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* UPDATED x1 -AFSCME responds * Rauner’s top lawyer talks about using National Guard if AFSCME strikes

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Rauner representatives spoke with the Daily Herald editorial board this week about preparations in case the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees votes to strike later this month. The union and the governor have failed to agree on a contract proposal, with the governor’s office rejecting the union’s latest proposal earlier this month

Dennis Murashko, the governor’s general counsel, said the governor could fill spots by mobilizing the Illinois National Guard, as Minnesota did in 2001. The governor’s office estimates 28,000 to 30,000 workers around the state could go on strike. AFSCME is scheduled to take a strike vote Jan. 30.

So, maybe now we know why the governor doesn’t want to mobilize the National Guard to help quell Chicago’s violence? /snark

…Adding… Wordslinger makes a valid point in comments…

That’s not snark.

Consider how much time and effort Rauner and the Frat Boys have invested in fighting AFSCME.

Now, compare that to the time and effort they’ve invested in fighting the Chicago homicide explosion.

*** UPDATE *** From AFSCME…

For more than year Bruce Rauner has refused to compromise or even meet with our union, leaving public service workers no choice but to consider authorizing a strike. Rauner is demanding a 100% hike in employee health costs paired with a four-year wage freeze for nearly 40,000 men and women who protect Illinois children, care for veterans, help struggling families and more. Now news reports suggest that Rauner is threatening to try to break a strike with the National Guard—a scheme that was widely criticized when first rumored 18 months ago. Everyone of good conscience, regardless of party, should tell Bruce Rauner to renounce his reckless National Guard scheme, reject confrontation and seek a fair compromise with AFSCME.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

Bernie, by the way, profiled Murashko the other day. Murashko said his favorite Supreme Court Justice is Clarence Thomas. He comes from the Jones Day law firm, which is infamous for its defense of corporations against unions.

* Anyway, how did things go in Minnesota? From an October 2, 2001 NY Times story…

Nearly 28,000 Minnesota state employees walked off the job today in a demand for higher pay, drawing criticism from many Minnesotans, who said the strikers were acting selfishly at a time of national crisis [a few weeks after the September 11th attacks]. […]

The strike, one of the nation’s largest in decades involving public employees, pits two powerful unions against Minnesota’s usually outspoken governor, Jesse Ventura, who has adopted a low profile in this dispute.

The walkout began at 6 a.m. and immediately had a broad effect. Driving tests and birth registrations were delayed. The Minnesota Zoo was closed. The Minnesota National Guard deployed 920 of its members to help operate 120 state-run health care centers, whose social workers, psychologists, nurses’ aides, food workers and janitors were among the strikers.

* An LA Times story from the same day…

To fill some of the most crucial positions, Ventura has turned to the National Guard. About 1,000 reservists will report to state-run health care facilities, such as nursing homes for veterans, to feed and care for patients. Others will perform routine maintenance work to make sure, for instance, that boilers are working at all state facilities, Wodele said.

* The strike ended about two weeks later…

Workers went on strike three weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and the timing has been a public-relations challenge for union members.

Managers pulled double-duty and as many as 1,000 members of the Minnesota National Guard helped out in nursing homes, veterans homes, security hospitals and treatment centers.

Services were disrupted in some state agencies, but no major problems were reported.

Poll results released Friday found that more than half of respondents felt it “wrong for state employees to be on strike now.” The Star Tribune newspaper poll also found people more sympathetic to the administration’s position than to the unions’.

* Related…

* Roberta Lynch: Refusing to compromise, Rauner risks a strike

* Austin Berg: AFSCME strike vote is an insult to middle-class

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:13 am

Comments

You know who else used the military to run their bureaucracy?

The Romans!

(Not who you thought I was going to say, right?)

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:14 am
It would be a mistake not to use them before trump

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:16 am
If he admires legal lightweight and Anita Hill harasser Clarence Thomas, it tells me all I need to know about him.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:18 am
–So, maybe now we know why the governor doesn’t want to mobilize the National Guard to help quell Chicago’s violence? /snark–

That’s not snark.

Consider how much time and effort Rauner and the Frat Boys have invested in fighting AFSCME.

Now, compare that to the time and effort they’ve invested in fighting the Chicago homicide explosion.

It’s not even close. Their priorities could not be more clear, or twisted.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:22 am
Good luck trying to fill all those specialized jobs that require years of training in policy, procedure and computer programs. There’s a reason why those are good-paying jobs and why workers fight for them.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:22 am
Well yeah, duh. Striking weeks after 9/11 would get you that public response. But with huge opposition to Trump legitimizing mass protest, I’d think the circumstances are different. IMHO

With Trump wanting to use them it will ally Rauner to trump and I think put the union in a better light.

But there again I was totally wrong about the black caucus.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:23 am
Two takeaways from the stories posted.

1) National guard didn’t prevent significant disruptions.

2) Public opinion is a concern for the unions.

The posting of the latest AFSCME proposal was probably aimed at (rightfully IMHO) framing this more as an action in response to unreasonable actions by Rauner than a selfish act by greedy state workers. If AFSCME can get enough votes and participation to actually pull off a vote, they will have to continue a PR effort to counter Rauner PR efforts to capture the hearts and minds of the public.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:23 am
For those agencies that receive federal funds, I wonder if there are programmatic agreements in place that require full time employees to perform certain tasks and functions of the agency. If so, putting a Guardsman in the seat temporarily won’t do much good.

