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* Finke…
The Rauner administration said Monday it has reached tentative or final agreements on new labor contracts with five groups of Teamsters units representing about 4,600 workers statewide.
The announcement comes as the Illinois House prepares to return to Springfield on Wednesday and possibly vote on overriding Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of Senate Bill 1229. The bill, pushed by Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, would place contract talks in the hands of an independent arbitrator in the event an agreement cannot be reached at the bargaining table.
The Rauner administration has previously used settlements with Teamsters locals as evidence that it bargains in good faith and can reach contract settlements with unions representing public employees.
In a statement, the administration said it has reached final or tentative agreements with all Teamsters units with which it negotiates labor contracts.
* From the governor’s office…
The terms of the agreement include:
· Maintenance of the current level of health care benefits for employees and their dependents as part of the State’s continued contributions to the independent Teamsters Local 727 Health & Welfare Fund.
· A four-year wage freeze, continuing the 75% in-hire rate.
· Continuation of a 40-hour work week.
· A new performance incentive program to reward employees with bonuses for cost-saving measures and meeting or exceeding performance metrics.
· A collaborative program that allows management and the Teamsters to work together to provide low-cost alternatives to outsourcing.
· A reduction in the payout for accumulated unused vacation from 75 to 45 days for employees hired after January 1, 2016.Status with various Teamster bargaining units:
· Teamsters Local 700 (Cook County highway maintainers): 300 members; agreement ratified by members.
· Teamsters Local 700 (Master Sergeants): 200 members; agreement ratified by members.
· Teamsters Local 330 (suburban group): 300 members; tentative agreement signed; members will hold ratification vote in the next few weeks.
· Teamsters Local 916 (Protech): 1100 members; tentative agreement signed; members will hold ratification vote in the next few weeks.
· Teamsters Downstate Illinois State Employee Negotiating Committee: 2700 members; tentative agreement signed; members will hold ratification vote in the next few weeks.
* And the react from John T. Coli, the Teamsters Union’s International Vice President for the Central Region…
“Members of the Rauner Administration proved to be tough, but reasonable and honest negotiators. They compromised and gave concessions to us in order to reach an agreement that was fair to the state as well as the Teamsters. Our negotiations prove that when both sides come to the table and leave political agendas at the door, the citizens of Illinois benefit.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 1:59 pm
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Again proving Rauner can work with labor and is not unreasonable when negotiating.
Good on both the Teamsters and the administration.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:02 pm
Dear AFSCME,
Can you square this up for me as you say Rauner will not negotiate in good faith?
“mbers of the Rauner Administration proved to be tough, but reasonable and honest negotiators. They compromised and gave concessions to us in order to reach an agreement that was fair to the state as well as the Teamsters. Our negotiations prove that when both sides come to the table and leave political agendas at the door, the citizens of Illinois benefit.”
Comment by Anon2U Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:02 pm
talk about in the tank–ask Coli who drafted his quote!
Comment by anon Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:03 pm
The Governor actually promised incentives to workers pretty much from day one and so far as I can tell none of these incentives have been proposed, implemented, or discussed with any of the state’s actual work force and I haven’t seen or heard about any major changes that demonstrate that a new sherrif is in town and attempting to implement administrative reforms to the agencies.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:06 pm
“Is this a deal Rauner and AFSCME could live with?”
“Do the parameters of the Teamsters deal match up with what AFSCME has on the table specific to what the framework of a contract could look like?”
“If there are ‘differences’, what parameters by both sides get to an agreement?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:06 pm
Of course, the Teamsters Protech workers health insurance is deemed based on what AFSCME negotiates…
Comment by AC Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:11 pm
Notice - Teamsters are not covered under state employee health insurance and the state contribution to the Teamsters health insurance plan will continue. You cannot compare apples and oranges.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:11 pm
“Can you square this up for me as you say Rauner will not negotiate in good faith?” Is that the offer he made to AFSCME? Is that anything close to the offer he made to AFSCME? Until you can answer “yes” to both of those, then it doesn’t square at all.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:11 pm
I think one major difference in that contract compared to AFSCME is health care cost. Pretty sure Teamsters don’t have the same health care and therefore a wage freeze is ok. I know many AFSCME members that are OK with being “frozen” for a couple years but from everything I have heard, being frozen on top of paying out the ying yang for health care is not a good deal. Most of us are willing to help but there is a point where helping stops and hurting begins.
