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* UPDATED x1 - LIVE coverage * Hearing begins today on alleged AFSCME impasse

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Rauner administration officials and lawyers for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 will meet in a courtroom this morning to begin what could be a weekslong hearing over whether to end negotiations for a new contract for state workers.

At issue is the Rauner administration’s contention that the two sides have reached “impasse,” a technical stage in contract negotiations that could put the union in the position of having to either accept Rauner’s terms for a new contract or go on strike.

An administrative law judge at the Illinois Labor Relations Board will hear arguments from both sides after Rauner asked the panel in January to decide whether impasse had been reached. […]

Rauner contends that the two sides are deadlocked on “nearly every core issue” in the negotiations and that more bargaining “would be futile,” according to paperwork his administration submitted to the board. The union says it’s not done negotiating and Rauner should get back to the table.

According to the Trib, the hearing is expected to last through May. Whoever loses can appeal to the full board.

*** UPDATE *** Monique Garcia is live-tweeting today’s hearing. Follow along here with ScribbleLive…

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 9:46 am

Comments

I’m not liking AFSCME’s chances.

Comment by Stones Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:03 am
Rauner’s terms are far too harsh–jacking up healthcare costs, pay freezes, a merit pay system that takes money and quality of life away from workers by not giving bonuses if workers take off a reasonable amount of time off of work.

Rauner wants to have the final say on subcontracting and wants to remove protection against costly and inefficient subcontracting, something AFSCME used to win a grievance and bring better-paying jobs to the state at a savings to taxpayers.

Another horrible proposal is firing workers after just one drug offense, and making workers submit to a drug test if suspicion of use exists (and firing them if they refuse). I saw last night on “60 Minutes” that a court in Ohio or somewhere was giving heroin addicts a chance at medical rehabilitation, which is the direction we should be moving, instead of ruining people’s lives with draconian drug policies.

Plus, what are the super-rich like Rauner willing to give up? Nothing, from the looks of it.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:09 am
It is ridiculous that the process should take so long.

Comment by Indochine Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:12 am
Thus it begins. I believe with every fiber of my being that this is the main objective. If Rauner can force AFSCME out on strike he can pin all evils upon it. AFSCME is Rauners sin eater. The sin eater was a person in medieval Europe who would go village to village, be symbolically provided a meal which represented the sins of the person/community then beaten or stoned on the way out of town. Rauner wants to pin all sins onto the evil union stateworker. This is what he has been working for this whole time. It’s taken so long to get to this point but here we are and it’s all about to go down.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:12 am
== I believe with every fiber of my being that this is the main objective. If Rauner can force AFSCME out on strike he can pin all evils upon it. ==
I agree 100%. This is going to be a long, dragged out process but this is what Rauner really wants as his prize. Break the unions - one way or another!

Comment by BBG Watch Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:22 am
What are the super rich willing to give up? Nothing.

AFSCME is Rauner’s sin eater.

And who ever thought they were electing this with their vote? Surprises never end. Way to get our great state working well, gov! Look around at surrounding states—the ones our super-rich snub their noses at. How are they functioning? How is their quality of life/unemployment rate/happiness assessment?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:24 am
Today starts the time when Unions might have to actually stop being the Bully at least in the State of IL… If the hearing goes the Administrations way, which I hope it does, then you can bet to stall on time AFSCME will appeal to the full board but this will be a token waste of time for the Bully will be beaten… Then next step will probably be AFSCME to save face and call for a STRIKE… again another waste… Everyone needs to realize the past is the past and The Unions had their day in the past, the future is different and we need to do what is best for the state of IL and the taxpayers not just a few greedy union members.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:25 am
== It is ridiculous that the process should take so long. ==

‘The wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine.’

Comment by RNUG Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:30 am
Well hopefully this will extend into the next fiscal year. Then a state shutdown will likely make a strike a moot point. Not that I want either one, but a shutdown will get the point across just as well as a strike without the union having to spend goodwill.

Comment by A Jack Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:30 am
Any guesses on how long a strike or lockout would last? Given the length of the budget impasse, I’m pretty sure my savings won’t hold out. Probably should start job hunting.

