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Rauner administration to impose terms on AFSCME members “as soon as operationally feasible”

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Illinois

* Here we go…

From: xxx@xxxx On Behalf Of John Terranova
Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2016 15:23
To:
Subject: AFSCME Employees - Labor Board Update

Dear Colleagues,

As many of you are aware, the Illinois State Labor Board yesterday confirmed what we have known since January 8 of this year-the State and AFSCME’s negotiating team are at an impasse in bargaining for a new collective bargaining agreement.

You may be wondering what comes next.

As a practical matter, yesterday’s ruling means that the State may begin implementing its last, best, and final offer. Our labor relations team is continuing to analyze the decision and has begun meeting with agency directors to discuss which provisions should be implemented and when. We will, of course, keep all of you apprised of our implementation plans and how they impact you individually.

Below is some guidance on the two proposals-merit pay and overtime after 40 hours-that we are proceeding to implement as soon as operationally feasible.

· Merit Pay. The State’s merit pay proposal provides that employees who missed less than 5% of assigned work days during the July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 fiscal year would receive a $1,000 bonus. Vacation, personal, and sick days, including FMLA leave, would not be considered assigned work days.

It is the State’s expectation that the vast majority of employees satisfied this requirement. The State will therefore begin working with payroll and timekeeping administrators to process these bonuses as quickly as possible.

For subsequent fiscal years, the State will, in consultation with AFSCME, develop fair performance criteria to evaluate and reward employees based on specific achievements, and policies to reward employees based on attendance and compliance with work rules, and hopes that the union will work with us on these efforts.

While we hope for a smooth implementation that results in the vast majority of employees receiving bonuses, we should flag that AFSCME may ask a court to enjoin the State from implementing its merit pay proposal.

· Overtime. Consistent with federal law and contractual provisions governing thousands of state employees outside the AFSCME bargaining unit, overtime will now be paid after an employee has worked 40 hours in a given week. This also means absences due to holidays and vacations will not count towards the 40-hour mark-only actual hours worked above 40 will be at the overtime rate.

These common-sense provisions are fair to both our employees and taxpayers alike. We hope AFSCME will partner will us as we implement them and analyze how and when it would be best to implement the rest of our last, best, and final offer.

If you have additional questions, please consult the Labor Relations tab on the Team Illinois website, http://www.illinois.gov/sites/TeamIllinois/LaborRelations. There, you will find the entirety of the State’s final offer to AFSCME, as well as other useful information.

Sincerely,

JT

John Terranova
Deputy Director
CMS Office of Labor Relations

Meanwhile, the union is preparing some informational pickets for tomorrow.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:41 pm

Comments

Rauner is going to have a wonderful Thanksgiving…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:46 pm
For state workers, the name Thanksgiving has been changed to the Last Supper.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:48 pm
=Vacation, personal, and sick days, including FMLA leave, would not be considered assigned work days.=

So unless you no-called-no-showed more than 19 out of 20 days you’re getting $1000 in bonus? Is anyone not getting it?

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Drive that wedge.

Comment by TD Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:53 pm
He wants to placate us with $1,000 and blame AFSCME if we don’t get it. He clearly thinks we’re a bunch of idiots and is right about some of us.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:53 pm
Man, when “Merit” means showing up 95% of the time, not counting vacation, sick days, personal days, etc., we are really stretching the definition.

What am I missing? How is this reforming the state work force? I get that the state will overall save money because of the health insurance hike, but it’s not going to really make state workers any more efficient.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:55 pm
I believe that yesterday a Sangamon County Court upheld the arbitration finding that the state can proceed with the layoffs that were planned at the ICC, State Museum and DNR last year.

Comment by 332bill Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:55 pm
The fruition of Rauner’s quest to stick it to AFSCME.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:55 pm
Two easy ones to implement. And the OT limitation will offset the payouts for the bonuses.

The merit bonus thing right out of the gate is also good PR for them. They can say, “look, we’ve been trying to give you money all this time with our contract proposal.” Shrewd.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:58 pm
You miss the point of the “bonus” notice only this year. It’s hush money hopeing we don’t fight back

Comment by Union thug Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:58 pm
Do holidays and vacations currently count towards overtime?

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 3:59 pm
Got the email blast. I will have to find my green shirt to wear tomorrow in solidarity with AFSCME.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:01 pm
Arsenal:

This payment really isn’t a “merit” payment. I think the intent was to offer it up as an “offset” to the increased healthcare costs (though it doesn’t come close to covering it). I even think in one iteration of the state’s contract proposal it was offered as sort of a signing bonus. You sign a contract by such and such date and we give you all money.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:01 pm
This will make great media exposure. Afscme fighting a 40 hr work week and blocking 1k “merit” bonuses.

