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Manar wants Rauner to “personally” negotiate AFSCME contract

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Illinois

AFSCME going on strike would be unprecedented and Senator Andy Manar says the Governor should personally be involved in negotiations trying to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Manar says the union is willing to move on their proposals, but he hasn’t seen a willingness to compromise from the Governor.

During a press call Monday, Senator Manar says if there is a strike he will support bills that would protect union members.

“The Governor should personally involve himself in this contract negotiation at this point,” said Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill. “He sold himself to the people of the state as a businessman that can make deals and bring stability to state government. There’s no better place to show that that’s the case than right now with this impasse with AFSCME. By the looks of it this isn’t going to end well and we’re either looking at a strike or a lockout in a very short period of time.”

Did Rauner really sell himself as a guy who could “make deals and bring stability to state government”? Did Sen. Manar forget about the time when candidate Rauner said…

“I may have to take a strike and shut down the government for a few weeks,” he said, with Dan Proft looking on. Rauner said he might not be happy about it, but “I will do it proudly because it’s the right thing to do.”

So, how would Rauner negotiating this thing personally solve the problem?

* Finke…

“AFSCME has taken a profound step toward the Rauner administration with their latest proposal, and I would call on the administration to take a profound step toward AFSCME so we can have a settlement,” Manar said in a conference call with reporters Monday.

He was referring to a letter AFSCME sent to the Rauner administration a week ago setting out a “framework” to resume talks on a new contract. That included agreeing to a four-year freeze in base salary increases, although the union wants to continue step increases for the roughly 40 percent of its members who still qualify for them. The union also said it’s willing to have members pay higher health insurance costs, but not the 100 percent increases the union says the administration is seeking.

Last week, AFSCME said it will ask its members to vote on authorizing a strike. The union said if members approve, the 200-member bargaining committee could call a strike at some point, but a strike was not assured.

“This situation is eroding, and without Gov. Rauner being personally involved and personally invested in negotiating a contract, I’m deeply concerned about where this is going,” Manar said. “Nothing good would come of locking out state employees, replacing state employees, threatening state employees with their jobs.”

Emphasis added because those step increases ain’t cheap. Was it a significant move by AFSCME? Heck, yes. Was it “profound”? Not quite.

But, hey, Manar has a lot of state workers in his district, so he ought to be speaking on their behalf.

* Rauner administration response…

The Rauner Administration’s track record of successfully negotiating contracts with 19 other unions speaks for itself. Our approach includes earning overtime after working 40 hours, implementing workplace safety task forces, and using volunteers at veterans’ homes and state parks. Instead of parroting AFSCME’s irresponsible strike talk, Sen. Manar should encourage the union to work with us to implement these items that are fair to both employees and taxpayers.

That 40-hour thing is just a killer. I get what’s going on here with the unpaid time for lunch, but they should find a way around that somehow.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:47 am

Comments

Andy Manar; the Henry Kissinger of the Illinois Legislature. NOT.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:52 am
Has there been any news on the ruling that was supposed to take place last Friday? Regarding the stay during the appeal process

Comment by Mr.Black Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:53 am
With respect to Senator Manar negotiations would likely be MORE contentious if Governor Rauner personally worked with AFSCME.

The overtime issue could be a real problem for AFSCME going forward. A federal judge recently negated President Obama’s overtime edit, and a majority of white collar workers and COMPLETELY EXEMPT from overtime. I know of NO political staffers who receive overtime pay. None. We may receive comp time or time off considerations but we are exempt. The reason I mention this is because it presents an interesting dynamic in Springfield and sets up a dichotomy between rank-and-file public sector union members and political staffers/hires who are exempt from overtime rules, receive no overtime pay at all and are 100% at will employees.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:54 am
==Has there been any news on the ruling that was supposed to take place last Friday? Regarding the stay during the appeal process==

If it was a hearing scheduled in Metro East, it probably didn’t happen Friday

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:59 am
An inane idea, kinda shameless really.

Comment by Deft Wing Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:59 am
Ya that 40hr thing is a message killer for AFSCME. Time to accept it, holding off on that 1 is impossible.