Comment by Anonymous2 Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:32 am
Yes, indeed, Allen D…As a greedy union member, I loathe the insurance I can afford to pay for my spouse’s cancer treatments.

Comment by Grimm Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:33 am
==Another horrible proposal is firing workers after just one drug offense==

How many times should state workers be able to report to work while on drugs before they get fired? I’m curious.

Comment by so... Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:33 am
Who’s the judge? TII.

Like Roy Cohn used to say, “don’t tell me the law, tell me who the judge is.”

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:36 am
—How many times should state workers be able to report to work while on drugs before they get fired? I’m curious.—

ZERO Tolerance in my book - you pop for anything you should be gone.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:38 am
No I will not feed you Allen D, sorry. A Jack, a shutdown, a strike, anything to do with the state workforce will destabilize it to the point of collapse. It is the no win situation that I am so afraid will put the final nail in the coffin.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:41 am
“Plus, what are the super-rich like Rauner willing to give up? Nothing, from the looks of it.”

Last I heard it is the State of Illinois negotiating with AFSCME. What would the “super-rich” give up in this scenario? Fewer profits?

Try keeping your little spin bullet-points in perspective here.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:42 am
==ZERO Tolerance in my book - you pop for anything you should be gone.==

Let’s ban state employee travel to Colorado, just to be safe. After all, we wouldn’t want someone who had an edible on vacation to show up to work 2 weeks later and do data entry on tax returns. No second chances! /s

Comment by AC Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:43 am
===ZERO Tolerance in my book==

Your book is ancient and decrepit.

Zero tolerance laws and rules always fail. Always.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:45 am
Why do people keep saying that Rauner will “force” a strike? At impasse, the union can CHOOSE to strike or accept terms and continue working. Not sure how that is force.

Comment by JustSayin Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:47 am
==ZERO Tolerance in my book - you pop for anything you should be gone.==

Yeah, I remember being a temp at DCFS when a client popped positive for opiates, almost lost her child for good…turned out the over the counter pain killer her Dr told her to take caused a false positive. Heck, the allergy meds I take (over the counter) can cause a positive on a drug test. And the tests to clarify it wasn’t illicit drugs would cost the state more money. And I don’t think it’s fair to be fired for allergy meds.

Comment by HangingOn Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:48 am
Grandson

A question. Didn’t the state go to one strike under Blago? I know IDOC was.

Comment by Mason born Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:50 am
===union can CHOOSE to strike or accept terms and continue working===

You just answered your own question. Demand completely unacceptable terms and then force a strike.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:51 am
I’ll put my money on a long process leading to a rubber stamp of Rauner’s position by the board.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:55 am
I’m afraid Honeybear is right. This is a huge element of Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda. And while I don’t know the identity of the Administrative Law Judge, I worry that this isn’t exactly a neutral arbiter. Anything goes in those kinds of hearings, and my concern is the ALJ owes their job to the Board, which is controlled by the governor. Rauner will win these rounds. The union’s hope will be in the ‘real’ court.

Comment by Independent Retired Lawyer Journalist Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 10:58 am
“Last I heard it is the State of Illinois negotiating with AFSCME. What would the “super-rich” give up in this scenario? Fewer profits?”

There have been multiple bills to put progressive state income taxation on the ballot. They failed because Republicans believe that the state should be fixed on the backs of those receiving state paid services and benefits, and state workers. They are protecting those making the most money at the expense of so many others who can less-afford cuts.

Another “fair tax” bill just failed to get passed. Republicans and Rauner don’t support it. So it’s very unfair that people who make five figures a year have to make such big sacrifices when people making $1 million or more a year don’t have to make sacrifices.

It’s not rhetoric. It’s the prospect of real pain to thousands of workers, especially those with dependents and medical needs.