I just checked and my health insurance premiums are increasing $6300/year (quality care with more than 2 dependents) to over $12k/year. I wonder if these premium increases will apply to all state employees once implemented?

Comment by Anon1234 Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:01 pm
More merit pay “slap and tickle” from everybody’s pal JT.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:01 pm
The admins first offer included a $1000 bonus for every state employee if the union approved the deal by 12/31/15 I believe.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:03 pm
==Do holidays and vacations currently count towards overtime?==

What they are saying (I think) is that if an employee is off on a vacation day then that paid vacation day doesn’t count towards your hours for OT calculation (i.e. you work a 37.5 hour work week but one day is a vacation day so they would only count 30 hours for that week in determining whether you reach the 40 hour mark; so really you’d have to work 10 hours over your “normal” work week before you get OT)

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:05 pm
Health care premium increase are retroactive back to 7/1/2016. So what Bonus.

Comment by WhoKnew Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:06 pm
thank you john for helping get people out tomorrow.

Comment by working stiff Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:07 pm
“begun meeting with agency directors to discuss which provisions should be implemented and when”

I’m sorry. Can we pick and choose which part of the contract to use?

Comment by Rogue Roni Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:07 pm
==Do holidays and vacations currently count towards overtime?==

Sorry. Didn’t answer the question. I believe the answer is yes in terms of those hours counting towards your weekly hours.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:07 pm
== Merit Pay.==
I still want to know when they are going to institute merit pay for merit comp employees. If they like the idea so much, why haven’t they changed the regulation prohibiting it, which they can do at will? They’ve had almost 2 years now.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:08 pm
Drury, Franks and Dunkin…the imimnent strike is their legacy…one got primaried, one walked away, one is Scott Drury

Comment by Morty Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:08 pm
== I still want to know when they are going to institute merit pay for merit comp employees==

It has been and they just paid those out.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:09 pm
This will save a bundle on OT. Currently, you can take Monday off, call in sick on Tuesday and work and extra 5 hours Wednesday - Friday and collect and extra 15 hours of OT (including 1 hour for “working through lunch”).

Comment by FIREDup! Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:11 pm
- Morty -

Pat Quinn. “That was that”. Pat Quinn.

Tough lesson taught… to Quinn.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:11 pm
“If they like the idea so much, why haven’t they changed the regulation prohibiting it”

They have. See 80 Ill. Adm. Code 310.560 and 310.570.

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:13 pm
A question. The contract has a no strike and no lockout stipulation. If this contact is deemed to be in effect by the labor board, does that make a strike illegal?

Comment by Former hillrod Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:15 pm
Guess what…

The state just lost me as an employee because of this.

I was hired in 2012 at step 1C.(2 steps behind entry level pay with the intention of getting raises)

Since Rauner has been in office I haven’t seen a single increase. I can’t afford my student loans (Have a master’s degree in speciality field) with my rent.

I looking into private sector work and being offered significantly more money for my skills.

Guess what, I’m living proof that state workers can be underpaid.

Rauner literally couldn’t look me in the eyes when I told him face to face my issues.

I loved being a public servant but the truth is it was holding me down…way down.

While I agree that many state workers are overpaid I was certainly not one of them.

Comment by John C Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:15 pm
===I still want to know when they are going to institute merit pay for merit comp employees.===

If you’re the merit comp. employee in the room wondering when merit pay will be implemented well….

Comment by Cubs in '16 Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:16 pm
The merit pay is nothing but a ploy to create tension between AFSCME and members, hence the broad scope of who gets the bonus. From the beginning this is all it has been, not compensation for healthcare or wage increases. As illustrated in the email, employees will get this bonus UNLESS AFSCME goes to court.

The die-hard union members won’t care about the bonus, but I suspect most members will and won’t be too happy with AFSCME nixing the bonus by appealing the LRB ruling. From day one of this administration, the goal has been to break the union, not from the outside, but from within AFSCME itself. The only question is whether $1000 is enough, but faced with no pay raise and higher insurance costs, that $1000 is looking better and better for most employees.

Comment by Jon Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:17 pm
I haven’t heard anything about this so I will let you know here.

My state agency was told they couldn’t go with hiring the job postings they had posted because their will be layoffs in early December and the people who are layed off will get first priority if they are qualified for the jobs.

