn around agenda mtgs. were plenty sympathetic. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:44 pm: Politix - No I’m not. I concede that unions voted 40% for Rauner. I spoke to it and explained it at 1:55. Some folks aren’t one issue voters. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:47 pm: ” - Anonymous - “, I tried to understand, and it appears others are confused by your comments too. Best of luck to you. - Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:50 pm: Laydown noted and best to you as well. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:52 pm: If “laydown” is deciding not feeding a troll, you’re right, lol. - Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:04 pm: Ruiner’s claims to standing ovations are not necessarily delusional. When he visited IDOT, he gave his speeches in the cafeteria and the atrium. The employees were standing. Many people clapped respectfully. So as you can see, the governor assumed that because people were standing and clapping, he was getting a standing ovation. I am sure similar incidents occurred at other agencies. - Skeptic - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:27 pm: “No one regrets voting out Quinn ==even if it resulted in Rauner.==” Huh? Who is “no one?” - Mouthy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:33 pm: - Huh? - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:04 pm: IDOT is Teamsters… - Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 8:28 pm: See, that’s what Walker did masterfully. He completely turned unions against each other. In spite of an ugly war against him, he picked off enough union votes to melt his political opposition here. Someone in Rauner’s strategy sanctum lost that idea. Also, it might be too late for him to try that at this point in the game. If he abandoned the Turnaround items, he wouldn’t be the first in IL to abandon an agenda he ran on. - Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 8:29 pm: There, I mean. I’m not in Wisconsin. - jazzy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 9:32 pm: @AllenD…quit, see you do have options. Reality is every one of us has the ability to walk away from a bad situation but often times we stay. Why? Maybe money, family etc. What makes me sad is when people just want to play the blame game. I left the state after 20 plus years. Yep, left. My insurance is less, pay about the same, 401K plan….yep they actually put the matching in, lost 7 vacation days but will have that back in 7 years. So please stop making it out that state employees are soooo overpaid. Oh by the way I pay taxes! - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:04 pm: – he wouldn’t be the first in IL to abandon an agenda he ran on.– I missed those right-to-work, end collective bargaining, fair share grab and gut prevailing wage spots during the Rauner campaign. Were they good? - Property of IDOC - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:41 pm: Allen D., you can walk out the door any time you want, and take your cryin’ towel with you. Willy, oh how I hope you’re wrong about the Gov.winning. I love my job… - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:11 pm: - Property of IDOC -, I hope I’m wrong too, for labor’s sake, but until Organize Labor decides they all are in the same boat, at least with collective bargaining, and must all realize Rauner isn’t, the odds are with Rauner. The 2014 legislative races in March and November will be very telling. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 11:35 pm: Ugh. 2016. Apologies Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.