As far as the impasse process taking so long, I say good. Workers will need all the time they can to try to build strength and defend themselves against a handful of multimillionaires and billionaires who are bent on stripping them of their power and ability to have a better standard of living.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:14 am
Zero Tolerance works for the Military. If by chance you sample comes up positive for illegal drugs a list of meds being taken at the time and a blood sample can confirm the truth… otherwise you get the boot. If you are willing to lie to take drugs you are willing to lie to do just about anything else, not to mention the compromised effect it can have especially on a driver or equipment operator… etc.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:15 am
Allen, like posting anti-union stuff on CapFax knowing it will cause you and others economic pain while claiming to be represented by one? Your comments make so much more sense now.

Comment by Me too Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:27 am
= Demand completely unacceptable terms=

These “completely unacceptable terms” would be an improvement for most college-educated IL workers. That’s the real reason AFSCME fears striking. The public would be disgusted.

Comment by Robert the 1st Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:29 am
Thanks for adding that live feed. I am praying so so hard right now. Loving God please help those who work so hard for others. Please God, help us.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:32 am
==These “completely unacceptable terms” would be an improvement for most college-educated IL workers.==

Pretty much any rational person would consider it unacceptable to ask for health insurance costs to be doubled as part of a negotiation.

==Allen, like posting anti-union stuff on CapFax knowing it will cause you and others economic pain while claiming to be represented by one==

He doesn’t care. He’s too busy playing the martyr all the time.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:43 am
Allen D:

Still scratching my head every time you open your mouth. Never have I seen somebody root so hard to hurt themselves economically.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:44 am
=Everyone needs to realize the past is the past and The Unions had their day in the past, the future is different and we need to do what is best for the state of IL and the taxpayers not just a few greedy union members.=

Really, greedy union members. I’m a single mother, living pay check to pay check, and all the Teamsters I work with, who do approximately the same work I do, are making $25,000 more a year than I am. So how am I greedy at wanting a decent life for myself and my child? Let me guess, you are part of the 1% who don’t actually want to pay your fair share in taxes either.

Comment by DISGUSTED Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:45 am
==Last I heard it is the State of Illinois negotiating with AFSCME. ==

Um, the reason they are in front of the labor board is that there are no negotiations going on.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:45 am
These “completely unacceptable terms” would be an improvement for most college-educated IL workers.==

Totally incorrect- the insurance level being offered to AFSCME without a huge increase in premiums is Bronze level. It is Obamacare Medicaid level. Exactly what I provide my customers here at DHS. AFSCME public servants would have the worst state health plan of all 50 states. This is what Biss was talking about with the race to the bottom. 48 states have platinum plans for their state workers. So shut Robert the 1rst. You have no idea what you are talking about.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:52 am
=ask for health insurance costs to be doubled=

Or accept a less generous plan for the same cost as current.

Comment by Robert the 1st Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:58 am
“Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:29 am:”

Statements without facts

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:59 am
“Zero Tolerance works for the Military. If by chance you sample comes up positive for illegal drugs a list of meds being taken at the time and a blood sample can confirm the truth… otherwise you get the boot.”

Not at all true. Not at all. You get multiple changes, including in-patient treatment programs, before being forded out.

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:01 pm
*forced out. Sorry.

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:01 pm
==Or accept a less generous plan for the same cost as current.==

So you can pay the same for crappy insurance or pay more for the same insurance. Yeah, that’s an excellent choice.

The costs are being raised significantly in both cases.so I’m not sure what point you are making.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:02 pm
==Or accept a less generous plan for the same cost as current.==

What is your point. Both raise the cost of healthcare significantly.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:03 pm
Robert the 1st - =ask for health insurance costs to be doubled=

Yes,we have choices as you put it - pay less premiums, and copays go sky high, or pay higher premiums to keep the same copays we have now. So, either way they are gutting union members on the cost of insurance, without a pay raise to assist in those costs. “Management” keeps saying AFSCME has turned down what others like Teamsters were offered. AFSCME was offered NOTHING like what Teamster members got in the way of insurance. They have not taken any sort of cut in pay like AFSCME would, and TEAMSTERS get paid on average, approximately $20,000+ or more for same type of job as their AFSCME counterpart.

