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AFSCME claims threats, calls Rauner opposition “hysteria”

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* From AFSCME….

Governor Rauner and his allies are threatening your legislator, IL State House District 99 Raymond Poe, and other legislators if they stand up for workers’ rights. It is critically important that we provide a positive message of support and encouragement to state representatives to counter Rauner’s intimidation tactics.

The vote on SB 1229 is set for Wednesday. IL State House District 99 Raymond Poe needs to hear from you TODAY. Even if you’ve already called, call again right away. You can call our legislative hotline at 888-912-5959 with this message: Please vote YES to override the governor’s veto of SB 1229. Don’t give in to Rauner’s threats. Stand up for your constituents.

Rauner is doing everything in his power to prevent legislators from voting to override his veto of SB 1229. This critically important legislation would put the brakes on Rauner’s schemes to force state workers out on strike and try to break the union. Instead of allowing Rauner to lock out state workers, SB 1229 provides for an independent arbitrator to resolve the state contract dispute.

The governor’s hysteria over this bill is a plain indication that he is not willing to work toward a fair contract settlement, but rather is trying to provoke a confrontation. He’s looking for a way to impose his extreme demands on state employees. If he gets away with his scheme, every AFSCME member, no matter where they work, will be hurt—and public sector retirees will be hurt too.

SB 1229 simply extends to all state employees the same fair arbitration procedures in contract disputes that have applied to police officers, firefighters and other public safety employees for decades. The Fraternal Order of Police, the Associated Firefighters of Illinois and the Police Benevolent have all come out in support of the bill, pointing out that arbitration can be a means to avoid conflict and reach contract settlements that are fair to all.

Fortunately, the Illinois Senate has already rejected Rauner’s plan for massive disruption of public services by voting to override his veto of SB 1229. This week—likely in less than 48 hours—the House will vote on the veto motion. A three-fifths vote is required to override.

That’s why it’s so important that you can your representative right now. IL State House District 99 Raymond Poe needs to hear from you TODAY. Just call 888-912-5959 and follow the prompts to be connected to your legislator’s office. Our message: “Please vote YES to override the governor’s veto of SB 1229. Don’t give in to Rauner’s threats. Stand up for your constituents.”

Thank you.

In Unity,

Roberta Lynch
Executive Director

* I followed up about the alleged threats and was sent this…

As you know, Rauner has applied intense pressure on every Republican member (and some Dems) in the House to uphold the veto. His talking points handed out to the Republican Caucus calls SB1229 “especially dangerous” and an “affront to taxpayers” while his political arm “Turnaround Illinois” flooded targeted Republican House districts, including Poe’s, with robo calls calling it the “pick-your-pocket bill” and threatening “billions” in new taxes. One of our retiree members received 4 such calls in a day.

Our ask to our members is to call Representative Poe with a positive message that encourages him to vote based on what’s best for his constituents, not on Rauner’s over-the-top bombast.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 9:47 am

Comments

Funny how Rauner and his Illinois policy institute and Trib wingmen are making this out to be a “don’t cave to Madigan” issue.
What BS.

Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 9:57 am
Rauner “hysteria”?

“Simple”.

The Sente back page ad IS “Exhibit A” in hysteria.

Rauner better hope he wins this override battle, otherwise Rauner might “lose it” and we’ll get even more campaigning then we see now, if that’s even possible…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 9:58 am
That was AFSCME’s definition of threats and hysteria? The union appears to be just as freaked out. This bill is so short sighted on multiple levels. It lasts only during the (first) term of Governor Rauner. It puts a major budget item (labor costs) in the hands of an Arbitrator, similar to all the court orders that have kept the state spending machine going and running up the deficit, and ties the hands of the executive branch, at least any “Republican” branch.

An override would harm the State far more than help it right now. The over the top rhetoric of AFSCME is proof.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 9:59 am
Under Quinn, the GA instituted a system of cks and balances for AFSCME negotiated pay raises. Why should Rauner be held in higher regard than Quinn by this GA?

Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:02 am
=== similar to all the court orders that have kept the state spending machine going and running up the deficit, and ties the hands of the executive branch, at least any “Republican” branch. ===

You mean the court orders Rauner was for?

Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:03 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

You made a point recently that the budget and SB1229 were “the same”, can you elaborate on that?

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:05 am
What I don’t understand is AFSCME not bringing up the woman’s issue: under Union payscales unions are THE place where the pay for work done by a man is identical to the same pay for a woman. Opposition to unions can be legitimately claimed as opposition to women.

Comment by Ben Franklin Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:05 am
The AFL-CIO did a robocall in Jack Franks’ district yesterday. No stone’s being left unturned.

Comment by Walker Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:07 am
There’s hysteria alright. It’s just that it’s location has been misidentified.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:08 am
“Arbitrator” should be used loosely on this issue. It’s not a negotiation between Gov. & AFSCME. The arbitrator will either pick Gov’s 0% raises OR unions 12-29% raises over the next 4 years. That’s it. The arbitrator does not have the ability to say “well 0% isn’t fair, but 29% isn’t fair either, so let’s split down to middle.” It’s one side or the other folks.

Comment by Impaired & Diminished Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:09 am
Louis- How is a strike good for the state? AFSCME will strike! What Rauner will impose on us is unacceptable to anyone! Would you pay 500% more for your health insurance. Would you accept having the worst state health insurance plan in the country? EXACTLY EQUAL TO THE LOWEST LEVEL OF OBAMACARE? 47 States have Platinum plans 2 have Gold, we would have bronze! Would you accept that? My God people, the poor folks I serve at DHS can barely get Dr.s to accept their plan. I don’t deserve to be treated like a medicare recipient with my healthcare! SB 1229 stands=STRIKE

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:09 am
- A Guy -,

Rauner wants full page ads for ONE member of the GA?

That’s hysterics and hysterical/funny too.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:11 am
“It’s one side or the other folks.”

I believe it’s also each sides final offer they look at as well. So just because each side are where they are currently does not mean that is where there final offer will end up. I can see both sides final offers ending around what the truckers had. Rauner’s offer will be a little worse(pay more into health care) and the unions will be a little better(more than a pay freeze but not at 12%).

Comment by Person 8 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:12 am
You tell him Honey Bear

Comment by Triple fat Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:13 am
I think y’all meant “call” here …

“That’s why it’s so important that you can your representative right now.”

Comment by Whoops Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:19 am
I think you mean Medicaid, not Medicare, Honeybear. But besides that, well said.

Comment by MurMan Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:21 am
I think many forget the whole purpose behind this bill: to get Rauner to negotiate instead of pushing to get to impasse. I doubt they’d be all that far apart on wages if both sides knew they’d being to arbitration.

Comment by Theo's House Boy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:23 am
Sorry typing too fast. I don’t deserve to be treated like a MEDICAID recipient not medicare recipient. And when I say that I mean treated poorly by doctors and healthcare establishments. I work so hard to treat all those who come to me for help with dignity and worth. At the same time I also protect the peoples money from those who should not have benefits.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:25 am
If Dems override this veto, they will own the ensuing tax rate increase. 2 years and $40 million will be spent making sure every voter knows what D increased their rate. Everyone know the rate needs to be increased, but voters are uniformed and can be swayed by silly ads.

Comment by Impaired & Diminished Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:29 am
==The arbitrator will either pick Gov’s 0% raises OR unions 12-29% raises over the next 4 years. That’s it.==

No, that is not it. Each side puts its best offer forward prior to arbitration. That tends to moderate each side’s offer, since they know the arbitrator will pick one or the other.

And arbitration is required only if first negotiations fail - and then after that mediation fails.

Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:35 am
Impaired, the arbitrator picks between the proposals on the table at the point of impasse, not the unrealistic starting point. And, since arbitrators tend to get sold on what looks most reasonable, both parties have motivation to stay in there, negotiate and put moderate proposals on the table. The point of this bill is to get negotiations moving and protect the citizens of Illinois in the event of shenanigans.

Comment by Neveranonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:35 am
I have a feeling that AFSCME wants this bill so that they don’t need to worry about a strike. I mean, the strike is the nuclear option in the union’s arsenal and it seems unusual to me that AFSCME is going to just give it away in exchange for interest arbitration? It seems to me that it’s plausible that the union doesn’t want to strike - they would have too many mouths to feed and not enough in the coffers to feed them.

With this legislation, status quo is solidified and dynamic change won’t happen. Look at what happened with police and fire unions during the great recession. It wasn’t until budgets were breaking that arbitrators finally got the picture and started siding with employers.

Interest arbitration should be reserved for critical public safety services only - some state employees might meet that standard and some won’t.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:36 am
@ Imp &Dim
Would you prefer we not payoff our obligations? How is THAT fiscally responsible. It’s too late, we already spent it, now we have to pay the bills. That’s mature stewardship.

Comment by Ben Franklin Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:36 am
Impaired & Diminished, any tax increase will be signed by Rauner. Get that! If that is hard to understand, write it 100 times.

1) “Rauner has to sign a tax increase, the Dems can’t pass and override an increase.”

2) “Rauner has to sign a tax increase, the Dems can’t pass and override an increase.”

3) …

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:38 am
Norseman-ummm, Dems original bill to increase taxes (doesn’t come for Executive branch), Gov veto, Dems then use super majority to override veto, hence owning the increase. Gov doesn’t introduce legislation, House and Senate does. Might want to write that down 100 times.

Comment by Impaired & Diminished Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:49 am
AFSCME wants this bill because they know a strike is not in their best interest and that it most likely wont happen. So knowing that their best negotiating tool is not going to happen they are looking for another tool and this is their best option. Without it they will “loose” (in their mind) the negotiations.

Comment by CB Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:49 am
Here’s thought I don’t see stated often enough: when Rauner demands a wage freeze on paper, in reality he’s demanding state workers to take a pay cut. Inflation eats away at the buying power of a dollar, so the $$$ a worker makes now won’t get him/her as far in four years. The rate at which inflation occurs and/or how the buying power of a dollar changes during those four years is another story.

Comment by Sick & Tired Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:50 am
If SB 1229 is not overridden, the budget impasse will continue while Rauner continues to push his anti-union agenda.

The end result will be a devastating tax increase because the state has fallen so far behind or a massive bond issue which will likely cause the state’s bond rating to fall. Either way, Rauner has painted himself in a corner. If SB 1229 is overridden, it will allow the Governor and the GA to move forward.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:51 am
- Impaired & Diminished -

===Norseman-ummm, Dems original bill to increase taxes (doesn’t come for Executive branch), Gov veto, Dems then use super majority to override veto, hence owning the increase. Gov doesn’t introduce legislation, House and Senate does. Might want to write that down 100 times.===

Governors sign revenue increases.

Have you met Jack Franks.

You know “enough” to show you really know nothing about the workings of government.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:51 am
I know enough that I won’t get to collect 80% of my average last 4 years of salary in retirement.

Comment by Impaired & Diminished Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:55 am
===I know enough that I won’t get to collect 80% of my average last 4 years of salary in retirement.===

lol.

At least you admit you know little if nothing to the governing and the politics.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 10:57 am
Thanks Willy, I was away for a bit and you saved me the trouble of responding to Impaired & Diminished. I love it when people stick to a line of rhetoric and don’t even read what’s posted. That puts I&D in troll status as far as I’m concerned.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:18 am
Neither apparently does I&D know anything about SERS benefits.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:19 am
Poe should vote his conscience. Neither ASFCME nor Rauner can take him out of that district.

Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:19 am
“===You made a point recently that the budget and SB1229 were “the same”, can you elaborate on that?===”

Court ordered spending and binding Arbitration spending are not similar or the same in your eyes? That has been the point I have been making.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:31 am
No logical reason Franks or any R vote for the override.
Voting for this makes the budget situation worse, unclear as to how much worse, but defiantly worse. Massive tax hike coming regardless but if you vote for this there is no way you can be against increased revenues. You’re going to have to pay for the AFSCME contract that the arbitrator picks regardless. Any R’s in the house want to be the lone republican to cross over and support the largest increase in Illinois history? Show of hands? Anyone? Unes? Poe? McCaullife? Hammond? Who wants to own a massive tax hike?

Comment by Anon2U Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:31 am
I&D, the pension is only 75% max and you have to work 45 years for the state to get that much.

You may want to visit the state’s retirement website to keep from looking uninformed when commenting on pension issues.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:32 am
“threatening “billions” in new taxes” Threat? It’s a fact.

All this political posturing is so silly. This is math. Rauner knows it. Moody’s knows it.

I still think there is a small probability that Mr. Big Money is trying to ruin someone/something that is holding Illinois debt. If that’s true, a default in important bonds is needed. HINT TO MUNGER — end your pain…Default now.)

or….possibly… We can look forward to the Rauner Revenue Act to be introduced soon.

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:33 am
@Honeybear, you want to strike, go right ahead. That is part of the process at times. You want better benefits. Negotiate them. Labor negotiations not as easy as some feel they are.

Nothing like a baseball game when after the 7th inning, the umpires (legislature) suddenly tell the batter, “ball three, take your base!” Changing the rules in the middle of the negotiation, for ONE governor only, is lousy behavior that will cost our state dearly in my humble opinion.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:36 am
- Louis G Atsaves -

Are you sure you weren’t making that point, or would you like me to point out where specifically you said that?

Your choice.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:36 am
Anon2U is clearly a member of the Rauner administration. Maybe their superstar in charge of trolling capfax comments… We’ll find out tomorrow if any R doesn’t buy Rauner’s rhetoric or not. Until then, let’s refrain from simply posting partisan talking points in the comment section as if those ideas are an original thought.

Comment by MurMan Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:37 am
@Sick & Tired - It depends on how a wage freeze is defined. Does that includes step increases that are written into the contract that exist outside the more highly-publicized raise?

I agree that overall compensation should take inflation into account. But if AFSCME keeps their health benefit structure, for example, it probably comes at the cost of salary increases.

Comment by nixit71 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:39 am
@sick and tired, “The latest inflation rate for the United States is 0.2% through the 12 months ended July 2015 as published by the US government on August 19, 2015.”

So over four years at this pace it would still less than 1% (0.8%). Inflation as reducing wages in this economy is a non-starter argument.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:40 am
@Oswego Willy, “===Are you sure you weren’t making that point, or would you like me to point out where specifically you said that?===”

Very sure. You have tried to twist what I was saying in the past on this subject. I forgive you for this.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:42 am
==That’s it. The arbitrator does not have the ability to say “well 0% isn’t fair, but 29% isn’t fair either, so let’s split down to middle.” It’s one side or the other folks.==

So what does it tell you about which side’s proposal is more reasonable, when one side is promoting the bill with all they have and the other side is denouncing it as the worst bill in history?

Comment by Anon. Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:44 am
How is passing a budget, legislatively, similar to arbitration?

I’ve never heard of a bill passed as an arbitrated all or nothing.

You sure the passing of legislation - Louis G Atsaves - is similar to union negotiations?

Nothing to forgive, they aren’t similarz

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:52 am
@ Anon2U,11:31 How can you say that with a straight face? Do you keep up on your reading? I am not impressed with your grasp of the fundamental facts. Seems like your position is a mix of some pretty low-grade assertions.

If the GA hadn’t fallen for one of Rauner’s first tricks, and allowed the 5% income tax to expire, there would be no “largest increase in Illinois history.”

