* Background is here if you need it. Darren Bailey spoke for striking workers at Illinois State University last week…
At Illinois State University, hundreds of workers, the people who clean the buildings, prepare the food, maintain the campus and keep things running, day in and day out, have been pushed to the point where they have no choice but to strike, not because they Want to, but because they had to. They have gone two years without a raise, two years while everything else in their lives has gone up, groceries, gas, rent, utilities. Every single month it cost more just to get by when it comes to your paycheck. It doesn’t keep up with economic realities. You feel it everywhere. Your home, your health and even your relationships with friends and families are affected.
The stress that these workers at ISU are feeling right now is very real. And instead of fixing this, instead of negotiating in good faith, the university brought in replacement workers, replacement workers whom the university is paying more than the union members who are currently on strike. The university is also illegally hiding information about wage claims. Friends, that’s the wrong approach. It sends a message to working people that they’re expendable, that if you speak up, if you fight for fairness, that you can simply just be replaced. […]
These workers aren’t expendable. They are the backbone of this state. This isn’t about labels. This isn’t about being pro union or anti Union. This is about being pro worker and pro family. Workers need to be supported, they need to be respected, and they need to be paid in a way that allows them to actually live and not just survive.
I’ve stood with workers before. When John Deere workers were fighting for a better deal, I stood with them because I believe in something simple. When the work gets done, right, the people doing the work should share in the success. […]
Now here’s where leadership matters, because while all of this is happening, my question is, where’s Governor JB Pritzker? Not here. He’s not here, helping these workers and offering true leadership to Illinois workers who need help. Instead, he’s going on cable news shows to hype up his delusional presidential run. You can’t claim to stand with workers and then disappear when it actually matters. You can’t talk about supporting and then allow situations like this to drag on while families struggle to get by. […]
Leadership means getting results, and right now, Illinois isn’t seeing any leadership. Illinois State University needs to get back to the bargaining table today, right now. They need to stay there through the weekend, if that’s what it takes. They need to do the work. They need to have the tough conversation, and they need to find common ground. It’s there above all, get it done.
Please pardon any transcription errors.
* DPI responds…
At a press conference today, Darren Bailey insisted that “by no means am I anti-union.” His record says otherwise. Bailey voted against raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, voted against paid leave for workers, and pushed to abolish the Illinois Constitution’s pension protection clause. Every single chance he has had, he has voted against working Illinoisans.
While Darren Bailey and the ILGOP stay silent on Donald Trump’s role in spiking prices and pretend to stand with working families, Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Democrats are taking real action – fighting for Illinois workers and making life more affordable.
DARREN BAILEY’S ANTI-WORKER RECORD:
Bailey’s voting record shows his anti-worker stance.
• Sponsored a constitutional amendment to strip pension protections from the workers who earned them
• Opposed the workers’ rights amendment
• Voted against raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour
• Voted against paid leave for workers
• Opposed raising the minimum salary for Illinois teachers
• Voted against cost-of-living increases for retired firefighters
• Was one of only two votes against occupational disease disability benefits for Illinois firefighters
• Was the ONLY senator to vote against a homestead tax exemption for police officers and firefighters with duty-related disabilities
Bailey has a failing rating from the Illinois AFL-CIO. Here’s why:
• Voted against allowing electronic sign-on to form a union – making it harder to organize
• Voted against the strongest clean energy labor standards in the country
• Voted against labor representation on state boards and commissions
• Voted against restoring collective bargaining rights to public employees wrongly stripped of union membership
• Voted against graduate teaching assistants being recognized as employees with labor rights
• Voted against prohibiting Right-to-Work zones in Illinois – a direct attack on union power
* The fact remains, however, that one of our top public universities is apparently hiring scabs to undercut striking workers who haven’t received a wage increase in two years. And the governor has not yet stepped up.
Higher education received a one percent budget increase last year and the governor wants to give them another one percent this year. So, the state is part of the problem.
I’ve asked the governor’s office for a response. I’ll let you know if they provide one.
…Adding… From the governor’s office…
The Governor urged ISU to return to the bargaining table and stands firmly against tactics that undermine workers. The fact there are any questions as to where the Governor stands on supporting strike busting is insulting to how he has stood up for worker since taking office.
Additionally, it is disingenuous to not acknowledge that the Governor, since his first budget, has increased funding for public universities by $224.7 million, MAP grant funding by $320 million, and AIM High funding by $25 million. Together, the Governor’s support for public universities has reduced the net price of attendance at 2/3 of our public universities with 44% of in-state undergraduates paying zero in tuition and fees and 52% of in-state undergraduates pay 25% or less of the sticker price in tuition and fees.
- lol - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 1:37 pm:
Oh, did I miss when Bailey supported and voted for budgets to fund higher education? Did he support the ballot initiative to protect collective bargaining rights in Illinois?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 1:39 pm:
===Oh, did I miss when===
Instead of whataboutism, how about sticking to the topic at hand?