Comment by DISGUSTED Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:17 pm
I hope Rauner holds the line on pay. How many of you would work 10 years without a raise or bonus. Many of us who have contract and grant work have seen union wages significantly increase while we fund those increases with out stagnant wages. Either support wage increases for all, or wage increases for no one. If you object to what I wrote kindly indicate if you would work 10 years being told you cannot have a raise.

Comment by Downstate hopeful Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:34 pm
==
Monique Garcia
@moniquegarcia

Attorneys for state say even if single issue can’t be agreed upon (pay, step increases) it’s critical enough to declare talks at impasse.

12:23 PM - 25 Apr 2016 ==

That’s not negotiating! When will people see that Rauner does NOT want to negotiate on anything.

Comment by BBG Watch Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:35 pm
the hearing is expected to last through May.

I seriously doubt it. It will be over very quickly. Rauner needs to have the Great Labor War in full swing as soon as possible. I bet it will be over BEFORE May so that insurance changes in State workers will not be factored into the decision. The insurance changes start May 1rst if I remember correctly. That would look bad for the administration and bargaining in poor faith. But what am I talking about. The verdict of impasse is a forgone conclusion. Rauner owns this board. Fear not Allen D, Robert the 1rst, you’ll get the outcome Rauner paid for.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:35 pm
Attorneys say health care changes were a key strategy in cutting state deficit, says estimated to save $2 .6 billion over life of contract.

So the deficit is to be cut by destroying the states public servants. Tell me how AFSCME isn’t the state sin eater?

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:37 pm
@ Downstate
If you haven’t had a raise in 10 years that’s on you. There are plenty of positions in which you could’ve earned step increases. Unless you’re a PSA making 100k+, there’s no reason to be in whatever position you’re in not making any increases. There are some of us in titles doing the same work with people within the same title but are at the lower steps doing the same job as a co-worker, me being on step two, them on step eight, with the latter making 30k more a year than me. If you haven’t had a raise in ten years, it’s on you to find a position offering a higher salary or see if Mrs. Rauner needs another assistant.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:47 pm
The gov’s lawyers are making the case that he is not bargaining in good faith. You cannot issue a demand with no room for negotiation. They just stated he did with step increases. You don’t get an impasse by just refusing to negotiate. If you could, then management could just walk in to a room with its last best, say that they are at impasse because the union won’t agree to their demands, and then impose them anyway. How is that bargaining? If this is declared an impasse, it will drastically change the definition of bargaining, and cut the legs out from underneath every union in the state. Maybe that was really his plan all along. I just can’t see anyone, even fervent anti-union folks say that since he refused to negotiate, it is an impasse. It is settled law that so long as one party is still willing to negotiate, there is no impasse and party refusing to negotiate is guilty of a ULP.

Comment by Me too Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:47 pm
While pay and healthcare key issues in negotiations, state says they also wanted to eliminate fair share, remove bumping layoff provisions.

But we still get to say what corner the water cooler goes in. That is if your office has a water cooler!

What’s the line? The floggings will continue until morale improves!

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:54 pm
== Attorneys say health care changes were a key strategy in cutting state deficit, says estimated to save $2 .6 billion over life of contract. ==

Key point - over the life of the contract; the individual year savings are a drop in the budget bucket, just a couple of percentage points at best.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 12:55 pm
Attorneys for state citing previous cases that impasse does not mean talks over, but provides time for heads to cool.

Sweet Loving Jesus, no they didn’t just say that. This is how I know the process is rigged.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:00 pm
For the advocates of zero tolerance, don’t ever eat a poppy seed muffin. You will test positive for opioids. If you have any doubts look up the Myth Busters episode.

Comment by Huh? Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:02 pm
Drug testing in my office would not produce illegal drug results. But prescription meds for stress induced illnesses would be very high. There is a huge amount of depression and anxiety amongst us. Ulcers, IBS, OCD - all stress induced from this job. It’s not the candy store.