Comment by Mason born Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:10 am
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 9:59 am:

==Has there been any news on the ruling that was supposed to take place last Friday? Regarding the stay during the appeal process==

If it was a hearing scheduled in Metro East, it probably didn’t happen Friday—-

It was rescheduled for Jan 24 due to bad weather.
As for Team Sleep, the rules are different for you because the hiring process was different. AFSCME employees go through a competitive, skill or qualification based hiring process, whereas political staffers are hired at will.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:12 am
I don’t think the 40 hour work week is a big issue, but asking for a 4 year freeze when there has already been a freeze in place for most employees for years. The cost of living keeps going up.

Comment by MAMA Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:14 am
Rauner drew his line in the sand a long time ago. If he was serious about ending this, he could have responded positively and bargained some more.

Rauner wants the union to eat a big sacrifice. This contract will cost workers a lot of money. Rauner is also not reciprocating by supporting higher taxation on millionaires, billionaires and wealthy corporations.

That to me in a nutshell should be the narrative or part of it for the union and its allies. Huge sacrifices for workers, none for the super-rich.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:15 am
Let’s here it for the working man, Senator Manar is doing everything he can to be the most region focused gubernatorial candidate Illinois has ever seen. No way all of this posturing backfires, no way!

Comment by Friend of the parks Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:16 am
Look, this weekend at the AFSCME Legislative Conference I learned a startling fact. We’ve lost thirty percent 3….0 of the workforce. That’s well past the point of no return people. We had the smallest workforce per capita before Rauner. Now we’re shooting for the smallest period.

So Rauner wants to force us out on strike? If he does the engine won’t start again folks. Not kidding

Two new trainees first day today. One fresh out of college. The other looks to be about 70. In all the metro east. This is all we can get. Nobody wants to work for the state. Those who would say otherwise don’t work for the state.

We won’t have a functioning state when this is over.

But of course Rauner knows this

Almost up to phase three.

Sell it

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:18 am
I think most state workers would agree with the 40 hour week rule if the state would get rid of the mandating. With what they are proposing, if you take a vacation day, holiday, or personal day, you can pretty much expect to be working a 16 hour shift the day you come back.

Comment by Sheshe Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:20 am
A friend who has been on a few strikes in his lifetime said, “Nothing good comes from a strike.” On the other hand, nothing good comes from ‘not standing up’ for what you believe in. AFSCME members are between a rock and a hard place.

Comment by MAMA Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:21 am
There isn’t a problem with having overtime start at 40 hours. The issue is that State employees work 40 hours with a 1/2 unpaid lunch = 37.5 hours. It has been that way since sometime back in the 1960s. If Gov Rauner wants overtime to begin at 40 hours of “worked” time then he should change our hours to reflect a typical 40 hour work week. He doesn’t do this because it will cost a great deal to “redo” current systems in Payroll and Timekeeping to account for the new change.

But here is the hang up that State employees have with this idea Gov Rauner is pitching to the public. Under his terms anyone that worked beyond their normal schedule would be getting paid straight time for the first 2 1/2 hours of overtime “each week”. Now most people don’t have a big issue with this part; however, then there is the additional kicker.

If there is a holiday in that same week (for instance)MLK day. That same worker would now have to work 10 hours of overtime at the straight pay before seeing anything at the actual 1.5 overtime rate.

Comment by TruthBeTold Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:26 am
Honeybear, “We’ve lost thirty percent 3….0 of the workforce.”

Thirty percent was lost from what point (the last 2 years, 5 years or more)?

Comment by MAMA Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:26 am
The one and only point which cannot be accepted is the outsourcing language. All other parts of the proposal could be digested if necessary.

Comment by NobodysAccountable Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:26 am
I feel you Honeybear. When I was hired in the early 90s, the State Police had close to 2500 sworn. Today, we are at a little over 1300 sworn. Almost a 50% decrease. So when you see troopers walking the Ike looking for shell casings after a shooting, you’re pretty much seeing all the manpower for that sector.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:32 am
Rich thanks for calling out Senator Manar on his odd understanding of Governor Rauner’s stance during the elections relating to public sector unionism. Senator Manar desperately wants to always appear to be a reasonable man, hence he wants always to argue as did Rodney King did back 1992 while LA was on fire:

“People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along? Can we stop making it, making it horrible for the older people and the kids? … It’s just not right. It’s not right. It’s not, it’s not going to change anything. We’ll, we’ll get our justice … Please, we can get along here. We all can get along. I mean, we’re all stuck here for a while. Let’s try to work it out. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to beat it. Let’s try to work it out.”