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:08 pm
- Anon2U -

With respect,

The revenue increase is coming no matter what.

Period.

It is.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:10 pm
@OW - I agree. 4.75% is heading north on I-55 now…

But every dollar saved in this negotiation (or any other) is a dollar that goes towards another expense, capital expenditure, or pension debt. Opportunity costs are just as important as actual costs.

Comment by nixit71 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:23 pm
Anon2u

Let me help you out. A large possibly Quinian tax hike is coming. You see it’s called math. Rauner will put every R vote on it as well as sign it. This is coming no matter what the fate of sb1229 or the negotiations it deals with. If AFSCME had accepted the first offer by the gov it would still be coming. The governor is playing you fot a fool he is going to reach in your pocket and take more cash he knows it anddep down so do you. He is blaming AFSCME because it is expedient. If the bill fails and he succesfully imposes his contract it will still be AFSCME and the corrupt dems who forced him to. The truth is really quite simple the state is spending more than it takes in much of which is mandated by court order and prior obligations. What remains is so politically toxic that neither BVR or tge G.A. have the will to cut to any extent.

We can stomp our feet and hold our breath but in the end tge equation can’t balance without the added revenue.

But hey el governorte will save you.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:29 pm
SB 1229 Stands=AFSCME Strike. I don’t want a strike. That is the last thing I want. I’ll take a mediocre contract at this point. BUT NOBODY CAN TAKE A 500% INCREASE IN HEALTHCARE COSTS! SB 1229 forces Rauner to stay at the table or move to the middle. It only forces arbitration IF they can’t cut a deal at the table. Rauner wants impasse. Rauner longs for the Ragnarok of Labor, the final battle. Believe me or don’t believe me, I don’t care at this point. Rauners only goal is to destroy labor. Many of you still think that Rauner wants to govern. He doesn’t. So I’m going to take a lesson from OW and put it in simple terms.
SB1229 stands=AFSCME strike
SB1229 stands=AFSCME strike
or better
SB1229 stands=AFSCME strike=State of CHAOS

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:31 pm
When AFSCME tells me what they’re asking for and I think it’s fair is when I’ll do my part. Until then. Forget it. I’m sick of being kept in the dark. As a union dues paying member, don’t I have the right to know what they are demanding? I’m sure it’s something ridiculous, as usual. We don’t need cost of living increases. We need our insurance to stay the same. Step increases to stay put, etc.

Comment by Afscme Worker Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:37 pm
-But every dollar saved in this negotiation (or any other) is a dollar that goes towards another expense, capital expenditure, or pension debt. Opportunity costs are just as important as actual costs.-

Okay then let’s talk about the costs of a statewide AFSCME strike. What about those costs which could be totally avoided by an override of SB1229.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:38 pm
I don’t think it’s the money at all that has AFSCME worried. It’s all the other stuff, negotiated and won over many years that the Governor’s demanded to do away with and won’t withdraw, that has AFSCME in a corner..

Comment by Mouthy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Who on the R side is going to vote for a tax hike? Who? Who?
: )

yes, I know one is coming. There is just no way it gets any bipartisan support. Dems have not given Rauner or the Minority party anything. ANYTHING. No reforms at all. The well has been poisoned.

Comment by Anon2U Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:42 pm
Impaired & Diminished
There is no doubt the Rauner crew and his cabal of monied interests will use the override as a way to save face on revenue enhancements.
Good call.
Rauner et al is definitely looking for a way to save face, and the override may be their gift.

Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:45 pm
==When AFSCME tells me what they’re asking for and I think it’s fair is when I’ll do my part. Until then. Forget it. I’m sick of being kept in the dark. As a union dues paying member, don’t I have the right to know what they are demanding? I’m sure it’s something ridiculous, as usual. We don’t need cost of living increases. We need our insurance to stay the same. Step increases to stay put, etc.==

You need to be on the negotiating team or wait like all your fellow members for your union’s negotiating team to bring home a tentative agreement. Nipping at their heels doesn’t help them out..