Comment by Jerrys Pizza Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:05 pm
Hey can we focus here people. This issue is super important to people like me. This has nothing to do with Zero Tolerance! Please engage on the topic! Sorry, I overstepped my bounds Rich. I apologize if I have erred.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:10 pm
— Me too - Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 11:27 am:Allen, like posting anti-union stuff on CapFax knowing it will cause you and others economic pain while claiming to be represented by one? Your comments make so much more sense now.—

I am in AFSCME, I have held my position for 8 years, however I have never agreed with Fair-Share or essentially FORCED UNION MEMBERSHIP to hold a state job. Many states do not have forced Union membership to hold state positions. Unions still exist in RTW states and being RTW forces Unions to be competitive for its membership and in some states membership has increased it just isn’t forced to have a job. This is the way it should be.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:18 pm
Could State lawyers argue that they are just trying to reduce healthcare costs to what the legislature has actually been approving funding for? Yes, that is snark.

Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:19 pm
Allen, no one has or can force you to join a union.

Instead of complaining, join merit/comp. I have heard the state is always fair to MC and only objectively judges on merit. /s

Comment by steward Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:26 pm
Allen, you know there is no forced union membership. There are fairshares in every office. I’m sorry you don’t have a steward who is willing to chat with you. That’s sad. Not having someone to talk to you is the only reason that I can come up with as to why you have been in the union 8 years and don’t know anything about it. That or that you are lying. Either way it’s sad. What local are you in?

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:30 pm
Allen D - many states aren’t Illinois where the Governors make the license plates, and shoeboxes of money appear after state officials die, and hiring favors get recorded on spreadsheets.

Comment by Thoughts Matter Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:33 pm
Proposed drug policy also covers alcohol. Blow .04 and it’s an immediate 30 day. Do it again ever and you’re out. Supposedly every supervisor will be trained and equipped to judge impairment and then test their employees. Who sees that going down fairly. State says they simply copied the CDL language but most of us don’t drive big rigs.

Comment by steward Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:33 pm
What about the NLRA? Is his board really the last stop? I know it can be appealed in court, where he’ll lose I imagine, but will that appeal be based on the NLRA or what?

Comment by Me too Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:40 pm
Also, how do you remove Fairshare? It is the law. You can’t bargain away something that is granted by law can you? Bad faith.

Comment by Me too Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:41 pm
— steward - Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:26 pm: & - Honeybear - Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:30 pm:—
You can’t work for CMS without being in the Union or Fair share, and there is no difference …. And less than $2 difference in dues. My family has always been union, mainly because of profession did not allow non-union workers, again no choice. My father hated the union, his father as well; they went on strike all the time and it was a year for one that I remember. The only difference was the union paid a stipend if you maned the lines, we went without, we knew how to save and take care of ourselves and friends in the same situation…. Point is, The Union is not the be all end all it used to be, they had their time.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:45 pm
Allen:

You can argue until you are blue in the face that union membership is compulsory but it doesn’t make you any more right. You are not required to be in a union. Ever.

For a guy who hates the union like you do I find it odd that you would take a union job.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:55 pm
Allen-Allen-Allen your in the union?

Comment by rocky Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:58 pm
Well, all of the high school level education jobs are in the union. What do you expect, him to go into the trades, oh wait?

Comment by Me too Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:59 pm
==Attorneys for state citing previous cases that impasse does not mean talks over, but provides time for heads to cool.==

An impasse isn’t really an impasse, so that’s why we are at impasse? It’s a strange argument.

Comment by AC Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:00 pm
— Honeybear - Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:30 pm:—–

Local 799 is where I am assigned

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:03 pm
He’s a troll. Until he writes a check to the state for every raise he’s gotten over the past eight years, he has no right to complain about paying fair share dues. He thinks with his charms alone he’d be making even more money if the union wasn’t giving raises to the lesser folks around his office. He doesn’t understand that he’d be in the breadlines and on medicaid if it weren’t for the union. The union is the only reason he makes a reasonable salary. He hates them though, because his family always has. That makes sense. I wonder what else his grandpappy hated. Does he hate those things too? Allen, those strikes were necessary to prevent being exploited. Strikes are seldom necessary now, but unions still have their place. That place is specifically to hold the line against people like the gov.