Comment by Rod Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:34 am
If only “message” and “reality” were on the same planet. I know none of YOU would work an extra 3 weeks a year for free. But that’s what moving to 40 hour weeks would do to the smallest per capita state workforce in the country.

Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:34 am
Rizzo - so are you saying that political staffers and people who work for businesses/corporations don’t go through a competitive hiring process? I guess I shouldn’t admit this but I’m baffled that people would think or assume that. I guess that’s the public perception. But every position I’ve held and most positions friends and family have held within private businesses were the end result of a competitive and often intense application, screening and selection process.

My larger point was to the perception and how people outside of the union sphere and state government would view the inane pushback against the 40 hours and lunch stance.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:35 am
Is it really time to deal. This strike vote puts another tool in the box, if successful, but use of that tool is risky. And with 2018 actually visible on the horizon, a waiting game might also seem attractive to both sides. For example, what would be state budget implications for a status quo until 2018. Cheaper than a deal?

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:41 am
For clarification, the Governor’s proposal does not change the work week to 40 hours. If an agency is at a 37.5 hour work week, they will stay at a 37.5 hour work week. The change only eliminates time and a half for any overtime worked in the first 2.5 hour. That doesn’t seem all that unreasonable to me.

The potentially bigger change is the elimination of overtime based on hours worked during the day. In some cases, that could lead to employees working long shifts with no compensation and with little notice. That could be an unreasonable request depending on how it is implemented.

Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:42 am
AFSCME really needs to pound the table about that 40 hour overtime thing; lot’s of sympathy will be generated, right up there with child labor !

Comment by Texas Red Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:42 am
If having the governor more directly involved with negotiations reduces concern trolling emails from John Terranova, it’s a definite win, regardless of the outcome.

Being stuck forever at step 1a is a strong disincentive for many new employees to start a career with the State of Illinois. If there isn’t an opportunity to move through the salary range, and health insurance premiums are likely to skyrocket, it will certainly hurt recruitment efforts. I believe this is by design, to create the necessity to contract out services. Plus, creating what would be a two tier pay system would add to any resentment that already exists between tier 1 and tier 2 employees. Again, I think this is by design, as the administration prefers union members to fight among themselves rather than with the administration. As for the 40 hour work week, the union did describe their framework as a starting point for further negotiations.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:43 am
Andy Manar, the most arrogant member of the Illinois General Assembly… and that’s a very high bar.

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:45 am
I sympathize with workers who may potentially go on strike but there are two sides to every story. After starting in AFSCME during a 40-yr career, being sued by a union employee in federal court (state management won the case , endlessly fighting the union for smoke break, lunch break and other abuses, I finally bailed out.

My experience with AFSCME was a disaster and generally seemed to be over rather petty and preventable stuff. I spent countless hours of unpaid overtime to get my real job done because I spent the rest of the day dealing with employee union issues-without a raise my last 7-8 years.

Comment by Soccertease Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:46 am
Team Sleep…I think the political world and corporate world need to be separated. I’ve worked in the corporate world and know it’s very competitive. Not so much for the political hiring. Government isn’t corporate, and it only makes sense that politicians hire those that they feel they can trust and who can do the job the way they want it done. That being said, political hires do not go through a competing process and should be treated differently.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:47 am
Of course Rauner personally intervening in negotiations would set those negotiations back. That’s not the point of Manar suggesting it. The TV cameras, THAT’S the point. And if it sparks a big conversation about what Rauner’s not doing, and how if he tried he’d just make things worse, well, that’s just gravy.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:48 am
While the step increases can be costly, they are essential to keep a quality workforce. Without them, newer employees will find themselves working for much less than their co-workers. In the early stages of a career, that makes sense since new employees are oftren less productive, but over time, that difference will diminish, but the pay gap won’t. When you look at the fact that these employees are mostly in Tier II and subject to basically the same healthcare premiums as their higher paid co-workers, it’s hard to imagine the good ones staying around for very long.

Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:49 am
A salary freeze is one in which a salary remains the same from the previous year. I wish folks would stop adding qualifiers such as “base salary increases” to the freeze discussion. People hear “freeze” and think no increase whatsoever.

Since inflation has been hovering around 1-1.5% the past few years, the “base salary” freeze requested by AFSCME is not really much of a giveaway. The money is in the step increases around 2.7%.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:49 am
==Ya that 40hr thing is a message killer for AFSCME. Time to accept it, holding off on that 1 is impossible. ==

Agreed, but this is something you trade for AT the bargaining table, not before you get there.

Comment by Gruntled University Employee Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:50 am
Soccertease - the merit comp folks who have seen little to no increase in their salary since Blago aren’t exactly going to benefit from the implementation of Rauner’s health insurance proposal.

Comment by AC Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:51 am
Makes Rauner sense to cut salaries and benefits when there is a shortage of workers. Kill it and privatize it.

Comment by Liberty Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:54 am
Not all but most non-facility staff work 8:30 to 5. That’s 42.5 hours minus an hour lunch which equals 37.5. Pushing the OT threshold to 40 means every worker could be kept till 5:30 every day on straight time with no notice. Got plans to pick your kid up from daycare? Too bad. Got an appointment after work? Too bad. Then what even worse is how all other time won’t count towards the 40. Had a holiday Monday? Sick? Kid sick? Then you can now be kept over for hours on straight time on Tuesday. Combine this with the weakening of the mandation language and this is ripe for abuse.

Comment by Union proud Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:56 am
This has nothing to do with what’s good for IL. Rauner has a personal agenda to destroy Rauner.

The AFSCME purposal a week ago was nearly the same contract that Rauner approved with the conservation police.

Rauner basically laughed in AFSCME’s face when they purposed what Conservation Police got. This has nothing to do with what’s best. This has to do with Rauner winning his trophy of destroying the biggest public sector union in the country.

Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:57 am
The 40 hour work week issue is all about 24/7 facilities. If I go to the doctor on Monday and use sick time and then my relieving shift is short on Friday and I get mandated I will work a double on Friday - at straight time - because I didn’t “work” on Monday. If managemt had the right to choose between an employee who will work a double and someone has to do it at straight time or pay others a portion, or entirely at time and half, guess who they will pick…. 24/7 facilities mandate everyday statewide. This is a big deal.

Comment by W.S. Wolcott Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 10:58 am
It seems to me a solution might be just paying AFSCME straight time for lunch. So, a 40 hour work week includes 2.5 hours of lunch per week. Seems simple enough to me…that’s how we do it in my union.

Comment by Ratso Rizzo Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:00 am
It’s going to have to be overtime after an eight hour work day. Otherwise those of us that work voluntary overtime, won’t. With such a small workforce, some voluntary overtime is required to keep operations running smoothly. You will see a serious drop in state services if the 40 hour rule is implemented.

Imagine if the Amber alert system goes down just before a three day weekend and no knowledgeable person volunteers to fix it.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:04 am
** Then what even worse is how all other time won’t count towards the 40. Had a holiday Monday? Sick? Kid sick? Then you can now be kept over for hours on straight time on Tuesday. **

How so ? Off on Monday for a holiday or vacation, you take 8 hours PTO and work 32 (4×8). If you end up staying late 2 hours one day, then you only consume 6 hours of PTO.

Comment by DGD Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:07 am
AC===the merit comp folks who have seen little to no increase in their salary since Blago aren’t exactly going to benefit from the implementation of Rauner’s health insurance proposal.===

It was inevitable that the dam would break some day because of state employee salaries, vacation days, sick days, holidays and other rather cheap benefits. Retirees like me will pay the price too and I’m a realist.

Comment by Soccertease Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:10 am
What part of impasse does AFSCME not understand? The Gov declared it, the arbitrators confirmed it, so why is AFSCME negotiating with themselves? Publicly no less?

Have they really not been paying any attention since 2014?