So layoffs are coming soon.

Comment by ANON Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:18 pm
On style, not substance, love the message that “we want to give you a $1,000 bonus as soon as possible but AFSCME may go to court to try to prevent it.” Not up there with “Mike Madigan refuses to discuss a state budget on his condition that Rauner drop the TA first,” but still clever.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:18 pm
“The merit bonus thing right out of the gate is also good PR for them. They can say, “look, we’ve been trying to give you money all this time with our contract proposal.” Shrewd.”

Yeah every State employee — not just AFSCME members — facing double health care costs plus retroactive payments going back to July 1, 2015 aren’t falling for it.

Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:22 pm
Translation:

We’re doing all these horrible things to you that will cost you thousands of dollars a year, but let me offset that with a thousand dollars.

Comment by Former State Employee Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:22 pm
I would normally take the point-of-view that state employees can always decide they can get another job if they don’t like the deal offered by their employer. However, we know that there are very few jobs available in the private sector within Illinois, so my usual response would be unfair. Of course, the lack of private sector job options is the main problem within Illinois….

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:24 pm
ANON:

Those are the layoffs from a year ago that they’ve been enjoined from doing. The Court said they can now.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:24 pm
A strike would not be illegal because the contract is being imposed. AFSCME has not signed and ratified it.

Comment by Steve Polite Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:25 pm
Sorry, Anonymous at 4:24 was me.

Comment by Anony Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:25 pm
Page 186 of the contract. Sub-contracting out jobs. That’s the killer.

Comment by Mr.Black Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:28 pm
Huh - he left out wage freeze which will make the 1000 into nothing.

Advice? Save that 1000, you’ll be out of a job soon enough. Get the house ready to sell. Downsize yesterday.

Comment by Dr X Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:33 pm
Demoralized
Can you post link about layoff decision. Thanks

Comment by Disgruntled Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:37 pm
==Tough lesson taught… to Quinn.==

OW, It didn’t even do that. AFSCME is going to be destroyed, and Pat Quinn won’t even go away.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:37 pm
What Terranova omits is that healthcare costs will more than double. He also omits that merit pay for performance will go to a minimum of 25% of the workforce. If you meet the merit criteria for performance, you could still be SOL on a large part of merit pay and not get it. But you could pat yourself on the back because you sacrificed for Illinois (while the plutocrats pay 3.75% or less in state income tax).

Meanwhile Rauner more than tripled his income in 2015.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:39 pm
- AC -

Well, you do have me there.

It’s like “the grass is always greener”, and Quinn mowing his lawn is whole lotta trolling…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:42 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Liz-PqZAb_g

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:55 pm
See you in court?

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:57 pm
You’re right - Michelle Flaherty -, exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 4:59 pm
I think Mr. Black is right. In future negotiations, and there will be many, it’s a very important negotiating tool for Management. And of course it’s another reason to think carefully about a strike.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:02 pm
This the grand bargain I’ve been hearing so much about?

Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:08 pm
to ac

we’ll see who gets destroyed.

Comment by yoyo Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:21 pm
Demoralized @ 4:24 - they just paid a bonus to a limited class of merit comp under a new regulation that was just adopted this summer. The regulation that prohibits merit pay raises is still in effect.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:23 pm
oh ac

another thing, if you live in Springfield or surrounding areas you are going to feel the economic pain if afscme “gets destroyed”. you don’t live in a bubble. if state workers succeed then everyone wins. please pull your uninformed head out of the sand and quit hating cause you don’t know how to get a raise for yourself.

Comment by yoyo Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:26 pm
afscme does need to get a clue and forget these useless rallies like the one tomorrow, they have no effect on rauner. you need to strike and quit waiting for a last minute reprieve, you look like fools.

Comment by yoyo Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:29 pm
Merit bonuses is exactly what led to the crminal behavior at Wells-Fargo.

Comment by PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:31 pm
Illinois under Rauner trying its best to become the next Kansas.

Cut taxes and cut services and wait for the money to rain down. What could possibly go wrong?

Comment by Blue Bayou Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:35 pm
–Below is some guidance on the two proposals-merit pay and overtime after 40 hours-that we are proceeding to implement as soon as operationally feasible so that you may witness the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station.–

Wait a minute — that can’t be right.

But it’s in the spirit of things.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7-tskP0OzI

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 5:42 pm
Wouldn’t this just fall under back pay since it’s a bonus for a fiscal year already ended?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 6:08 pm
@ -yoyo Perfect nickname. Where have y’all been for two years? Just waiting to pounce and spew? Trolls. Blech.