Comment by Me too Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:04 pm
- Demoralized - Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 1:55 pm:

They did such a great job explaining everything when I was hired, I didn’t even know really until 3 months later when I started getting my paystubs and I questioned the union dues being withheld… I like helping the people that I do and being in a union should not be a mandatory reason to have this job helping people. If people want to “VOLUNTARILY” be in a union, then great… but in no way should it be a point of employment… I fight this everywhere. When this time comes that my family no longer needs my assistance you can bet unless things change I am moving out of IL.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:10 pm
== You can’t work for CMS without being in the Union or Fair share, ==

Not all CMS jobs are union positions; there are both Civil Service and Merit Compensation positions not covered by the union. If you don’t want to be in a union, get the education to land one of those jobs.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:11 pm
And like Allen

Comment by rocky Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:14 pm
“The Union is not the be all end all it used to be, they had their time.” If it weren’t for the Unions, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Rauner would have long ago cut our pay, increased our hours, increased your health care costs, laid off hundreds of employees and replaced them with politically-connected contractors. And what choice would we have had?

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:15 pm
—- Me too - Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:04 pm:—
this is turning personal and downright ugly… not where this should be heading… I could do any number of jobs in or not in the state. in IL or MO since I am close to the border… We moved back here because of Family need and request of family members for help, it is what I do… I am an Office Coordinator, in other words an overpaid secretary, but I help people get and apply for aid… I will continue to help people in need but fight the union as well.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:19 pm
AFSCME has been at this a long time, and I believe have the strongest position….time will of course tell.

Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:28 pm
If you have the facts argue the facts, if you have the law argue the law, if you have neither pound the table. Yokich is pounding the table.

Comment by anony Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:38 pm
Look Allen, you’ve been trolling for quite some time. It’s natural that you’re going to get a lot of animosity. Plus some things you’ve been saying aren’t adding up which I think causes people to doubt who you are. for instance union dues don’t just start showing up. Fairshare dues start showing up but actual union dues need to be signed for by signing a membership card. Also what kind of aid are you helping people get? General assistance? Foodstamps, Medical or Cash?

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:45 pm
=It’s natural that you’re going to get a lot of animosity.=

There’s a whole bunch of hypocrisy in the comments here, always has been. If someone not in the group-think dare to even come close to a personal attack, the wrath of God comes down on them. However, you can be as nasty as possible to someone not toeing the AFSCME line.

Comment by Robert the 1st Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:54 pm
Why did @moniquegarcia stop giving live updates once the AFSCME attorneys started there arguments?

Comment by Jay Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Robert the 1rst, please elucidate? Of what hypocrisy do you speak? Honestly

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 2:59 pm
Robert are you done playing the victim yet?

Comment by steward Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Rich, could you check the livestream. We haven’t had an update in over an hour. Thank you.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:04 pm
It isn’t the stream. She isn’t tweeting.

Comment by steward Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:08 pm
Honeybear, I checked the Twitters. She’s gone silent. Monique is a good reporter. As much as I like conspiracy theories, I wouldn’t go there.
I’m sure we’ll read all about it soon enough. I guarantee AFSCME will have more to say.

Comment by bird Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:12 pm
@ Honeybear— my first day “INDOC” in springfield (that is supposed to be 8 hours) was a whole whoppin 1 hour… here is the stack of papers you need to sign everything is highlighted for signature and initials, you need to hurry we are closing early today, I don’t know why you 3 are here today. Hrmm… nice information session the 3 of us had there that day, I just wanted to work, and drove back to my office and started there after that fiasco… so yes I signed it obviously for the union in the rush of doing all the paperwork, I made them produce paperwork showing it when I was questioning what all the deductions were… not to mention the deduction for medical (which I didn’t sign up for because I have my own)

Comment by Allen D Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:17 pm
Allen D: So The CMS HR people rushed and screwed up your application? And that’s a reason to bash AFSCME?