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:18 am
What is the current status of negotiations on privatization language. Lots of doomsday language in the national press on disappearance of well-paying mid-level jobs because of technology and, to a lesser degree, outsourcing. So any expansion of privatization options by the state would seem to be worthy of close consideration.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:23 am
** Imagine if the Amber alert system goes down just before a three day weekend and no knowledgeable person volunteers to fix it. **

That activity shouldn’t be voluntary - if the system is critical, then there should be someone on-call to respond 24×7. That’s how IT support works in the real world.

Comment by DGD Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:25 am
Aren’t corrections people required to stay on the grounds for eight hours, including their lunch? If that is true, then I think they should be getting paid for a full eight hours as stated in the Federal wage guidelines. Those guidelines say that if you are not free to go, then you should be paid.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:28 am
Rizzo - you are talking out of your rear end if you think political hires just get hired on a whim. Some of them do but after Governor Rauner was elected his transition team received thousands upon thousands of resumes and applications. It stands to reason that not all of those people were hired (or even interviewed). During my time as a Congressional staffer my D.C. boss had a filing cabinet full of resumes from people who wanted one of 20 jobs. There is serious competition for those jobs. Think about when the Republicans controlled NO statewide offices and had steep minorities at the Capitol. Think there was competition for those jobs?!

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:30 am
Rauner is trying to get the unions to get more in line with the rest of the US workforce, and what they face everyday. Now, the fact is, THAT workforce has seen significant erosions over the past few decades. So he’s attempting to seek equality…..of the 1% sort.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:31 am
Does anyone know how much implementing the changes will cost if Rauner gets his way? Every state agency has computerized payroll that calculates paychecks. EVERY system will need to be re-written from a computer perspective to allow the new business rules. This will most likely cost more to implement than leaving things as they are.

Comment by Cost of Change Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:32 am
On call requires wages per the federal guidelines. The state does not like paying on call time. If you are not on call, you don’t have to answer the phone.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:33 am
==EVERY system will need to be re-written from a computer perspective to allow the new business rules.==

This should be a system configuration and not a major coding change. Notice I said “should”…

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:42 am
Cost of Change - this is part of the problem with the state …”Every state agency has computerized payroll that calculates paychecks… EVERY system will need to be re-written ”

Waste and corruption !

Comment by Texas Red Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:42 am
== A friend who has been on a few strikes in his lifetime said, “Nothing good comes from a strike.” On the other hand, nothing good comes from ‘not standing up’ for what you believe in. ==

Current workers either lose or break even in the case of a strike. The only people that benefit from a strike that gains or keeps salary / benefits are the new union members who start in a better position than they would have before a strike.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:45 am
Does anybody know when and how the 37
5 hour work week came into being? I wonder if it was in lieu of a raise kind of deal.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:47 am
Stupid phone and fat fingers - 37.5 hour work week.

Comment by Huh? Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 11:48 am
In Raunerworld an Illinoisan needing state services will call. 1-800 number and be re-routed to an overseas call center where someone will read an answer from a book.

Comment by A non Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:17 pm
==The only people that benefit from a strike that gains or keeps salary / benefits are the new union members who start in a better position than they would have before a strike.==

Add teachers to that list. Since the minimum school year is mandated by law, teachers don’t lose out on salary and eventually work and get paid for any days lost to a strike. Puts the school district at a huge disadvantage in negotiations.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:20 pm
Mama. It’s simply the personal choice of how one wants to go down. You can lose an average of 10000 in earnings, lose your protections, and your dignity and self worth OR you fight retain your dignity and self worth, have a slim chance of prevailing thereby securing a better future for future public servants.
those living paycheck you know I’m not talking to you. It’s the tier ones I’m talking too.
Keeping the steps preserves our next generation.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:24 pm
Everyone’s criticizing AFSCME over the 40 hour work week, but here’s how I see it. I earn one sick day per month. I didn’t call in for the entire month, so I earn one sick day for not calling in. The next month, I or my child gets sick. So I used the sick day that I earned. Under Rauner’s proposal, he would be able to take the day that I earned back if there’s mandatory overtime. “You earned the sick day, but I have mandatory overtime, so I’m going to take back the day that you earned, make you work the overtime, but you only get straight time because you used the sick day.” That, in a nutshell, is Rauner’s proposal. That we give back the sick day we earned, if we use it, but there’s mandatory overtime. One more thing. Just because it’s done in the private sector doesn’t mean it’s right.