Comment by Cmon Now Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:13 pm
The contracts of the teamsters and AFSCME are not apples to apples. AFSCME does not have a health and welfare fund they have health insurance which the state is asking for a 400% increase. Many of the economical proposals have yet to be discussed with AFSCME so who knows what they may agree to. As well they have not even ratified the contract with several locals Let’s see how that works out!!!!!
Comment by Contracts different than AFSCME Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Continuation of a 40-hour work week?! Um, AFSCME has clearly stated 37.5 hours is the standard work week.
Comment by nixit71 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:16 pm
I’m surprised AFSCME hasn’t asked for the Teamsters deal yet.
Comment by Tournaround Agenda Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:16 pm
“Cook County workers will get 10.75% raise over 5 years”
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-cook-county-union-pacts-0611-20150610-story.html
That was negotiated by Teamsters Local 700 - the first Teamsters Local to negotiate a 0% raise for 4 years for state employees. If I were one of those state employees getting 0% over 4 years, I’d think my union sold me short.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:17 pm
The Teamsters locals, at least, know how to use leverage.
They’re the beards for the rest of Rauner’s anti-union agenda.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:18 pm
The deal Teamsters got didn’t touch healthcare from what I read. The deal for AFSCME includes HUGE increases in worker healthcare costs and also big pension changes. So they are not apples to apples.
Comment by chiagr Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:19 pm
It seems that there is still a step type increase in place. The wage freeze possibly means no yearly cola.
Comment by Johnnie F. Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:20 pm
Good one for team Rauner. Never doubted he had professional and serious contract negotiators. Still worry where and when other political agendas might intrude.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:21 pm
Interesting that John Coli, the Teamsters Union’s International Vice President for the Central Region, quoted above, was recently named by Governor Rauner to a seat on the Illinois Labor Advisory Board, which assists the state labor department on employment policies, laws and regulations.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:23 pm
A four year salary freeze? Why even belong to a Union? Just because the Teamsters say that Rauner negotiated in good faith with them doesn’t mean he will do the same with AFSCME. He’s dealing with far more workers with AFSCME and there is much more money that can be potentially saved by sticking it to them. Is anyone else suspicious that this agreement was announced just one day before the House votes on SB1229? Obviously this was done to hopefully convince legislators that Rauner can be trusted to reach an acceptable deal with AFSCME without the potential need of an arbitrator. Unfortunately we’re dealing with an administration that has not engendered any trust by their actions these past 7 months. If the override is unsuccessful I am looking for the workers to be locked out, with would make the current situation even much more chaotic and hurt a lot of people.
Comment by The Dude Abides Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Don’t know why Rauner would care so much about the arbitration bill he vetoed. If this were apples to apples (I doubt) this would obviously be used as an example during an arbitration.
I also believe the Teamsters represent workers with higher wages. If this is true then obviously the proposed health care changes for AFSME are a much bigger hit to the pocket for their members.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Anyone supporting an SB1229 override needs a new justification for doing so, and needs it quickly. The current argument just got shredded.
Tomorrow’s override vote just became a public exhibit of whether or not a “corrupt bargain” really exists in Springfield, and who is a part of that bargain.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Coli’s kid has a 100k appointment too
Comment by anon Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:29 pm
==”Maintenance of the current level of health care benefits for employees and their dependents”==
That is a far cry from the Rauner proposal to raise from 19% to 40%, the percent that state and state university employees pay for their health care premiums. And Rauner also wants to put state and state university employees into a 60/40 ins plan where the emplyee pays 40% of a health care bill.
http://www.sj-r.com/article/20150221/NEWS/150229852
I have not seen anywhere where Rauner has retreated from those demands.
Comment by Joe M Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:30 pm
” - Anonymous - “,
Next time, please, add “Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls… ”
If you want to shill, please don’t shill half way.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:31 pm
Governor Walker said it best… In dealin with Unions the idea is to divide and conquer.
Comment by Triple fat Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:31 pm
John, John, John, John, John…
Comment by Austin Blvd Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:31 pm
“The current argument just got shredded.” No it didn’t. Just because he agreed with one union doesn’t mean he’s bargaining in good faith with another.
Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:31 pm
The massive insurance rate increase/benefit cut is the elephant in the room. Those proposals are not behind closed doors. Madigan included the Rauner savings in the Democrats budget.
Comment by LIberty Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:32 pm
Only two of the agts are ratified by mbrs so these “deals” could still not happen. So 4100 of the 4600 workers referenced have not ratified. If I were rank and file I would not be happy. This is a pr stunt by Rauner’s folks. I hope every one is not as naive as some seem to be here.
Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:35 pm
Ok IMHO it’s time for AFSCME to come out and state they’d be happy to take the teamsters deal right now. Rauner eants to show how fair he is take him up on the bluff. When he refuses which he will you reinforce that Sb1229 is about unfair negotiations by the gov. Of course u need his rejection before tomorrow’s vote.
Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Of the five locals, only the smallest two voted to ratify. Let’s see how the ratification vote goes with the other three locals.
Comment by Buzzie Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:39 pm
Willy
I’d say the teamster comment shows how your labor working together admonition is going. It was good advice though.
Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:40 pm
- Mason born -
Yep. Rauner doesn’t fear the Labor Movement. Why should he?
I have yet to see the Labor Movement understand the stakes here, and the importance of it.
They don’t.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:43 pm
SB1229 stands=AFSCME Strike= State of Chaos
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:43 pm
If AFSCME strikes, it will be the beginning of the end for them.
Rauner needs a strike right now. Needs it. Begging for it.
“Why?”
It puts front and center the demise of collective bargaining, and gives Rauner an enemy to seek like he cares about Illinois.
Elections have consequences. Rauner may get his dismanteling of unions yet…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:47 pm
I didn’t see this in the Teamsters agreement:
“Where there exists an underutilization of a minority class in a given geographical region and/or job category, the Agency, after utilizing the Upward Mobility Program where applicable, may in accordance with applicable law, fill the position at its discretion to address the underutilization.”
Puzzling.
Comment by Juvenal Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:47 pm
” - Anonymous - ”
Don’t forget to come up with a name, lol.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:48 pm
Are all of the anonymous comments completely ignorant in reference to the topic or do they just enjoy making absurd comments? Some others above have tried to explain it, but I will type slowly in hopes that some people can understand it this time (somewhat snark).
The main sticking point with AFSCME is the employee insurance. The administration wants cuts/concessions that employees can’t afford. The administration has banked on $500 million dollars in savings on the employee Healthcare alone. I believe it would be a safe bet that AFSCME would accept a contract that just kept things “as is” for the next four years. The administration has not and most likely will not offer such a contract.
There are other issues like seniority and bumping rights etc. that are sticking points too.
I agree with others that it is convenient that the contracts were settled the day before the House vote. I would love to read the actual contract for the IDOT and ISP people. What happens if they ratify the contracts and then the insurance changes because AFSCME agrees to a different insurance (remember AFSCME negotiates insurance for almost all state employees… Even some of the Teamsters at idot and isp).
I find it beyond absurd that the administration would basically say anyone who votes to override the veto tomorrow is racist. Really??? How low can you go (clearly lower than I thought possible).
Comment by ABC123 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:49 pm
If anyone on this blog believes a agreement reached between Rauner and 5830 TEAMSTERS shreds the argument to veto 1229 tomorrow, you better hope the marijuana decriminalization plan goes into effect real soon.
Comment by Tec Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:51 pm
The Teamsters are all about getting their members on the Teamster’s insurance plan. They push it in every negotiation. Not a bargain for the employee and not the equivalent of other state insurance plans.
Comment by Stones Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:52 pm
At a union meeting a few weeks ago, we were told about this possibility. Rauner gave his offer if teamsters eould move as many members as they could off state insurance to teamster insurance. AFSCME has no such plans. Still apples to oranges.
Comment by State peon Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:59 pm
===Anyone supporting an SB1229 override needs a new justification for doing so, and needs it quickly. The current argument just got shredded. ===
I would argue just the opposite. Rauner’s biggest argument is the arbitrator will side with the union. But the arbitrator will be able to look at this agreement and decide if it was reasonable and compare it to Rauners offer to AFSME. My guess is there will be major differences.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:01 pm
Anyone out there able to cite a how the Coli’s could discern “honesty” on the part of TeamBungle. No one believes this a trait they have evr experienced
Comment by Anonin' Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:04 pm
If the governor’s final negotiating position is similar to what the Teamsters got, why would his team be concerned about the matter going to an arbitrator? Perhaps the opposition to override of the SB1229 veto is an acknowledgment that they know the governor’s negotiating position is not as reasonable as the union’s. Maybe not.