- The apologist - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 1:41 pm:
Sometimes even an unapologetic panderer and grand stander makes a valid point. But he’s still gonna lose … by a lot.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 1:43 pm:
===But he’s still gonna lose===
Again, stick to the topic.
I’d really like to know why the governor has not spoken out about the highly paid scabs and the length of this strike.
- Grimlock - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 1:50 pm:
Is ISU paying benefits to the “scabs” in addition to the hourly wage? If not, then the union employees are likely paid more than these replacement workers. I mean, that detail may not matter in the bigger picture, but I’ve seen the “scabs are being paid more” line in a few different articles now.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 1:52 pm:
=== then the union employees are likely paid more===
They aren’t being paid at all right now.
- Not Rich - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 1:53 pm:
JB’s campaign and Capitol staff are all too focused on 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:04 pm:
This is something that the Prizker team is letting Bailey score points on…..
Bailey of all people.
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:08 pm:
Bailey has something like a 10% lifetime AFL-CIO rating.
Mother Jones and Sam Gompers he aint.
The Pritzker team needs to lean on that here AND lean on ISU to stop hiring scabs and get back to negotiating.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:10 pm:
===10% lifetime AFL-CIO rating===
Any port in a storm
- H-W - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:12 pm:
I agree with your initial assessment, Rich. Bailey does make a valid argument about the situation among many state employees (not just at ISU).
When he and DPI deflect toward the politics of blame, unfortunately the situation is being ignored. People are hungry now, not in their minds but in their stomachs (to paraphrase Marx).
Many state employees have been longer than 2 years without pay raises. After the state bumped minimum wage from $10.00 to $15.00, it meant many state employees were given raises. But after that, the stage has been set such that no real wages gains are occurring for many state employees at the bottom of the wage scale.
Other state employees have had their wages frozen as well, and while we can tolerate the absence of cost of living adjustments, we do not feel them nearly as acutely as those being forced to strike.
The solution is not to be found in politicking. It is not to be found either in trading wages for workforce reductions (lest the business of the state be abolished).
We need new streams of revenue. I say that in the context of an earlier story here suggestion moderate Democrats are opposed to creating additional revenues by taxing those why already have succeeded in the race to the top.
- Remember the Alamo II - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:15 pm:
As an ISU alum, I am sickened by this situation. You can’t claim to be sticking up for workers on the one hand, and refuse to pay those same workers a fair wage on the other hand. This isn’t about Bailey, this is about union workers being given the stiff arm by the University and, ultimately, the Governor. JB put out a statement that criticizes Bailey, but does not make any show of support for workers. Why?
- Frida's Boss - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:24 pm:
Leaning on, “but what about” to counter Bailey’s argument means he’s not wrong. If he was wrong, they would respond with….”Bailey’s facts couldn’t be more wrong. ISU is doing what’s necessary to ensure fairness for its workers. The workers are working in tandem with University leadership to settle the strike quickly and with a win for both sides.”
They’re not doing that. Instead, they’re trying to deflect the fact that the governor has had ample time to deal with this issue and hasn’t. Governor’s own.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:29 pm:
===trying to deflect===
This. All day.
- Lee Elia - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:32 pm:
Has any Illinois Governor got into the scrum between CTU and Chicago Public schools?
Of course not.
Governor Pat Quinn stayed silent while Rahm Emanuel closed 50 mostly empty Chicago schools.
The chief executive shouldn’t micro manage budgets for Universities or any other public schools in Illinois.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:36 pm:
===got into the scrum===
CPS hasn’t hired replacement teachers.
- Banish Misfortune - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:36 pm:
The Pritzker shine is starting to dim a bit I became a fan during the pandemic when he was clearly focused on the job.
Now every day there I seem to read of another failure to execute. The university employees, prisons, transportation infrastructure, services for children and on and on.
If you have top notch staff they can be depended upon to monitor, and follow through. But that’s not happening either.
One of the things I really liked about Biden is the excellent people (with exceptions of course) working for him. .
JB needs to both pay more attention and get people working who will do the same.
- NIU Grad - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:41 pm:
“Has any Illinois Governor got into the scrum between CTU and Chicago Public schools”
ISU is a state institution, funded by the state with governor-appointed trustees.
- Steve - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:41 pm:
ISU is an important place. It does provide great value. Many great teachers have come from ISU. It’s very sad things have to come this. These aren’t overpaid adminstrators. Hopefully, something can be worked out. ISU is one of the best values in higher education.
- Lee Elia - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:42 pm:
So the Governor should step in and override the University administration, rehire the striking workers with nice pay raises with what authority and what money?
- Demoralized - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:46 pm:
==So the Governor should step in and override the University administration, rehire the striking workers with nice pay raises with what authority and what money?==
Absolutely nobody said that. The point is that he has remained silent while a strike has gone on for more than 2 weeks with a university that has apparently hired scabs in violation of the law. You would think a Democratic Governor would have something to say about that.
- Lee Elia - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:48 pm:
The state funds less than 14% of operating revenue for the Illinois State University.
Not much leverage for authorizing payroll.