Comment by Mouthy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:49 pm
Afscme worker- during negotiations, the proposals on the table *should* stay at the table. As a dues paying member, you have a right to see and vote on a contract before it’s signed. As someone who sits in the negotiation room, I can tell you honestly that what is being proposed on the union side is fairly modest. If you’re unwilling to accept this information and believe that AFSCME should update you and all the other members on their proposals, then there isn’t much I can do to help you.

Comment by Theo's House Boy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:52 pm
=== Who on the R side is going to vote for a tax hike? Who? Who?
: ) ===

The Owl, that’s who. Rep. Sandack will have to bite the bullet and vote for it if that’s what Rauner wants.

Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:52 pm
Anon2u

Btw. If I’m MJM the only ones I excuse are the R’s who vote yes tomorrow. The more cash BVR spends to get out the R heretics the less he can spend on Dems.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:54 pm
Anon2U, there won’t be a tax increase without GOP votes for it. Even if Madigan was willing to have Dems unilaterally pass and override a tax increase, which he is not, but if he was the Dems still don’t have 71 votes. Jack Franks has never vot Ed for a tax increase and he is not about to start now…

The state will run out of money and Rauner will have to either put Rs on a tax increase or let IL government grind to a halt. As long as SB 1229 is overridden, the Dems can just wait it out and wait for Rauner to cave.

Comment by MurMan Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:56 pm
And further, Afscme worker, if you’d like to be more involved in the process talk to your local about becoming a steward. Then you could run to represent your bargaining unit as a delegate on the negotiation team in four years, assuming Rauner doesn’t get his way and we still have a functioning Union.

Comment by Theo's House Boy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 12:59 pm
MurMan,
override 1229 and Madigan makes it easy for Rauner to do nothing and yes, let state govt grind to a halt. Madigan thinks that there is some sort of mutually assured destruction protection here but there is not. Rauner more than happy to have Madigan not be able to fund all his programs he’s put in place over the decades. Cuts become real easy when you have mass chaos. Bond rating cuts, no cash flow, Chicago sinking in its own debt etc makes blowing the whole thing up and starting on a new path pretty doable.

Comment by Anon2U Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:10 pm
A question for the AFSCME state workers on here.. Would you accept the same contract that the Teamsters are agreeing to? If so why not?

Comment by CB Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:13 pm
“Cuts become real easy when you have mass chaos.”

That’s pretty sick.

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Anon2u

Seriously is that before or after the cat 5 hurricane whipes Chicago off the map?

So in your opinion the Governor should hold out till the state defaults and fails all it’s obligations. Wow. So insolvency is better than governing. Assuming Rauner wants to get reelected how do you think that’ll work? After all if the state is insolvent doesn’t that make Rauner the worst chief executive in U.S. history.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:23 pm
Cb

Not a state worker however I have many friends from when I was. If the equivalent deal was on the table with healthcare staying more or less equivalent to now they’d vote for that in a New York minute.

That deal isn’t on the table. Those teamsters get the AFSCME negotited healthcare to the best of my knowledge. It’s apples and oranges.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:27 pm
Mason,
You assume too much. What’s leading you to believe he wants to get reflected? Certainly not his governing.

We have two paths, follow Madigan as he continues to kill the state or cut off the gangrene and try and save what’s left.

No, it’s not pretty at all. But we find ourselves sailing right into a Cat 5 as you describe it.

Capt. Rauner see’s sailing into it as the way to get the rats off the ship even if with the risk of sinking the ship. A ballsy risk indeed!

