Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Rauner, unions extend contract one month

Posted in:

Illinois

* From the governor’s office…

Joint Statement from Jason Barclay, General Counsel to the Governor, and from Mike Newman, Deputy Director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 (“AFSCME Council 31”):

“Today AFSCME Council 31 and the Governor’s Office reached an agreement that precludes the possibility of a strike or lockout for a one-month period after the state’s collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Council 31 expires on June 30. This agreement preserves all legal and contractual rights of the parties as of the contract expiration date. More importantly, it allows both sides to continue to negotiate during the month of July without the threat of disruption to important public services.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:42 pm

Comments

Reason prevails. Good news.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:45 pm
Who bet August on a signed budget? I think they won.

Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:45 pm
Ok!

I’m going to be half-full on this, no one can stop me.

I always thought the Rauner Administration had 3 tasks, if completed, Rauner could claim real victories;

FY2015 “fix” - mixed review, but ironed out

FY2016 - in limbo, “pending”

The AFSCME contract - this extension makes me see this as a positive. They are actually trying. I haveta believe that. Thus is good.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:47 pm
Wow!

Comment by newbie Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:48 pm
This is good news. This avoids immediate chaos and gives everyone a little breathing room. This takes away immediate uncertainty for many state workers. It also protects Illinois residents and those who benefit from state funds/services.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:54 pm
Now the union just needs to do this 47 more times!

Comment by Person 8 Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:57 pm
I think Rauner may be coming to understand that if this all blows up he is going to own it.

Comment by relocated Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:59 pm
It’s a start.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 6:59 pm
So, this prevents a lockout or a strike for one month, but we’re still facing a shutdown, correct?

Comment by Moby Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:01 pm
Yay RNUG! Thanks for checking in! One of my favorite commenters.

Comment by RunAground Agenda Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:15 pm
Hope this a good NEW start. I think it is fools’s gold. I am in a bad spot. 1) No budget 2) No contract possibly 3) My facility: The Hardin County Work Camp is on the Rauner chopping block.

I hope this gets worked out by both sides.

Comment by newbie Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:17 pm
I’m due for a service increase August 1…I’d love it if this meant that would happen!

Comment by RunAground Agenda Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:18 pm
Why do I think this agreement makes the shutdown solely a budget issue? No confusion with the agreement ending. Might be a bit of theater for the public at large?

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:18 pm
Perhaps Rauner can only handle one crisis at a time…

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:23 pm
Rauner is concerned about being seen in the extreme and not in moderation and being reasonable —– the Mjm narrative is having an affect.

Comment by Facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:28 pm
You still need a budget

Comment by Facts are stubborn things Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:28 pm
Gives Rauner administration more time. Smart move by both parties. Still think AFSCME is putting off the inevitable until August now. And when they go on strike during the Illinois State Fair AFSCME will look even worse.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:30 pm
The ice broke yesterday with the governor signing the schools approp.

There’s a lot of heavy lifting to be done, but the governor is now productively engaged.

Had to happen at some point.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:32 pm
Sounds reasonable. It is amazing what seems like progress when you set the bar as low as I have.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:39 pm
Wordslinger- I hope you are right, for both the workers who a actually do the hard jobs for this state and the folks who’s well being depends on the state helping them out. If this is just for show, it will come out soon enough by both sides actions.

But good news for a day…

Comment by Roadiepig Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:42 pm
I don’t trust him anymore.
He’s turned me into a cynic.
So I’m on watch until he proves he has figured his job out.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:45 pm
So 1229 went to the Governor on June 4th and suppose it’s vetoed on August 4th. How long after that would a vote to override the veto take place?
Are the chances good they can get the 71 votes to override since they only got 68 last time?

Comment by russo mcnon Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 7:49 pm
===He’s turned me into a cynic.===

Nah. He’s caused you to reassess some of your partisan beliefs. He’s made you a better commenter. Undoubtedly a better person.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:01 pm
—
He’s caused you to reassess some of your partisan beliefs. He’s made you a better commenter. Undoubtedly a better person.
—

Yikes.

Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:01 pm
GS, you in the right place? Your comments seem out of place.

Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:11 pm
===He’s made you a better commenter.===

I’d agree. More thoughtful for sure, and more thought provoking in the best ways.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:17 pm
It’s now s contest on which side can look most moderate. The battle is for public opinion.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:20 pm
It’s promising, but I’m not holding my breath. We’ve had promising before only to be disappointed.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:47 pm
Rauner should be commended for taking an important step toward compromise. I’m stunned. It seemed as if Rauner was itching for a fight with as many people as he could, as quickly as he could. Now, I’m just a tiny bit hopeful. I haven’t felt that since the transition team was announced.

