96 Comments - Reality Check - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:14 am: Here’s what I’ve heard. I’ve heard it’s time to stop believing anything Bruce Rauner or his minions say unless it’s supported by proof in black and white. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:16 am: Bwahahaha……bwahahahaha….bwahahahaha… (evil laugh) - Ghost - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:16 am: They havent had a strike vote yet, asked people to picket etc etc…. but maybe the sky will fall tomorrow chicken little…. who am i to say - Anon - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:17 am: We haven’t heard anything because Bruce is a stand-up guy and being modest. He doesn’t want to brag about how he masterfully got AFSCME to back down from striking tomorrow. He has more important work to do that doesn’t include campaigning. Heavy /s. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:17 am: Not.A.Thing! - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:17 am: I bought 25 cans of Beef Stew, 20 bags of beef jerky (BBQ Flavor), 5 cases of water, two boxes of MREs, 624 batteries of all makes, 3 flashlights, a transistor radio, 2 morse code books, and I rounded up the Harry Potter book series in preparation for tomorrow. Oh, it’s coming. It’s coming. - Anotherretiree - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:18 am: Have heard all depends on the Labor relations board. If they side with the Barron, then he’ll implement contract changes. HealthCare changes are ready to go with just a couple days notice to choose. That prevents a judge from stopping them. After that, the ball is in AFSCME’s court. - Skeptic - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:18 am: If they held a strike vote, then it was on double-secret probation because I didn’t hear about it. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:18 am: No but I have hear a rumor that our health insurance rates are going to go up retro actively back to July…..starting tomorrow. - Sarcastic One - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:19 am: It would be a good trick seeing AFSCME strike without anyone on the strike lines. You have to vote for a strike before you can actually strike from what I understand. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:19 am: No, tomorrow is the day that Rauner will claim that it is through his efforts that the strike was adverted! - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:21 am: OW- you’re looking at a good case of lockjaw with all that meat. I’ll bring over a case of canned peaches from my bunker and AFSCME activist CIC. - Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:27 am: The gov’s office will probably spin it as “State employees defy corrupt union bosses; refuse to go on strike!” - Ottawa - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:27 am: The burn barrels, port a potty’s, tents and big inflatable rats have all been delivered and set up outside of every state office right now! Go look. s/ This has been nothing but another scare tactic, lie sent out by this administration. Grass bowl JT from CMS will probably send out another video tomorrow to all state employees stating he saved the day. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:28 am: - Honeybear -, - Honeybear -, Honeybear! You disappoint me. You should already know, I have cans and cans… of frozen strawberries. - Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:29 am: ===No but I have hear a rumor that our health insurance rates are going to go up retro actively back to July…..starting tomorrow.=== Can Rauner do that? I mean legally… - Anon - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:29 am: I still quite cynically expect that the Governor will lock out AFSCME employees tomorrow and call it a strike. It’s the only reason I can come up with for generating a fake strike date — and it fits well with in the time frame for the November elections. It’s not something I’d do. It’s not something I think a reasonable administration would do, but we’ve reached the point where I don’t think I can count on the Rauner administration to have a reasonable approach to governing. They can’t even introduce a balanced budget like they’re constitutionally bound to. - Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:29 am: I think you’re reading it wrong. - Dread Pirate Roberts - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:32 am: “No but I have hear a rumor that our health insurance rates are going to go up retro actively back to July…..starting tomorrow.” Which is super annoying considering I’m being billed $2,500 for dental work that the state’s insurance will not pay, since no insurance claims are currently being paid. I love paying for insurance that doesn’t pay out on claims and I *really* love paying higher rates for the privilege. - Nick Name - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:37 am: “two boxes of MREs…” OW you are one brave soul. - ABC123 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:39 am: @ Dread…. you have to love that platinum plus insurance state employees have…(heavy snark). I have heard the rumor of backdating the premium changes for the insurance, but I really can’t see how that