Comment by Hottot Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:24 pm
Not that I like Trump, but I wonder how he would react to one of his Governors moving jobs out of the country. In fact, he already has with the MyBenefits website. A Canadian firm is maintaining that site: Morneau Shepell. For someone who claims to want to create Illinois jobs, Rauner seems to speak with a forked tongue.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:27 pm
Honeybear, with all due respect - Public Servants and State Employees are two different things entirely.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:46 pm
“Honeybear, with all due respect - Public Servants and State Employees are two different things entirely.”

With all due respect- you are a troll.

PS- bite me

Comment by Union proud Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:52 pm
==Not all but most non-facility staff work 8:30 to 5. That’s 42.5 hours minus an hour lunch which equals 37.5.==
Private sector places I’ve worked subtract just a half hour for lunch, so the 8:30-5:00 could be maintained if you’d do half hour lunch.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:52 pm
==Public Servants and State Employees are two different things entirely==

From Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Definition of public servant
: a government official or employee

Comment by HangingOn Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 1:15 pm
=That we give back the sick day we earned=

Nope, you still get paid for it. The state really can’t afford to pay time-and-a-half before 40 hours. That’s just unheard of anywhere else.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 1:23 pm
When did state employees stop taking one hour lunch breaks?

Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 1:41 pm
With all due respect to Honeybear, most managers do not believe AFSCME represnented employees would stay off the job more than a week. And for that matter, neither does AFSCME leadership. That’s why AFSCME is avoiding the strike. Sadly they believe the union would collapse.

Comment by Ill-will Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 1:42 pm
Union Proud - I am not a troll - I am actually a public servant. And on that note, those of you who are state employees should stop surfing this blog and go back to work - that means you Union Proud.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 1:46 pm
Honeybear, I did not mean that union members should not strike. I totally understand why union members need to stand up for a fair contract, and I will stand with you.

Lost of pay and health insurance will hurt the union members the longer the strike last. Do you really think Rauner will give in to the union after 2 weeks or a month?

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:11 pm
I’ll-will. You’re probably right. We’re pretty shot but there again we might’ve surprised. But really what we will see is people leaving state service if they can. Look we’re down 30% since Rauner took office. The total collapse won’t take long.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:13 pm
=That’s why AFSCME is avoiding the strike. Sadly they believe the union would collapse.=

That’s what Rauner’s banking on. AFSCME’s only move here is to accept and wait out Rauner’s tenure. He seriously would be disappointed if that makes you feel better.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:18 pm
“- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 12:46 pm: ”
==Public Servants and State Employees are two different things entirely==

I don’t know where you went to school, but they clearly failed you.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:18 pm
Allknowingraccoon, why do you have to be like that? I bet you’re better than that in person. I don’t think you’d say that to me in person. Please, we’re going through enough right now to add unwarranted animosity. I’d hate to think that’s how you treat the public if you are a public servant.

Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:20 pm
Rich, the way I see it, the problem with the 40 hour work week is… being penalized for time off (including federal holidays). If you don’t see it that way, please educate us.

Comment by BeKindToOneAnother Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:27 pm
Honeybear - Not trying to add animosity, trying to add an opinion.

Anonymous - I went to a school where “servant” and “service” are things you do without being financially rewarded for doing those things.

Pretty good school. Where did you go Anonymous?

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:29 pm
=being penalized for time off (including federal holidays)=

You’re working for free? No, you’re still being paid extra. The state can’t afford time-and-a-half before 40 hours just like practically any other employer.

Comment by Robert the 1st Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:36 pm
Can we at least agree that “raccoon” is the correct spelling?

Comment by Geesh Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:39 pm
Geesh - Can we at least agree that “raccoon” is the correct spelling?