Comment by Tom Servo Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:08 pm
I’m curious if the bonus for all will still be on the table if the union takes it to court.

I’m guessing this is already written in the last, best, and final so the admin can’t pull this as some form of punishment?

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:24 pm
Not sure how you pay money earned last fiscal year. Might take some legislation.

Comment by Union Dues Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:25 pm
better get your transfer to IDOT, with the safe roads amendment passing they will have more money than they know what to do with. And we have totally free insurance, no 40 work min for overtime, no outsourcing and our bonus was $3000. New equipment has been arriving daily, next thing we’ll have are leather seats in the snow plows

Comment by foster brooks Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:29 pm
==Not sure how you pay money earned last fiscal year. Might take some legislation. ==

Happens every year when you get a paycheck in July for work you did in June.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:46 pm
Congrats to all the AFSCME members who were so proud to vote for Rauner two years ago. They stuck it to Quinn, for sure.

Comment by DuPage Dave Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:46 pm
Governor Rauner visited all the agencies last year and had a meeting with all the employees. He said “I want you to to know that I got your back.”

Yea.. he’’s got our backs, in order to stab a knife in it.

Comment by Rufus Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:47 pm
Hey folks just ask OW the tradesman spokesman ” 8 for 8″ , 8 hours worked for 8 hours paid . If you can’t cut it as a plumber an electrician a cement finisher a carpenter that can do millwork , your check is at the end of the day , next ! You earn merit by skill, in the trades you got a boo boo and call in sick you’re replaced . Time is money ,skill or lack of affects profit , yes afscme employers need profit to continue sorry ? should that be the same with non trades? If any of you say stress or responsibility not like construction workers !!! Bite me

Comment by Railrat Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:47 pm
foster brooks — wish all those people who say “18 other unions have accepted the Governor’s offer, why can’t AFSCME?” would read your post. I’m sure AFSCME would have jumped at the chance to get the same deal as the Teamsters the day after the inauguration.

Comment by Whatever Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:49 pm
== Happens every year when you get a paycheck in July for work you did in June. ==

That is paid during the lapse period; it ended September 30th.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:56 pm
Oh - railrat -, lol…

You see me taking the banner for AFSCME here? I don’t. Actually I’ve always been in the camp that elections have consequences, and while some members directly I have sympathy for, AFSCME decided Quinn was “bad” at the wrong time.

As for the Trades, you really need to read.

The Decatur PowerPoint lumping trades and all of Labor, public sector lumped in with everyone has always been my beef.

The mistake Rauner has made with Labor was not parsing out the labor organizations he could “target” and leave the trades, as an example, alone. (See: mend fences with Local 150)

Deciding that prevailing wage and collective bargaining is bad… Well, I remember as far back as 2014 Labor outwardly and proudly supporting Republicans.

Raunerites don’t need Labor, don’t have a want for Labor…

That’s where I have always been. Always.

So when Rauner decided to take on all of Labor, that’s his choice, and I remember friendly Labor and won’t turn my back because Rauner thinks people make too much money … those carrying a Union Card. Any card.

So… Read, learn, understand…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 7:57 pm
What about the non-AFSCME employees like university employees who will get the larger healthcare premiums but not the bonuses.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 8:13 pm
I find it a frustrating mistake that Rauner lumped in all labor together and went after the trades right off the back. Horrible move.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 8:18 pm
I ran into my brother in law tonight who is on the AFSCME bargaining committee. He thinks they will prevail in court eventually over the issue of whether they are really at an impasse. He also said that could take a year and a half to two years to wind thru the court though.

Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 8:24 pm
===I find it a frustrating mistake that Rauner lumped in all labor together and went after the trades right off the back. Horrible move.===

Rauner bet that it wouldn’t hurt electorally, and the 2012 quote, Rauner believe applying a full court press on Labor and Social Services, the Turnaround Agenda would pass easily.

The fallout has been Labor coalescing around anything Non-Rauner, be it McCann, Dunkin, even Mendoza, races where Labor appeared to make electoral noise.

The jury is out on both the electoral and political verdict, as Rauner still got 6 more seats in the General Assembly.