would survive the legal challenge that would shortly follow any such policy being attempted. That being said, I’m sure someone like RNUG will be able to give a better explanation. - Nick Name - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:40 am: “And we have also heard…” — Jason Barclay, superstar Rauner administration lawyer, peddling rumors in official GO statements. - Chicago 20 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:45 am: Republican’s are always predicting fictitious calamities which only they can protect us from any number of political apocalypses that never seem to materialize. - Reality Check - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:46 am: “We have heard …” - Rauner “People are saying …” - Trump - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:47 am: Nick Name- the MRE’s these days are actually not that bad. In 2000 I did my Marine Corp Expeditionary training for 2 weeks in Navy Chaplain School. My favorite was the Thai Chicken. Squeeze in the tube of peanut butter and add the Tobbasco and you’ve got a passable Thai dish. The best MRE’s are also the vegetarian and Kosher ones. Better ingredients. Rabbi Kaprow taught me that one. Problem with MRE’s is they are one hell of a lot of calories. You will gain weight out in the field. And they tend to stop you up. But the taste has gotten a lot better. - HRC2016 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:47 am: I was going to ask that question yesterday as I was reading CapitolFax. Became intrigued with BVR making the rounds at the tv stations and wondered why nobody asked him about it. - Ron - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:52 am: Anon, sounds great, lock em out. And Illinois hasn’t had a balanced budget in what, 30 years? - JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:52 am: @OW- Is there extra room in the bunker? I have a lot of first aide training so I do bring something to the table (along with a lot of books). - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:52 am: Dread and ABC123, I get it. I just got a collection call from the Orthodontist on Monday. As to the insurance, Rauner has been making very sneaky moves behind the scenes with the Police union trying to get Health insurance detached from collective bargaining. He’s playing FOP and AFSCME both to achieve this move. It’s my belief that we will see this played out tomorrow. Basically like a kid killing both parents and then asking the court for leniency because he’s an orphan. It’s rather complicated but we’ll know more tomorrow obviously. - BBG Watch - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:53 am: On the bottom of the insurance forms, there was a notice in there that all new premiums would be retroactive to July 1, 2016. By continuing coverage, you agreed to it. - Anon - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:53 am: I don’t think they can legally change the insurance tomorrow but that doesn’t mean they won’t try anyway. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:53 am: - Nick Name - Desperate times call for desperate measures! They aren’t THAT bad. - Ron - I read your comment. No one’s on your lawn. Good luck! - Nick Name - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:54 am: Honeybear — 2000? Things changed quickly. I got out of the Marines in 1995 and we had no Thai chicken MREs, or vegetarian or kosher for that matter. Looks like I got out too early. “And they tend to stop you up.” At least that hasn’t changed. We used to joke that “MRE” stood for “meals refusing to exit.” For the record my favorite dessert was the oatmeal cookie bar, which we lovingly called the sawdust bar. - JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:56 am: =And Illinois hasn’t had a balanced budget in what, 30 years?= In the last 18 months we have not had a budget. At all. And our governor has us spending at record deficits. Not bad work for 18 months. If you are trying to wreck things, that is. - Nick Name - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:56 am: OW I was referring more to the “stop you up” result of MREs, not the taste. - Consideration - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:57 am: –On the bottom of the insurance forms, there was a notice in there that all new premiums would be retroactive to July 1, 2016. By continuing coverage, you agreed to it.– This is true. However, I didn’t have a choice but to continue being covered by the state. The lower premium was not an option at that time. How can I be punished for not having that option? - AC - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:57 am: Rich must be partnering with Bruce, helping disseminate AFSCME’s secret plans for a strike tomorrow. I suspect merely informing the public has already foiled AFSCME’s plans, and will force them to choose a different date. Score one for the man in Carhartt, preventing a strike before it even happened, that’s a remarkable success. Now, JT will have more time to reeducate the misinformed union members who still haven’t come to understand how evil the union is, and how much Bruce cares for the workin’ people. /s - ABC123 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 10:59 am: @BBG… What form in particular? Employees who made no changes to their coverage (changed plans added dependents etc.) completed no paperwork. The email employees received simply stated to do nothing if no changes were required. Perhaps a sneaky way to have the ability to make the changes retroactive to July? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:01 am: - Nick Name - LOL! Understood now. - JS Mill - Sure! Just don’t tell anyone. I don’t want anyone to know this place exists. - Ron - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:02 am: Why do you ignore the last 30 years? - Deft Wing - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:02 am: Chicago Teachers will strike long before AFSCME workers … even before Rauner could lawfully lock AFSCME out. - Century Club - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:02 am: Like the leader of a Doomsday cult, Rauner will receive a dream tonight that the Great Strike will happen soon, just not tomorrow. Stick with your leader! When the Great Strike comes, he will lead you to the promised land. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:02 am: Okay Devil Dog Nick Name, take a look at this site. You DID get shafted on MRE’s. Bless your heart. This years menu looks pretty good. http://www.mreinfo.com/mres/mre-menus/ - Mason born - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:03 am: Honeybear No offense but if you put on weight in the field you weren’t training hard enough. But ya 2600 calories a piece. Was always partial to the pound cake myself. - Truthteller - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:11 am: According to Rauner, Madigan runs everything. A strike only requires a phone call, not a vote of the membership. If there’s no strike tomorrow, we can thank the Speaker. The governor is powerless and not responsible for anything - Hipster Doofus - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:12 am: -Oswego Willy@10:28am Is that a Father John Misty reference? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:15 am: - Hipster Doofus - It’s an Easter Egg… Think Bogart and the Navy. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:16 am: Mason born—Chaplains…we were taught just enough to keep us out of the way. Our biggest exercise besides the 10mile hump in (which you could probably hear 42 chaplains moaning 100 miles away) was learning to hide while our RP’s (Religious Program specialists) defended us. Land navigation was fun but it took Staff Sergeant Sears 6 hrs to find us all since the vast majority of us got lost. So yeah, admittedly chaplains are stress eaters and did put on weight. - RNUG - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:19 am: Tomorrow all the ghost employees will be walking the picket lines. /s - Exit 59 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:19 am: That’s not really a straw man… Would it be called an invisible straw man? an invisible straw man in a wind storm? - GA Watcher - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:22 am: Hear there’s been a run on inflatable rats at our local party supply store. - Louis G. Atsaves - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:25 am: “. . . a transistor radio, . . .” They still sell those? LOL! - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:27 am: - Louis G Atsaves - Ironically, the person who sold me the “bunker” sold me the transiter radio. - There Their They're - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:31 am: If there is an AFSCME strike, it will give their members plenty of time to start canvassing their membership to ensure another 40% membership vote for governor RAUNER in his reelect. - RNUG - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:32 am: == Can Rauner do that? I mean legally… == Seriously, re the health insurance, that’s going to be one of those “it depends” answers. Probably can’t legally do it to the retirees who are too young for Medicare Advantage. The good news, of a sort, for retirees is that any lawsuit could just cite the Kanerva ruling and the court’s speculation about raising fees and co-pays and probably win, at minimum, a stay on charging retirees. The bad news is there probably aren’t enough of those early retirees to fund a lawsuit that will go all the way. Employees are a different story. If the most recent AFSCME contract is still being honored (as is the case today), then it wouldn’t be legal. If the Labor Board declares an impasse exists, then the past contract has no bearing and Rauner can do pretty much whatever he wants to within some limits. I don’t think he can legally eliminate health insurance as a benefit since it was part of your benefit package at hiring, but he can sure reduce / slice / dice it. Anyway, that’s my take on it at the moment … - He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:32 am: None of my staff has said anything so No it does not start tomorrow. - RNUG - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:35 am: == “. . . a transistor radio, . . .” == I’ve got two old tube radios in the garage, one AM and one wide-band / short-wave … - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:37 am: - RNUG - If tomorrow is the big day, look for the flashlight morse code with directions to the bunker. You could be in charge of