LOL, hysterical. Never noticed I spelled my own name incorrectly. Maybe that was a s____y school I attended.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:41 pm
Allknowingmaster…
That’s just surreal. I can’t even imagine where you went to “school”. You sound like an entitled kid whose Daddy forgot to tell him that those “servants” that waited on him were, in fact, being paid to do so.

Comment by wordonthestreet Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:41 pm
There is no strike support among union members. Everyone knows this. Pay check to
paycheck employees can’t afford unpaid days. Union though the Madigan’s D dominated GA would override any veto. Afscme didn’t negotiate in good faith. They didn’t get the override of the veto and now all they have is. waiting game for the courts to once again allow implementation of the last offer. get on with it. Tired of the nonsense.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:45 pm
Anonymous @2:45, the last poll says otherwise. Your personal opposition to unions doesn’t change the facts. Go home.

Comment by Mr.Black Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:52 pm
===I went to a school where “servant” and “service” are things you do without being financially rewarded for doing those things.===

So in your mind a self-service gas station or checkout aisle are technically correct. But a full service gas station isn’t service at all. Or when your ’server’ asks “How was your service?” at the end of your meal he/she is talking nonsense. Dude, you are as clueless as you are arrogant.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 2:53 pm
civilized

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:06 pm
Public servants can’t be trolls too?

- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 1:46

pm:

Union Proud - I am not a troll - I am actually a public servant. And on that note, those of you who are state employees should stop surfing this blog and go back to work - that means you Union Proud.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:11 pm
“I went to a school where “servant” and “service” are things you do without being financially rewarded for doing those things.”

Sounds like a pre-civil war Southern school to me. In the modern world “service” is was 80% of the population of the US does for a living.

Comment by Pelonski Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:16 pm
” And on that note, those of you who are state employees should stop surfing this blog and go back to work - that means you Union Proud.”

Even public servants get breaks and lunch…

Comment by Union proud Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:17 pm
QOTD idea,
Rauner wants Manar to “personally” (_____________________)

Fill in the blank!

Comment by Big Muddy Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:27 pm
What makes Senator Manar think Rauner wants to govern? Where has the Senator been for these pass two years?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 3:28 pm
The service argument is foolish. A service is something someone provides most of the time in exchange for compensation. A plumber provides a service. A consultant provides a service. There are rare cases where missionaries serve a community. Service isn’t always free.

Comment by Bobert Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:23 pm
Cubs in 16 - pretty stupid argument. Word smithing to make a point went out of style in November.

Pelonski - nice profiling/bigotry. Your liberal friends would be proud.

wordonthestreet - the fact that you don’t understand my explanation of true service is abundantly clear by your nonsense attack that is supposed to support an actual opinion you may have.

My statement on service is pretty clear. I didn’t learn it at any school. I learned it at home from my parents, and a very good book.

Pretty typical responses from you three. It seems that when faced with the simplest, most direct communication, your types just can’t comprehend and respond with attacks.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:40 pm
Huh?
I’ve traced the 37.5 hour state work week to 20 ILCS 5/6-635, previously 20 ILCS 5/18, previously IRS Ch. 127, par. 18, Laws 1965, page 542, as cited in Public Act 91-0239 ( http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/pubact91/acts/91-0239.html ). Now, if some legal eagle amongst us can access the Laws 1965 at a law library to see if there is an even earlier incarnation … .

Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 4:51 pm
It is dangerous when those in power are billionaires in worth and can self fund there own medical needs. Some might compare this to Trump but to me Donald Trump is a business man he negotiates deals. Rauner wants to impose and tell tall tales. He could easily avoid all this and make leaps in communication. Trumps at least tweets

Comment by Cleric Dcn Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 5:40 pm
===My statement on service is pretty clear. I didn’t learn it at any school. I learned it at home from my parents, and a very good book.===

And…

===I went to a school where “servant” and “service” are things you do without being financially rewarded for doing those things.===

You ding even know what you’re citing and what you learned, let alone spelling raccoon wrong.

When you want to argue like an adult, let all of us know.

Your pompous ignorance by pretending your “better” and yet spelling your own name wrong is you in a nutshell.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 6:50 pm
*didn’t*
*you’re*

Comment by Cadillac Tuesday, Jan 17, 17 @ 8:22 pm