Comment by Nickname#2 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:05 pm
==Continuation of a 40-hour work week?! Um, AFSCME has clearly stated 37.5 hours is the standard work week.==
37.5 is the standard work week. Different unions can have different work weeks. AFSCME is 37.5
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:10 pm
Seems pretty reasonable. Madigan says he has the votes for an override. Is he bluffing? I don’t think either Madigan or Rauner are above making a deal in the next 24 hours.
Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:10 pm
==A four year salary freeze?==
Just out of curiousity why would a wage freeze be unreasonable? I think the Governor has made all kinds of unreasonable demands. A wage freeze isn’t one of them.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:13 pm
@Demoralized - The work week was shortened to 37.5 hours to reduce hourly employee cost to the state. The difference between a 40 hour work week and a 37.5 hour work week are paid vs. unpaid breaks. At least, that’s my understanding. I have been known to be wrong on occasion.
Comment by Nickname#2 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:14 pm
===Interesting that John Coli, the Teamsters Union’s International Vice President for the Central Region, quoted above, was recently named by Governor Rauner to a seat on the Illinois Labor Advisory Board, which assists the state labor department on employment policies, laws and regulations.=====
====The Teamsters are all about getting their members on the Teamster’s insurance plan. They push it in every negotiation. Not a bargain for the employee and not the equivalent of other state insurance plans.====
These are facts, all this stuff about Rauner being reasonable with asfcme is non-sense.
AND… I voted yes to ratify one of the above contracts.
Override, Override, Override
Comment by TROOPER Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:15 pm
- Tec - Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 2:51 pm:
If anyone on this blog believes a agreement reached between Rauner and 5830 TEAMSTERS shreds the argument to veto 1229 tomorrow, you better hope the marijuana decriminalization plan goes into effect real soon.-
Um actually they only have an agt. with 500, the other 4100 rank and file mbrs have not ratified and have probably not even seen the agt. yet.
Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:17 pm
Don’t forget, this covers mostly employees in Cook County that were once apart of other agencies and were split off. You still have to deal with the trades, child care providers, hsp employees, AFSCME, FOP, Operating Engineers, Steelworkers, etc.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:20 pm
It will be interesting to see the details when the contracts are made public. I can’t take anything the Rauner admin says at face value.
Comment by Norseman Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:35 pm
John Coli created Local 700 in 2010. When he busted up Local 714, he took the high dues paying members (pharmacists, etc) and the politically lucrative movie and trade show divisions into his very own Local 727, a local he and his brother and son inherited from his dad.
Then he created Local 700 by dissolving Local 726 and Local 714’s public worker units into it. He intended for Strzechowski to run it, but the members don’t want a “leader” who has never negotiated a contract, handled grievances, or organized workers, and who can’t even file charges properly.
Public workers are under attack, including by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Members need a union that has the skills and guts to unite members, build public support and win gains.
That will never happen if Coli controls Local 700, because his goal is to trade labor peace and Teamster donations to politicians in exchange for perks and appointments
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:38 pm
In the seedy world of the Chicago unions and the political pawns they control, there is a family dynasty whose name is at the top of heap in terms of power and political muscle. That is the Coli family. Without the blessings of the Coli family and the union they control, Teamsters Local 727 and Joint Council 25 (the governing body of 20 Teamster locals in Illinois and Indiana), Chicago might not have Rahm Emanuel as its mayor and America might not have Barack Obama as its president. Now, however, the Coli union dynasty may be in jeopardy due to a RICO suit filed against several members of the Coli family, including John Coli, Sr., and Teamsters Local 727.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:40 pm
The teamsters are a very professional organization run by the most honest people in the state, I’d trust everything they say.
Comment by collio Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:40 pm
On August 15 Rauner appointed this …. to labor board even after his criminality. New him from the funeral home business and a guy he could work with.
“Rauner names powerful union boss to state labor panel”
Coli was an early and important backer of Emanuel’s first bid for mayor, in 2011, endorsing him even as most union leaders supported a rival candidate or remained neutral.
Last month, a Cook County judge ordered Coli and Local 700 to pay nearly $2 million in damages in a lawsuit over a broken lease for Teamsters offices in Des Plaines. In his ruling, Judge Raymond W. Mitchell wrote that Coli was the driving force behind “a scheme to defraud” the union’s landlords and also awarded the plaintiffs more than $300,000 in legal fees and costs.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:49 pm
Thoughts:
# Nice ‘bought & paid for’ commercial from Mr. Coli.
# Teamster think they won; got lucky by being used as a pawn one time - good luck.
# Transparent. “…reasonable and honest negotiators.” LOL. Since when? When it suited their spiel?
# “The Rauner administration has previously used settlements with Teamsters locals as evidence that it bargains in good faith and can reach contract settlements with unions representing public employees.”