Comment by Anon2U Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:37 pm
==cut off the gangrene==

So far the “gangrene” has been the elderly and children…

Comment by HangingOn Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:41 pm
That CPI inflation over the prior 12 months was only 0.2% has mostly to do with the collapse in crude oil prices, which will not be repeated in the next four years (oil will either stay low, where it is now, or it will sharply increase). Based on yields on ordinary 5 year Treasury bonds and Treasury Inflation Protection Securities yields, the breakeven consensus inflation rate over the next 5 years is currently about 1.25% annually. So if AFSCME signs onto a 4 year wage freeze, that would be the equivalent of about a 5% expected salary cut in real terms over four years, on top of huge increases in health insurance premiums that Rauner is demanding.

Comment by Andy S. Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:47 pm
CB- again comparing the Teamsters and AFSCME deals are like comparing apples and elephants. That being said. I would take.
1)Salary Freeze
2)Step increase freeze
3)I’d even accept 1 less holiday.
4)Honestly I’d take a slight increase in healthcare. From Platinum(48 states to Gold(1 state).
5)leave everything else the same as the current contract.
To sum it up Freeze the financials,slight increase in health, give up a holiday, and keep the rest the same.
I think that is super reasonable. It also is exactly what we’d probably get going to arbitration.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:48 pm
“Dems have not given Rauner or the Minority party anything” So I guess Worker’s Comp reporm and 5 property tax cut bills are “Nothing?”

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:06 pm
I prefer the garden metaphor to ships and rats in Cat 5 wind and waves.

Let’s provide some sunshine, fertilizer, some water to all the plants that need to grow to have a bountiful harvest (society).

This is much preferable to the Rauner scorched earth policy.

Round-up, matches and lighter-fluid, do not a garden grow.

Comment by cdog Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:10 pm
The override of SB 1229 will prevent a state government shutdown. It will also help support the middle class by saving collective bargaining.

After they have lowered the standard of living of public employees they will come after the private sector middle class employees. Oh wait, too late, they have already done that by lowering wages and turning so many private pensions into 401k plans plus social security and medicare.

Comment by Enviro Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:19 pm
As long as you continue to work, you will get paid (that is the law). If you go on strike, you will not get paid.

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:55 pm
-As long as you continue to work, you will get paid (that is the law). If you go on strike, you will not get paid.-

You’ll get paid your 30 pieces of silver all right. And you’ll cross that picket line of your coworkers WHO NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU DID TO THEM.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:20 pm
==WHO NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU DID TO THEM.==

Jeez, calm down already.

Look, I get your outrage. But AFSCME is not playing this smart. Your suggested outcome was smart. Call your union reps and ask them why they aren’t suggesting it.

And if the union wants to give people grief over crossing a picket line so be it. But I think that kind of militancy also plays into the Governor’s narrative about AFSCME.

What’s the solution? Don’t strike. That would be a very bad blunder on the part of AFSCME. The Governor would bury them in the PR war. He already is doing a good job. AFSCME doesn’t need to help him.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:34 pm
Honeybear

Don’t forget before you strike you need a successful strike vote. I’m not sure where AFSCME will put the threshold but a failed strike is the same bad outcome plus a few weeks to moths of missed income. You want those folks unwilling to go the distance to vote no freely before the rest of you are out.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:41 pm
- Your suggested outcome was smart. Call your union reps and ask them why they aren’t suggesting it.-

I’m just a steward and not in the negotiation. Mine is to hold the line and lead from the front.
“I count as failure to falter, not to die” Mother Jones

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:59 pm
Honeybear,

Your veiled threats and references to Judas are a little over the top. If you don’t want members to cross the line then don’t strike, or at least have a viable strike fund so that people don’t have to sacrifice their own well-being.

Man…

Comment by Phenomynous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:09 pm
Nothing veiled about it Phenomynous.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:44 pm
Honeybear

Let’s not forget that a union is made up of individuals. Each of which has a unigue financial and family situation. Some may feel as strongly as you do but don’t have options to keep the lights on and food on the table. It isn’t that black and white.

Besides the last thing you want to do is threaten no votes ibto yes votes. If this goes long they will cross and you will win nothing and lose a months pay to boot.

Personally I hope it is all resolved tomorrow and that part of this carnival show can close.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:58 pm