* AFSCME Council 31 has responded to the governor’s letter to state workers last week. Have a look…
* Setting the Record Straight
* Bargaining Comparison
To me, anyway, the bargaining comparison comes as little surprise. Rauner wants the world and AFSCME wants to hold on to what it has and even expand it. They’re asking for a $1,000 pensionable bonus in the first year and a 2.25 percent raise in the second year, with 3 percent raises in years three and four.
…Adding… From Anders Lindall at AFSCME…
Rich – So you’re aware, the documents you obtained and published are two of three emailed yesterday to AFSCME-represented state employees. With respect to the Bargaining Comparison, I’d emphasize that the union’s very modest proposals described here (agreeing to the governor’s bonus framework in year 1, reasonable wage increases in the out years, a willingness to pay a little more for health care, etc) reflect our latest positions, but these are NOT final offers. We’ve consistently indicated that we want to continue the negotiating process to find common ground. – Anders
* Meanwhile, here’s an e-mail from a reader…
Hi Rich,
Didn’t necessarily want to put this on a blog post and you probably know already, but my husband, a state police retiree, has been contacted about “exciting opportunities” to come back and work temporarily for the state. He was also told to let others know about it.
* She asked that her name not be used, but she transcribed the message the person left on her home voicemail. I’ve changed her husband’s name here…
“Hi Joe, this is Lydia from Premiere Staffing Services. Please call about a great opportunity I’m working on for the State of Illinois.”
* The reader suggested that “Joe” call Lydia back…
She told him if he knows of “anyone looking for work, Premier is lining up lots of folks.” She didn’t say for a lock-out, my husband said she seemed to indicate the need if there was a strike.
Joe did tell me that many times in the past, agencies would be required to hurry up and put together plans for different situations that never came to fruition.
That’s true.