Only when it suits their master plan. Have these folks forgotten the ‘destroy all Unions’ approach by The Wannabe Emperor?
Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:52 pm
He has extended the current contract for months while conducting negotiations, without asking any concessions for doing so. He has guaranteed no lockout, weakening his own position. He has shown he is a reasonable, honest negotiator while agreeing to a fair compromise with other labor groups.
What good faith does AFSCME offer in return? Attempting an end-run around the governor with SB1229. Rauner is hardly being the unreasonable one in the AFSCME negotiations.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:54 pm
Didn’t Mr.Coli just get appointed to the Labor Board?
http://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/7/71/921686/moodys-illinois-income-tax-budget
Comment by NewWestSuburbanGOP'er Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 3:56 pm
This is the most manipulative administration I’ve ever seen. I hope everyone’s enjoying being used. Gotta be pretty embarrassing being a teamster at this point.
Comment by Politix Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:01 pm
This proofs nothing!!! Apples and Oranges. Are the teamsters in on AFSME negotiations?? No!! And depending on who you believe, “ck” or the full page add in the trib, the administration is banking on $2 or $4 billion by avoiding arbitration. Both these numbers seem unreasonable and excessive. It would definitely be a huge pay cut for minority’s and white guys with seniority.
Comment by GOP Extremist Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:03 pm
i thought that was his relative on the state board (which is a huge conflict).
Comment by collio Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:10 pm
“That will never happen if Coli controls Local 700, because his goal is to trade labor peace and Teamster donations to politicians in exchange for perks and appointments”
Gov. Rod Blagojevich withdrew his embattled candidate for the Illinois tollway board Friday, following the disclosure that a union group headed by the nominee gave the governor’s campaign fund $100,000.
Blagojevich’s office said his decision came after Teamsters leader John T. Coli contacted the governor late Friday and said he no longer wanted to be considered for a seat on the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority board.
“I value John and accept his decision,” Blagojevich said. “Today I am withdrawing his nomination to the Toll Highway Authority Board.”
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:13 pm
Wow, great, just created 6 tier wage scale!!!! How kind of him. Start at 75% of top pay, each year increase 5%, to get to top pay. So I’m stuck at 75% for 4 years, with no promise of being bumped up next contract, means I loose almost $72000 in 4 years.
Comment by justaworker Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:16 pm
–Members of the Rauner Administration proved to be tough, but reasonable and honest negotiators.–
AFSME has never dealt with a tough negotiator, thus the crying and pouting to the general assembly. The reality is they are just as “extreme” as they are trying to portray the governor on this issue, they are just on the other side.
Comment by Ahoy! Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:24 pm
John T. Coli’s editorial in the Tribune concerning need for McCormick place investment and changes. Of course this had nothing to do with his support of Rahm, Rahm’s friendship with Rauner and the subsequent taxpayer financed $400 million redevelopment. Chips being called in.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-02/business/ct-biz-0703-outside-opinion-mccormick20110702_1_exhibitor-costs-contractors-mccormick-place
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:26 pm
The way it was explained to us at a ProTech meeting a few weeks ago was that AFSME still would negotiate for the retirees health but the current Local 916 members would move to the Local 727 plan with the state still paying their share of the premiums, while the employees would no longer pay a premium.
Unless there is something radically different that what was presented at that meeting, I think it will be ratified with little problem.
Comment by Milootis Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:37 pm
== The way it was explained to us at a ProTech meeting a few weeks ago was that AFSME still would negotiate for the retirees health but the current Local 916 members would move to the Local 727 plan with the state still paying their share of the premiums, while the employees would no longer pay a premium. ==
So, in other words, Rauner bought off the Teamsters with health insurance …
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:45 pm
RNUG, that is basically correct. Most of the locals were under the State’s plan. This moves them out of the State sponsored plan and into the Teamster sponsor plan. In exchange, the Teamster employees no longer have to pay any premiums, so they will get more money in their pocket. Which is quite different than the existing offer with AFSCME.
Comment by Juice Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 4:57 pm
Will the Teamsters take AFSCME into their plan? and will the Gov. agree to cover the entire cost of the insurance? Yea, I don’t think so.
Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:00 pm
Pro-tech (office worker) teamsters have a 37.5 hour work week now. Does this mean that we are moving to a 40 hour week like the rest of the teamsters?Considering that the union would only talk to us about healthcare at the last meeting, there was quite a bit of surprise at the officer today to hear that there is an agreement in place…
Comment by 916 Teamster Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:09 pm
How can the Democrats vote for an override of 1229 because Rauner’s position on health care increases is too extreme when their own proposal counted 500 million in savings?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:09 pm
916 Teamster, no agreement until the rank and file ratify it.
Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:29 pm
Well the new information in reference to the health insurance change for the Teamsters sure explains a lot.
Very good explanation of what the administration did RNUG…. Simple and to the point.
RNUG… not sure you’ll want to, but what is your prediction for the override vote in the house?
Comment by ABC123 Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:35 pm
There is still 500% increase on table from admin in afscme. Maybe if they backed off that we could come to an agrreement
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 5:38 pm
All very interesting. Two weeks ago the governor suggested continuous bargaining until a contract was agreed to. So, someone who knows, how many bargaining sessions have their been in the past two weeks?
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 6:26 pm
Any idea how changing to the Teamster Health Plan would affect the retirement health benefits? Would you still qualify for the paid health insurance fought for in Kanerva if you are a current employee?
I have less than 20 yrs so I don’t fully qualify yet but I’m curious how this will affect those in my situation going forward.
Comment by CrazyHorse Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 6:57 pm
If the governor’s intentions were to negotiate in good faith, why does he care if a veto of SB1229 is overridden or not? Seems good faith negotiations would only eliminate the need to utilize the bill.
“Our negotiations prove that when both sides come to the table and leave political agendas at the door, the citizens of Illinois benefit.” Okay, I guess the governor is going to leave his union busting agenda at the door./s
Comment by Minnow Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 7:04 pm
So current state employee Teamster retirees stay on state insurance, current state employee Teamsters go to Teamster insurance - dies that mean you stay on Teanster insurance when you retire later?
Comment by Thoughts Matter Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 8:15 pm
== RNUG… not sure you’ll want to, but what is your prediction for the override vote in the house? ==
I’d guess about a 70% chance it squeaks through … but we’re all guessing until the lights are lit up and counted.
Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 8:49 pm
Goin’ down that slippery slope of compromise.
Comment by Hedley Lamarr Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 9:43 pm
==So current state employee Teamster retirees stay on state insurance, current state employee Teamsters go to Teamster insurance - dies that mean you stay on Teanster insurance when you retire later?==
Based on what info I could find only active employees are eligible for the Teamster 727 plan. Once you retire you go back into the state system.
Here’s a FAQ PDF link:
www.teamsterslocal700.com/pdfs/022714_FAQ.pdf
Comment by CrazyHorse Tuesday, Sep 1, 15 @ 11:15 pm
How Can this funny business with the Coli empire not be seen as a conflict? Labor board appointee negotiating contracts?? Making statements on the Gov’s behalf? His kid also accepting an appointment,,,
Where are the federal regulators in this case?
Our ethics review certainly would see this as a “revolving door” type of violation.
Comment by Property of IDOC Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 3:03 am
Override the governor’s veto. If Rauner’s final offer to Afscme has no extreme elements, as the Teamsters clearly doesn’t, then I can’t see why the governor wouldn’t want an independent arbiter to second that the governor’s proposal is the more reasonable of the two on the table by picking his proposal over AFSCME’s…Unless, of course, his proposal has some extreme elements that are unlike any in the Teamster’s agreement. Then, instead of being able to impose his extreme views on the hard-working members of afscme, an independent arbiter can point out the extreme components in detail, and accept the afscme offer as being the more reasonable of the two on the table.
Override.
Make the Guv negotiate in good faith, and put his most reasonable offer on the table. He will otherwise impose his extreme views that will drastically lower the take home pay of state employees, and furthering the destruction of the middle class in this country.
Pretty simple really…(1) Override (2) Force reasonable offers to be submitted by both sides. (3) If they agree, no problem. The new law changes nothing. If they don’t, an arbiter, without an extreme agenda (either pro or anti union) will decide.
By the way, a similar situation is unfolding in the budget stalemate…Can’t agree? No problem, and independent arbiter, otherwise known as a judge, will decide what gets paid.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 6:54 am
Isn’t Coli in a direct conflict of interest, being appointed to a State Board (Workmen’s Compensation) and that of Leadership role in this union?
Smells like month old unrefigerated fish.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Sep 2, 15 @ 8:29 am