About 27% for CPS
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:55 pm:
===Not much leverage for authorizing payroll. ===
Who said that?
It’s called a bully pulpit. And I’m sure ISU wants some stuff from Springfield. They always do.
- Demoralized - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 2:57 pm:
The cynical part of me thinks UIS and ISU has taken these positions on their respective contracts (refusing to negotiate in good faith) and is failing to offer reasonable wages to try and force the state’s hand when it comes to funding for higher ed.
- just because - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 3:01 pm:
It is rare that Bailey hits the nail so squarely, but he did here. Where is the governor or his people? In what democratic state should a governor sit by quietly and allow scabs to be hired at a state funded university? Can’t believe AFL/CIO is letting this happen. Get them all to the table now!!
- thisjustinagain - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 3:21 pm:
Bailey’s gonna try whatever he can to gain votes from now until the election. But this is too good a situation for him to not grandstand. JB owns this mess, just like other State messes he’s not doing anything about. A phone call to the head of ISU and/or the Board members could do wonders.
- OneMan - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 3:24 pm:
Bailey makes a legit point, and ask yourself if this was happening when Rauner was governor would DPI have hit Rauner on this?
You bet the would.
Also when JB is on stage with other hopefuls for the next thing we wants to do someone is going to ask about this.
Some super-PAC will have some fun with it too.
It’s a very bad look JB
- Archpundit - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 3:33 pm:
The Governor needs to step up–Bailey’s right. With a 1% increase you are going to get increases in tuition or cuts in service and you cannot cut these services, so you have to pay the people who work in them. 2 years of no increases when you are in an inflationary period is not acceptable.
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 3:41 pm:
Governor press office, I’m a supporter.
So don’t come at me with how dare you question me arrogance and irrelevant map grant stats in response to a valid question about what is the governor doing to resolve a 3-week-long strike of union support staff workers at ISU.
The governor appointed everyone on that board except the student trustee so their acts rightly reflect on Pritzker.
Does he think the board did a good job with the mysterious golden parachute for ex-prez Terri Goss Kinzy when she quit mid-term without warning? WHAT about with the massive unnecessary $75,000 raise for Tarhule when he was promoted from interim prez to regular prez with no prez search was conducted and his base salary became higher than the US president’s at $450k? Does Pritzker think his appointed board is negotiating well on behalf of taxpayers in how it deals with administrators vs. Hourly wage workers?
- Frida's Boss - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 3:44 pm:
The Governor’s team is trying to throw a Hail Mary here as the rhetoric ramps up.
Bringing up the funding the state has provided is fine, saying he has supported workers is fine as well, but still a deflection.
Saying that the workers deserve to be provided fair wages and benefits, and are crucial to the University. That is standing up and making your position clear to all involved.
Also, ISU just increased tuition and fees 5% for the upcoming school year. Guessing the frontline workers’ raises could be covered by some of this. Or maybe not? Don’t know their financials.
- Jack in Chatham - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 3:56 pm:
Point of order: ISU has not hired anyone to teach classes. Let’s not compare Apples to Oranges. This is about cafeteria, janitor and groundskeeper staffs. Unfortunate situation for everyone concerned.
- 40,000 ft - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 4:02 pm:
I have a relative that was in dining services at ISU, in that union, for 20+ years.
He didn’t get paid in the summer, and barely made over minimum wage for decades. Impossible conditions to get a financial plan for the long breaks with no pay.
His mom fed him for years in the summer and other long breaks.
This battle has been unfolding for two decades. This union is a hard-working group that haven’t given up expecting and hoping for a living wage.
ISU management should be outed for their chronic elitism and financial abuse.
Reading the Governor’s budget increases above, it really makes this situation even more of an injustice.
(I’m going to find out how much my relative was making when he retired, and what he thinks the current pay is and number of pay periods in the year.)
- OneMan - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 4:16 pm:
Actually it would be a better “look” if it was instructional staff vs janitors. Ivy towers and all that
- c'mon man - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 6:52 pm:
“The fact there are any questions as to where the Governor stands”
“it is disingenuous to not acknowledge”
You touched a nerve, Rich.
- 40,000 ft - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 7:00 pm:
My relative retired in 2019, making $15/hr for 38 weeks per year.
Over the years, they were laid off for every break— summer, winter, spring, etc, but they were prohibited from filing for unemployment benefits.
That always miffed me. It didn’t seem right.
Doing the math, that’s like $11/hr, if it had been a 52 week yr.
This was after 20+ years of service.
The union tried over the years to get better wages.
I hope this finally gets the attention it deserves and ISU pays these folks better. (Of course executive and admin levels are well compensated.)
(assumed 37.5hrs/wk)
- 40,000 ft - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 7:52 pm:
random perspective…
These union folks are the same crew that feed and house the kids that represented ISU in post season play this last year.
Dining services knows every kid and feeds them well.
Go Redbirds
- Rich Miller - Monday, Apr 27, 26 @ 10:42 pm:
===You touched a nerve, Rich. ===
Oh, yeah.
Heh
Tomorrow is another day.