But, it pains me that the full frontal assault on all organized labor allows the burning of bridges for Republicans that were quite sturdy just 2 years ago.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 8:34 pm
=The fallout has been Labor coalescing around anything Non-Rauner, be it McCann, Dunkin, even Mendoza, races where Labor appeared to make electoral noise.=

Honest question… You think the trades played a large role here? Seemed like the “We Support State Workers” movement to me.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 8:53 pm
OW I really enjoy your love fest with this local 150 , how many public sector members do they represent ? Are they In direct competition with SEIU and AFSCME? and are they in direct competition in collective bargaining issues with the tradesmen/ women that the original charter of that union and the core membership of that trade is supposed to represent. Read and learn ! Mend fences ? Really check out the D2s and let us know the % of GOP PAC vs. Dems . And since your so engaged with that 150 group go back to 86 for your pie chart ! Maybe an elected takes on a voting block (labor) predicated on the way that voting block (labor) relates to the elected ? What is friendly labor ? To who and at what definition ? $$$ yard signs ??? And as much as you think union cards are the same my guess is many tradesmen and women voted Trump also ! Sorry

Comment by Railrat Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 8:55 pm
- Robert the 1st -

I think McCann was measurable, I also believe, thou if need to see exit polling and look at numbers in a serious way, that Mendoza’s 10-point leakage from Duckworth and Clinton was due in large part to the successful as campaign against her, but the margin, the 4% that carried the day, in a POTUS voting universe, statewide, could very well be Labor and Democrats “staying home” in this case and going down, Clinton, Duckworth, and then Mendoza.

It’s 10 points. That’s not just underperforming, that’s being taken into your own orbit within that universe and fighting for every vote everywhere… including Labor.

The key has always been, Labor alone isn’t going to flip 6, 7, 8 seats anymore all on their own. No way. Pick 3 maximum. Even that is really tough, and carry the day.

Make some races sweat, make others burn resources (although with Rauner the effect is almost 100% in reverse).

The real trick now? What will turnout and margins be in 2018 and can all of Labor coming home against Rauner be that 2, 3, maybe 4% margin of victory?

I dunno. Low turnout, low plurality, Rauner can win again, comfortably.

So, Labor, did they play a role? Depends where you look, how you look, and meld that with Trump numbers. Then you may have a tell.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 9:02 pm
- Railrat -

Whew.

Your rant was entertaining and angry.

I’m confused… so you’re saying trades don’t back Repubicans?

Your rant when all over, I guess clarification might… help?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 9:19 pm
Dude Abides, I hope your brother-in-law is right about a lengthy court battle. But Rauner would still consider it a win since he wouldn’t end up paying any raises for his first term. I still think signing that tolling agreement was a mistake on AFSCME part. Rauner’s lawyers probably expected that would be how they’d get their 4-year wage freeze.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 9:20 pm
===And as much as you think union cards are the same my guess is many tradesmen and women voted Trump also ! Sorry===

Wasn’t Trump a… Republican?

- Railrat -, what are you saying?

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 9:36 pm
Very small sample size here… but I know one letter carrier and one trade union member who told me they voted Trump (first GOP vote I know of). I’d be curious if that changed their down ticket… both in the Springfield area.

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 9:45 pm
I don’t think either pay much attention to local/state politics… so maybe?

Comment by Robert the 1st Wednesday, Nov 16, 16 @ 9:46 pm
If the union can convince the appellate court that they will likely prevail in the case a temporary injunction can be issued where the current contract stays in place. More than likely I think this is going to be flipped over in court.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 2:49 am
Can an employer force an employee to do overtime? Will an employee work 10 extra hours a month/ 2.5 a week to get overtime? Doubtful. What happens then?

Comment by EX SPSA Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 4:51 am
I skimmed the comments and I don’t think anyone has observed this yet:

Basically this bonus would go to just about everyone with the exception of folks that use the other time codes with frequency, for example unauthorized or authorized leaves, or unpaid time away from state.

This seems to specifically target folks that take time away from state business to handle union business. Typically the union makes up for the lost wages, but on the surface this seems like a means of punishing active union members.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 9:41 am
The restriction on the 1000 bucks is probably meant to only effect UA’s and XA’s. But I have a feeling it will “accidentally” affect unpaid union time like Anon said. Like members of the bargaining committee. Nice little swipe at the people who wasted 2 years of their time bargaining with a governor who was always going to impose his terms.

Comment by Union proud Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 10:01 am
Do state employees, whether union or not, fall under the new federal Department of Labor rules governing nonexempt employees regarding overtime beginning at 40 hours even if you work a 37.5 hour week, and that you must take lunch within 5 hours of punching in? These are new regulations that nonprofits must now follow.

Comment by Chicago Barb Thursday, Nov 17, 16 @ 6:12 pm