Communications… - blue dog dem - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:41 am: Do you guys/gals need any of my extra AK47’s for self defense purposes? - Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:41 am: AFSCME is so crafty that they will be on a stealth strike beginning tomorrow. It will appear that they are at work and doing their jobs, but they will actually be out walking picket lines and creating havoc. Only those in the know will be able to see what is really going on. - Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:43 am: ===Employees are a different story. If the most recent AFSCME contract is still being honored (as is the case today), then it wouldn’t be legal. If the Labor Board declares an impasse exists, then the past contract has no bearing and Rauner can do pretty much whatever he wants to within some limits. I don’t think he can legally eliminate health insurance as a benefit since it was part of your benefit package at hiring, but he can sure reduce / slice / dice it.=== Thank you RNUG. As always, you’re expertise is appreciated. A couple of follow-up questions: Would it also be illegal for the state to make ins. changes retroactive to July 1st? Would changes only be allowable effective on the date the ILRB declares an impasse or would it be the date Rauner declared an impasse? (assuming the ILRB rules in his favor) - Foster brooks - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:53 am: The bonus program is an absolute disaster. Afscme should say no to this. - RNUG - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 11:55 am: - blue dog dem - I’m good. Winchester Model 12, never been plugged, so still has full capacity. - RNUG - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:01 pm: == Would it also be illegal for the state to make ins. changes retroactive to July 1st? == Not sure. On the one hand, the previous contract should apply. But the retroactive warning was given and, either implicitly or explicitly (if you made a change) agreed to. On the employees’ side of things is the State’s past practice; always before a benefit choice period was offered when things changed. The question that a court would have to settle is where or not that agreement was “coerced”. - Ghost - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:08 pm: Well after reading all this i am not worried about a strike…. but i am hungry for some reason and craving mystery food prepared in a chemicaly self heating pouch…. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:12 pm: - blue dog dem - Talk with - Todd -… thanks for the offer - Mama Retired - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:17 pm: Rich, you can tell Rauner’s peeps there will be no AFSCME union strike tomorrow. - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:21 pm: OW- it makes me feel like an Ensign trying to get leave. I thought I saw you with the Strawberries. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow whether someone went to “Bull” or not. You think Queeg will find the key? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:26 pm: - Honeybear - I think they left the key to the galley fridge in Madeupville… I hid the other key in the bucket of the palm tree, the award for meritorious service Rauner keeps on deck. - Mason born - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:31 pm: Honeybear Ok i’ll give you that one. 10 miles that was a leisurely stroll to digest breakfast for us 03’s. Thanks for serving i always apprecited the stress releif Chaplains provided. - Team Warwick - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:35 pm: I heard the entire gubners office is going on strike tomortow because the state has not been paying the gubners salary. You can sure as heck they arent paying his medical bills either, why just a few months ago Springfield Clinic said the state owes them like $40 million dollars. And you can bet as soon as gubner goes his strike adventure i’m giv giving his job to somebody else. - burbanite - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:36 pm: Reminds me of all the doomsday predictions of Y2k. Nothing to see here folks… - Honeybear - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:36 pm: OW- Do you think I’ll be asked to get in the landing craft as AFSCME or Rauner sets a yellow dye marker? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:39 pm: - Honeybear - Once all this happens tomorrow, I can only speculate as to your role… … Tomorrow… … Strike Day. - Anon - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:48 pm: Email from JT coming at 4:00? - G'Kar - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:50 pm: Some people watch the Caine Mutiny this week. - Old Dinah Sour - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:52 pm: “Ask JT” - @MisterJayEm - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 12:54 pm: “The governor’s office has claimed time and time and time and time again that AFSCME is secretly plotting a September 1st strike date.” Just another in Rauner’s endless stream of OODA Loops. https://capitolfax.com/2015/12/14/these-loops-aint-fruity/ The governor has repeatedly been allowed to make wild, unsubstantiated claims without any consequences. And when nothing happens tomorrow, and