Comment by AC Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:49 pm
No surprise that AFSCME agreed to an extension. They’ve done it before to avoid the disruption of services. Question still does Rauner want to avoid disruption in the long run, or is it just for now? Will he continue to insist on items that are part of his ideological agenda,or simply try to deal with issues affecting the budget? That will tell us what he’s really up to

Comment by Truthteller Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:55 pm
Good move.

Hope the roller coaster begins to level out some.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 8:59 pm
So Rauner really isn’t the anti-Christ? It was just regular negotiating and political posturing? I am shocked….

Comment by Holdingontomywallet Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 9:15 pm
That is good news, are they willing to work for free?

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 9:34 pm
Before folks put Rauner on a pedestal for agreeing to a one-month talks extension, has anyone really seen a change in Rauner’s fundamental anti-union beliefs. I haven’t. I fear this is either an effort to avoid another distraction during the budget war or an effort to bolster the fallacy that he’s negotiating in good faith.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 9:39 pm
Norseman has it right. The bigger fight is with the Speaker for now.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 10:18 pm
- Norseman -,

I’m trying to be half full here… lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 10:20 pm
I know Willy. I’ve been hoping for a long time that Rauner would prove me wrong. Let’s hope this truly is a glass half full.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 10:45 pm
Since there is still no budget, will they get paid while they continue to work?

Comment by Mama Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 10:48 pm
- Norseman - we are going to know soon enough how all this is going down.

Meanwhile, where is Leader Durkin?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 10:50 pm
I don’t know if this is superstar thinking or my governor going rouge using his own critical thinking? He would really throw everyone for a loop if backed a millionaire’s tax on himself.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 10:54 pm
Good question. As they say, his silence is deafening.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 10:59 pm
You were On It. What does the staffer say/write to help GOP members on that.

Which is why I am taking this move as half full.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 11:06 pm
== Who bet August on a signed budget? ==

I still say October before it is all finalized.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 11:30 pm
Organization is the mobilization of bias. What is going g on behind the scenes?

Comment by William Jennings Bryan Thursday, Jun 25, 15 @ 11:42 pm
Can anyone answer if we will get our step raises????

Comment by Jamie Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 12:42 am
Well now we know when everyone hits the sack….

Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 5:21 am
I would say the extension was contingent on no step increases while the step freeze proposal is one the table

Comment by Tango and Cash Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 5:29 am
No one believes Bruce Rauner suddenly became a modern incarnation of Pete Seeger and Mother Jones. He’s not about to deliver the equivalent of the Cross of Gold speech to a large audience. What he did was make a small, but positive step toward compromise, nothing more, nothing less.

Comment by AC Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 6:20 am
What a crock, IL is broke, what does everyone not understand, you can’t have everything… I say LOCKOUT and strike. let the chips fall where they may.

Comment by Allen D Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 7:18 am
Why does it seem like there’s been a recent increase in the number of comments recently that seem to be encouraging conflict? Moving away from strike and toward compromise, with both parties sacrifing something is the path forward. I like this state, it’s interesting, dynamic, diverse and worth saving. No one who cares about Illinois wants to encourage its destruction.

Comment by AC Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 7:28 am
While contract extensions have been fairly common in the past, i am pleasantly surprised to see this one. Some glimmer of hope……..

Comment by Former Merit Comp Slave Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 7:35 am
I would say it’s probably because he needs the end of the fiscal year processing done to cleanly close the books.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:00 am
I agree with Allen D. During that time the state workers and their family and friends should stop spending money in Illinios. Just stay home. I bet the “job creators” would love that since this is, after all, a supply side economy.

Comment by Tha missin g Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:02 am
The thing is Illinois is and has been broke for a ling time, the union (and I am a member) seems to want want want, and that is ok to ask for the moon but when it isn’t there to provide you can’t expect the state to just institute Tax to cover everything every time. that isn’t right.

Comment by Allen D Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:03 am
My hope is that this was done with the understanding that he’ll veto the no-strike/lockout bill at the end of July and with the understanding that the GA has the votes to override his veto. This gives him the cover to say he tried to stop it.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:19 am
=Nah. He’s caused you to reassess some of your partisan beliefs. He’s made you a better commenter. Undoubtedly a better person.=
Reporting from the sunny side of the street, I’m Rich Miller.

:)

Comment by Snucka Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:27 am
Nothing has changed.

Comment by tobor Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:37 am
Even I’m a bit relieved, at least we can breathe for a month. But as they say, they just kicked the can down the road, and we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. But alas I couldn’t think of any other metaphors to mix in.

