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“The public pays little attention to their antics”

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Illinois

Subject: AFSCME Informational Picketing
Importance: High

Hello,

As you are aware, AFSCME has indicated they will be conducting an informational picket on November 17th in reaction to the expected Labor Board ruling due on November 15th.

As a result, I wanted to resend an email I sent to you last year regarding information on our recommended response.

I would ask each of you to keep your agencies informed that we need to be calm throughout this process. Please share this with your respective agency principals and management supervisory staff.

My advice to you is simple. Keep calm and do not overreact. The unions have used this tactic over the years with very mixed success. They may get some media coverage, they may get some employees revved up but in the overall scheme - the public pays little attention to their antics.

The union’s intent is to draw attention to their rally. Don’t be a part of that attention. Heavy handed management responses will serve to turn a demonstration (however small or large) into a union rallying cry. Remain calm and keep your CMS Labor Relations liaison informed. […]

In the meantime, if you have any reason to believe that any other labor organization may be conducting an informational picket at your agency, please immediately report this to your liaison at CMS Labor Relations.

* I asked AFSCME for a response…

State employees are making plans for a statewide day of action on the theme “Don’t Dictate, Negotiate,” to urge the Rauner administration to return to the negotiations they broke off 10 months ago.

Many of those actions are likely to be “speak-outs” where employees talk about the important public services they provide. Others may involve community outreach. Some may be informational pickets. Each local union is planning action that works best for them and their particular worksites.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:30 pm

Comments

Way to embrace your workforce. These guys just don’t get it.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:36 pm
“My advice to you is simple. Keep calm and do not overreact.”

Yeah because those informational pickets can be pretty darn provocative. /s

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:38 pm
So exercising 1st Amendment rights = “antics.”

Gotcha. Very Trump-like.

Comment by MSIX Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:39 pm
Yes, there they go again with their antics, such as expressing a desire to bargain in good faith and reach a compromise like they gave with every single Governor in the states history.

Comment by AC Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:40 pm
-the public pays little attention to their antics-

TRUE. AFSCME, you helped in creating this mess, now quit your whining and help clean it up.

Comment by Big Muddy Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:47 pm
Glad to se BigBrain & Crew caught up so they can send out scare notices three weeks early. This level of preparedness is amazin’ since all the SuperStars have adiosed the joint or are workin’ crush the evil Cullerton-Madigan empire.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:52 pm
“Keep calm and do not overreact.”

Like some agencies trying to ban our flyers regarding 11-17? (Like they tried to do for the rallies)

A tad heavy handed…

Comment by steward Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:52 pm
Couldn’t agree more. Their idea of “compromise” and “bargaining in good faith” is give us what we want and be da_mned with what it costs and who will have to pick up the tab!!

Comment by to the point Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:53 pm
Antics? What about the Guv’s antics?

Comment by State Worker THX 1138 Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:54 pm
==My advice to you is simple. Keep calm and do not overreact.==

This seems to assume that the recipient is against the union. At least, if the concern is that everyone seeing the pickets will start chanting “AFSCME forever!”, the choice of language doesn’t reflect it. So who exactly did they address this to? Most bargaining unit employees want what AFSCME is asking for, including those who would willingly settle for a lot less. And most merit comp employees aren’t too thrilled with an administration that has continued the treatment they received during the Blago/Quinn years. So who is left to overreact against the picketers? The directors and assistant directors?

Comment by Whatever Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:55 pm
This is not going to be pleasant.

Comment by Grimm Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:58 pm
==AFSCME, you helped in creating this mess, now quit your whining and help clean it up.==

Yep - so many of you voted against Quinn 2 years ago. After 2 years of the current administration, “Vote accordingly,” as (iirc) Oswego Willy would say.

Comment by Whatever Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:58 pm
Will these “speak-outs” include topics like why AFSCME uses the services of Robert Creamer?

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:11 pm
Is 1.4% going to activate the IEMA disaster control center to handle this self made disaster?

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:14 pm
Weren’t they supposed to be on strike already?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:16 pm
I think he’s genuinely scared. Oh well.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:21 pm
“Don’t be a part of that attention.”

Woops

Comment by Timmeh Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:23 pm
But I thought the governor said “nothing good” comes from email, claiming he prefers face to face communication? He has spent a lot of time and energy fighting FOIA requests to see his emails. Maybe he keeps the emails with his tax returns?

Comment by Taco Cat Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:36 pm
Read the part of the email in the ellipses.

They are sending union activity reports to an intern? What’s he doing with them? Making a big ole union activity spreadsheet?

Too funny… Well, he’ll have plenty of data entry to do soon…

Comment by steward Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:46 pm
==you helped in creating this mess==

I know! I hate how AFSCME stole the pension money to keep taxes artificially low so there wouldn’t be a minimal tax increase years ago, therefore causing a larger one eventually! And now they’re blaming the politicians for it! Can you believe it? /s

Comment by HangingOn Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:47 pm
For this to be considered “antics” I think we’ld all have to be dressed in carharrt jackets and posing for thumbs-up selfies.