Comment by Skeptic Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Why didn’t you request to go fairshare? You can always do that. You can do that at any time. So what kind of aid are you providing people? Just wondering.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:24 pm
Garcia’s tweets are showing up on Twitter

Comment by Gr8dane Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:26 pm
===Garcia’s tweets are showing up on Twitter===

Yes, and they ended at 2 o’clock. Take a breath.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:29 pm
“- Allen D - Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:17 pm:”

And the Dog ate your homework

That is the worst excuse that I have ever heard. It did not even make sense.

People please stop feeding the troll.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:30 pm
“Garcia’s tweets are showing up on Twitter”

Where are Garcia’s tweets posted on Twitter?

Comment by Mama Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Did the ‘Illinois Labor Relations Board’ stop the hearing at 2PM today?

Comment by Mama Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:36 pm
Mama– Rich is right. They ended at around 2pm. Someone wrote that she stopped just as AFSCME was starting its opening statements and that was incorrect. Sorry for the confusion.

Comment by Gr8dane Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Allen:

It’s nobody’s fault but your own that you did not research what sort of position you were applying for and it’s certainly nobody’s fault but your own that you didn’t read things before signing them.

You weren’t forced to join a union. There are non-union state jobs out there and there are certainly plenty of other jobs available in both the public and private sectors that are not union.

You really gotta stop playing the victim.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:41 pm
Kinda weird that AFSCME only got 20 minutes to make an argument while the state got over an hour.

Comment by Jay Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:45 pm
Thanks for checking in on this Rich. I hope you will post the stream tomorrow if they are in session again. It’s super important to me and many others here. Thanks again for including it.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:49 pm
“” … so yes I signed it obviously for the union in the rush of doing all the paperwork, I made them produce paperwork showing it when I was questioning what all the deductions were…”

Umm… You do realize you can ask management for a revocation card right?

Do you often sign state documents without reading them?

Comment by steward Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 3:50 pm
You’re smelling it too aren’t you steward? Do you smell socks? I totally do.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:04 pm
Allen D is, in fact, a real state employee. He’s given out so much info today and in other threads that you can look up his position and salary.

Comment by Robert the 1st Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:12 pm
==Kinda weird that AFSCME only got 20 minutes to make an argument while the state got over an hour. ==

When you don’t have anything to say, it takes a lot longer to say it. Lawyers sometimes refer to it as throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks.

Comment by Whatever Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:22 pm
“Local 799 is where I am assigned”

799 is not a state local…

Comment by steward Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:27 pm
Honeybear, will AFSCME Council 31 provide more information about today’s Labor Board Hearing?

Comment by Mama Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:40 pm
What gives Allen D? Not going to answer Steward?

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:42 pm
Honeybear:

Robert is right. He is a state employee. So long as he’s given out accurate info today you can verify it. I’ll respect his privacy.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:47 pm
===will AFSCME Council 31 provide more information about today’s Labor Board Hearing?===

They posted about it on the Facebook page.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Mama I really don’t know. I’m not sure what happened. I am not on twitter so I can’t tell if the reporters tweets were delayed and we got more than 20 minutes or will they take it up tomorrow or what. I am just as blind as you. Counsel has been great about keeping us informed though. I think it is going to be a short hearing. Just my gut. Our benefit selection period starts May 1 I think. Thus they want this hearing done before they show that they’ve already changed our health insurance options. That would again show bad faith bargaining. Just my thoughts

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:53 pm
–Allen D is, in fact, a real state employee. He’s given out so much info today and in other threads that you can look up his position and salary.–

Not to mention all that time on the job he’s been giving away, too.

I imagine the union would go to bat for him if he got in trouble for that.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 4:56 pm
“all that time on the job he’s been giving away, too.
I imagine the union would go to bat for him if he got in trouble for that.”

I don’t defend bad behavior. I defend rights. It’s an important distinction that allows me to sleep at night.

Comment by steward Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 5:40 pm
Brilliant. Love the fact that Garcia stops tweeting when AFSCME starts.

That says quite a bit.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 25, 16 @ 5:49 pm
In what world is a hearing that will probably result in an appeal to a board of 5 where 4 have been appointed by the governor considered fair? No conflict of interest there… /s

Comment by State Worker THX 1138 Tuesday, Apr 26, 16 @ 8:41 am