As for you fellow members who are concerned about your raises and steps and all that…please, give it a rest. Take it for what it’s worth. Status quo compared to nothing *is* a raise. Wait a second….WAIT ONE GOLL DARNED SECOND…I just used Rauner logic. And they say a leopard can’t change his stripes.

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:50 am
Yes, Allen, the state has underfunded the pension for about 100 years. One way they could have saved money was by not hiring you since by hiring you, the state was promising s pension they couldn’t afford without raising taxes. So as a good citizen, you should give up that state job that the state cannot afford.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 8:52 am
@ 7:30 p.m. yesterday:

“And when they go on strike during the Illinois State Fair AFSCME will look even worse.”

AFSCME is not going to strike. It was AFSCME who pushed the no strike-no lockout bill, still unsigned.

Comment by Nick Name Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:00 am
I think that you guys are missing the fact that if there is no budget agreement in place, whether the contract has been extended is irrelevant, since the state comptroller won’t have permission to cut the checks. I hope that I’m wrong about that, but isn’t that what Ms. Munger warned last week?

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:00 am
PublicServant, that’s my understanding, too. I think the extension of the current contract just means no strike or lockout, but with no appropriation authority for FY16, the Comptroller still can’t issue checks so employees are still in danger of not getting paid after July 15th if no budget agreement is reached before then.

Comment by ??? Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:05 am
The point is that this is a good deal in these very uncertain times. What choice does anyone have at this point? I’m glad the two sides agreed to extend negotiations and contract protections.

On another note, SCOTUS just ruled in favor of gay marriage, I see. Awesome!

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:07 am
==AFSCME is not going to strike. It was AFSCME who pushed the no strike-no lockout bill, still unsigned.==

Nick Name, do you really think AFSCME pushed that bill because of their desire not to strike?

Comment by phocion Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:08 am
With no budget in place, paychecks will not be issued on the 15th - contract extension or not. Although I do view this as a positive I wouldn’t exactly be celebrating right now.

Comment by Stones Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:10 am
“Nick Name, do you really think AFSCME pushed that bill because of their desire not to strike?”

Yes, AFSCME pushed this bill to not strike. A strike could be very hard not only on thousands of state workers, but also on Illinois residents. It’s a very good idea in these very contentious times.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:10 am
Grandson, I must respectfully highlight that AFSCME wants this law now because they have never had to actually bargain in good faith with previous administrations. Mandatory arbitration weakens management at the bargaining table, which in the past was always weak because previous administrations were the beneficiaries of union campaign contribution largesse. The bill will be vetoed, and its ability to survive an override attempt will be interesting to watch.

Comment by phocion Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:15 am
Just like last time, the Comptroller can be court ordered to pay state employees. It’s not as if the cash isn’t there. The Comptroller just doesn’t have legal authority to expend funds without an approved budget or a court order.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:19 am
A Jack - do you remember when “last time” was? I’m not asking to challenge you, I honestly can’t remember. I remember some years back getting one of those loans that Credit Union 1 was offering to state employees who needed assistance during a budget impasse, but I ended up not really needing it because the budget situation got revolved shortly after that. I thought the resolution was that the GA passed a temporary budget until an agreement was reached. I don’t remember the court order. I tried Googling it, but couldn’t really find anything on it. Maybe I’m using the wrong search terms.

Comment by ??? Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:33 am
I understand why AFSCME members think SB 1229 is a good piece of legislation. But it should be a permanent bill - not one that sunsets after what AFSCME hopes will be Governor Rauner’s exit. And if Rauner wins reelection, then what? Does a pro-union legislator file lame duck legislation to extend the provisions another 4 years? What about 8? This is just as disingenuous as the same day voter registration lasting only through last November’s election.

Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 9:43 am
@phocion: AFSCME wants this law now because the gov isn’t bargaining in good faith. Rauneris once again at the extreme.

Comment by RD55 Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 10:17 am
Nick Name- yes, the Bill was pushed by AFSCME. The union and its members do NOT want a strike or a lockout. They want a fair Union contract, and this bill allows them to go to binding arbitration to get that fair contract. Can’t see a reason why the governor wouldn’t sign it, if he really is serious about expediting the process and negotiating in good faith.

Comment by Theo's Houseboy Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 11:04 am
Phocion- all binding arbitration does is bring an unbiased party in to decide issues. If keeping management from attempting to impose their will or force a strike (which Rauner has said he would welcome) is taking their power away, then they have too much power in the first place.

Comment by Theo's Houseboy Friday, Jun 26, 15 @ 11:07 am