when the press doesn’t hold him to account for his disinformation, he will be free to move on to the next dishonest, disorientation tactic. And Illinois will continue to suffer the consequences. – MrJM - anonanon - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:07 pm: Someone mentioned the mess that is the bonus program. Ask a teamster or someone who works for a department that uses teamsters (for example IDOT) about the bonuses that were just awarded. The program is a mess for sure. Tons of grievances filed and some interesting allegations about how the program works and who actually decides the bonuses. I am sure the information will makes its way to the public soon enough. - State Worker THX 1138 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:11 pm: The strike is happening tomorrow in a parallel universe. Rauner has the only key to the portal to this parallel universe and is the only one able to travel there. So yes, in his mind there will be strike tomorrow (like so many other things in his mind). - Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:17 pm: ===The bonus program is an absolute disaster. Afscme should say no to this.=== This concept is out of the corporate playbook. Companies like Walgreens uses these types of programs to reward over-performing employees. And it actually works pretty well when job performance is easily quantifiable. But it would not work for many public sector jobs because the work isn’t always quantifiable. And it’s difficult to compare employees in the same job title because of variables. Plus, you have the politics involved that have been mentioned in previous posts. - Huh? - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:22 pm: “Some people watch the Caine Mutiny this week.” Someone finally got the referenced book and movie. OW - if there is room in the bunker, I can bring 75 pounds of sugar and my still. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:26 pm: “Hi, Rich- Tomorrow, after AFSCME strikes, Governor Rauner will implement ‘Operation Phony Baloney’ will commence with the Illinois National Guard taking over operations and occupational control of state agencies at 07:00 hours. Civilian leadership will cede all Press Operations to the ILNG Information Officers. New credentials during the occupation will be issued on Friday. Thanks! ck” - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:34 pm: - Huh? - Grain alcohol? After we consume that, we may need a M*A*S*H* unit… - Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:47 pm: Waiting for an email about the exciting new choices in better healthcare plans and a friendly deadline in which to choose one. - A guy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:52 pm: Willy better hope the union springs for a Port o’ Potty with a rock solid maintenance agreement given the menu he’s prepared. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 1:54 pm: The “Latrine Duty” roster is always a daily constitution… - Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 2:03 pm: There is no strike tomorrow - A guy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 2:30 pm: ===There is no strike tomorrow=== Honestly, I didn’t really think so. But, with it being proclaimed by “Anonymous”, it must be true. /s Willy, put your cache back in the shed for later. False alarm. Except the frozen strawberries. Better eat those now. - A guy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 2:35 pm: And…if you really are inviting people into that bunker with you, perhaps you might add Spam to your menu and get a boatload of Glade Strips. With your provisions, even a short strike will present challenges. lol - Teamster - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 2:50 pm: I agree with previous posts. The bonus system for Teamsters is a disaster. As predicted. Supervisors and their friends are benefitting. Scores have been manipulated and some employees have been eliminated altogether due to the subjective nature of the bonus system criteria. - steward - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 2:58 pm: The 9-1 date was always in rauners wildest dreams. He wants it so bad it hurts. - Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 3:55 pm: ==There is no strike tomorrow == Thanks for that! Wish this had been posted sooner… - Trolling Troll - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 4:28 pm: If you go to CMS website under employee benefits the healthcare section is interesting. Good calculator for what’s to in store for state workers. - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 4:53 pm: OW, I can’t believe you didn’t put some Cannoli in your bug out bag. I’m in with a nice (semi) portable generator (neighbor will never miss it), a “sporting rifle,” flashlights galore, a CB radio, and two cases of FiberCon. Oh, and PopTarts. Lots of PopTarts. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 31, 16 @ 5:13 pm: - AA - You know, fresh Cannoil should never be substituted for long-lasting pasty that tries to take its place. Now, Pop-Tarts, that’s a fine substitute. The generator would be a huge help. I’ll be using the flashlight to send morse code once the strike begins, so be at the ready! Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.