Comment by Johnnie F. Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:57 pm
I think the proper term would have been “shenanigans” instead of “antics” in this case. /s

Comment by Fixer Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:06 pm
-Fixer-

The shenanigans are scheduled to take place next March 17th.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:09 pm
pickets either way if ruled impasse or no impasse, correct?? anyone have insight into which way they will rule?
thanks

Comment by shakey Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:20 pm
Steward, according to the ITAP web page that dude in the ellipses is indeed an intern at CMS.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:31 pm
This is pretty funny actually. It’s like they expect to be provoked in an old school fashion. Look, this is about building solidarity and unity before what could be the greatest labor dispute of the 21rst century. We just don’t know what’s going to happen. Regardless we’ve got to close ranks and get jacked up like a Marine on Mountain Dew. But it’s about us. Sure we’ll get pictures and a bit of media maybe. But it’s about us.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:31 pm
–….we need to be calm throughout this process….

….Keep calm and do not overreact….

… Heavy handed management responses will serve to turn a demonstration (however small or large) into a union rallying cry. ….

….Remain calm ….–

Geez, the Superstars are kind of wound up over something as benign as informational picketing.

What kind of “heavy-handed responses” are they worried about?

For crying out loud, who wrote this? Apparently, the governor’s office thinks they have some powderkegs in management ready to blow over nothing.

So, by all means… keep calm. They’re just citizens walking in a circle holding signs. Not ISIL.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:04 pm
if the public pays little attention to what we do, what is the administration worried about and why was the email needed?

looks like the tactic has already done something without union staff doing anything

Comment by working stiff Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:07 pm
“My advice to you is simple. Keep calm and do not overreact. Do NOT look them in the eye. Don’t corner them so that they feel threatened. If they charge at you, drop to the ground and play dead. It’s your only defense…”

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:12 pm
LOL @ AFSCME saying “don’t dictate, negotiate.” Meanwhile, they’ve been pushing for bills that call for binding arbitration….allowing an arbitrator to DICTATE.

This is why people outside of the Springfield/Chicago govt. industry do not take AFSCME seriously.

Comment by BK Bro Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:25 pm
==What kind of “heavy-handed responses” are they worried about?==

After the non base building one time bonuses given to just enough members of management to make all the merit comp people unhappy, a heavy handed response probably isn’t what they should be worried about.

Comment by AC Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:26 pm
Thanks Shakey. You just gave me an epiphany. ILRB will declare total impasse which is why they are worried about heavy handed management responses to all AFSCME screaming at management about being forced out on strike. Rauner just telegraphed the punch. Workers are going to be
livid that they will either have to strike during the holidays or face a contract that doubles insurance and authorizes the outsouring of their jobs. The workforce is going to explode then collapse. I’ve said it a lot here. Rauners hatred of labor will collapse the workforce. Somebody foia CMS and see how understaffed we are.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:48 pm
-Honeybear-

Hmmmm, that COULD explain the overall tone of the email.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:55 pm
Honeybear, the labor board has surprised us before, there’s no reason we should expect the worst, even though there’s every reason we should prepare for the worst. We’ll have to be a little bit positive if we are ever going to be successful.

Comment by AC Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:58 pm
All of this could have been avoided if Rauner didn’t try to gouge state workers with harsh concessions and inflexible bargaining. He and his super-rich allies drew lines in the sand that they absolutely will not cross.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 7:57 pm
Yes they did surprise us AC but they have surprised us in a negative way more often. What I realized is that they have every reason to declare impasse. Rauner holds a lot of advantage.
Regardless, what the email alludes too is a harsh response. That would come by those have been complacent and silent during this whole time realizing they have been screwed and their world of safety is over. They are going to come out swinging and screaming for blood. Now, having been military and with the stewards I have, half of which are former military, we will maintain good order and discipline. It’s the folks in Springfield that I worry about. The one’s admittedly have had it good. (see Ron, I can self criticize)
Anyway, for those folks the ILRB decision is going to set them off. Many shops don’t have the stewards or structure to maintain discipline. Those places are going to get loud. We’re gonna march and I’m lining up a gospel singer to do that song they did at the 10,000 rally. We’ve got other things cooking. Getting the media lined up. Getting our executive board members their media talking points. Again, it’s the spots in Springfield that sat around saying “it will all work out. Don’t worry about it”. Those folks haven’t got the piss and vinegar of some of our locals who’ve had to slug it out with management on a regular basis. So management is smart to play it cool.

But I think Rauners going to pull the trigger.

We’re ready.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 8:59 pm
=gouge state workers with harsh concessions and inflexible bargaining=

Over the past few years most people’s insurance premiums have more than doubled. “Harsh concessions” = realty.

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:00 pm
@Robert the 1st
Over the past few years, trolls like you seem to increase. That my friend is reality.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:32 pm
Thanks for the irony, Anonymous.

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 9:47 pm
One wonders if, in anticipation of labor backlash, Rauner could be shoring up his ramparts (i.e., trying to buy good will) with the merit comp folks he gave bonuses to.

Wait till they figure out that, for many, that bonus will not cover one year’s increased health insurance cost he has in mind for state workers.

Comment by Stumpy's bunker Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 12:37 am
It’s clear that the State did not follow proper procedure in contract negotiations. The ILRB still may vote for total impasse, if they do, the ILRB members that voted for impasse will be exposed as Raunerites when they lose in civil court. Aren’t ILRB members “sworn in”, to be impartial? The appearance that impartiality has been undermined wouldn’t be good and might merit action in itself. The ILRB would be wise to follow the recommendation of the Administrative Law Judge.

Comment by Jimmy H Friday, Nov 4, 16 @ 1:17 pm