I wonder how many of the National Guard are sympathetic to AFSCME?

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:32 am
Going to be interesting to see how they plan on keeping the revenue generating parts of the government up and running. Good luck with that. /s

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:36 am
If they do strike, they need to be on television daily taking about the costs Rauner is trying to impose on them, as Willy correctly stated on a past thread. PR will be very important in combatting the Rauner propaganda. He will attempt to spread lies both far and wide.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:37 am
Yeah, Army guns and uniforms in East St Louis. Mmmmhuhhhh……yeah that’s going to go really well. S/

That just shows how disconnected from the reality of people’s lives Rauners people are.

Thanks Dennis. This will go nicely into our public relations strategy. You gave me great hope counselor.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:46 am
I can only imagine how much our governor would have reveled in being Minnesota’s governor during that time after 9/11.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:46 am
How many state union wotkers are in the guard?

Comment by Lew Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:50 am
I wonder if Rauner has looked at the percentage of national guard members that are public employees. Taking folks who are correction officers, cops and EMTs and putting them in the ‘non-essential’ positions that are allowed to strike could cause a problem

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:53 am
This seems like good news for state enployees who are concerned they will try to hire temps to replace them full time. The National Guard can’t stay on the job forever.

Comment by Seats Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:53 am
you know it’s only a matter of time before premiere trump declares war on somebody and those troops will be mobilized.

Comment by Rogue Roni Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:56 am
–The National Guard can’t stay on the job forever.–

Real questions:

1. Would the National Guard be covered under the current court order of pay-without-approp?

2. If not, can you make the National Guard work without pay?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 11:57 am
Honeybear, I can’t count the number of times in the past years I’ve said, after making a grand and wise pronouncement, “but then again I was dead wrong about…” (take your pick). It’s not fun to be honest with yourself, but it’s an effort to keep it real. Kudos to you

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:00 pm
“I wonder how many of the National Guard are sympathetic to AFSCME?”

I wonder how many of the National Guard are members of AFSCME. And if so, can they be forced to cross a picket line?

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:08 pm
A cursory review on the Internet reveals that the Minnesota NG deployed 920 members to operate State-run Healthcare centers where people needed treatment and meals and to keep boilers running. They weren’t doing the daily administration at State agencies. And it looks like AFSCME prevailed in the end. Google “Minnesota Public Employees Win the Largest Strike in State History”

Comment by (un)Happy Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:12 pm
What if there’s a flood or other natural disaster? Riots?
What if they get called up to patrol the “Wall” construction site or to go grab the Iraqi oil?

Comment by northsider (the original) Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:13 pm
Bingo Nickname. I myself know several Guard officers and NCO’s. Same folks tend to be union leaders. I was Navy. Think hard Rauner. You can’t un-see rifles at State offices.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:19 pm
==as Minnesota did in 2001==

Damn. Bad enough when we were emulating Walker and Pence, but now we’re taking lessons from Jesse The Body?

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:20 pm
Management has been treated so poorly through the current and past administrations that there are few knowledgeable ones left. AFSCME employees ARE the knowledgeable ones remaining in my corner of state government. Management can not perform the frontline duties in our division they have never been trained to perform the complex and critical responsibilities at my worksite, and our management lack the credentials and degree requirements. National guard simply is not a realistic threat for a replacement..not in my job.

Comment by Johnnie F. Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:21 pm
Why doesn’t Rauner go back to the bargaining table? The union has agreed on a wage freeze, 2 year step freeze, 8.5% health care increase….is a 8.5% decrease in your pay nothing? And that’s a starting point. He may even hose us a little more!

Comment by sickntired Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:30 pm
You can make National Guard work without current pay, but there is a minimum you would have to pay them eventually. It generally has to be a state of emergency. I don’t know if a strike really qualifies for that.

Also, since most National Guard soldiers have full time jobs, you are going to cause a lot of disruption and pain for their employers.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:30 pm
Only way this is good PR for the union is if Mendoza stops paychecks and people stop working.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:32 pm
Wouldn’t it be easier for Rauner to just return to the bargaining table? Especially after the concessions we made. We don’t want a strike! We want a contract. Rauner rather use the national guard? Wow, it shows he really wants to destroy the state workforce.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:35 pm
–Also, since most National Guard soldiers have full time jobs, you are going to cause a lot of disruption and pain for their employers.–

Plus a big loss of income for the soldiers.

Win-win, for the governor.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:37 pm
And I brought this up before. If you mobilize National Guard, you have to feed and house them. I can just imagine the news reports if you pitch a bunch of tents on the Capital lawn. The AG has said before it was a bad idea. So I suspect this is all talk.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:38 pm
=Plus a big loss of income for the soldiers.

Win-win, for the governor.=

Is Rauner more like Mr. Burns or King Koopa in your cartoon world?

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:45 pm
Many younger soldiers are also full time college students. So you are going to pull them out of college for this? Talk about reenlistments dropping off to zero. And then where will we be when there is a real emergency like a flood or the New Madrid fault decides to act up.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:47 pm
He’ll never be able to replace highly skilled workers in occupations that impact public health and safety. AFSCME will show him, just like PATCO showed Reagan.

Comment by weltschmerz Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:51 pm
=a real emergency like a flood =

State workers walking off the job isn’t a real emergency? Who cares about the needy who depend on state services I suppose.

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:51 pm
The pictures of uniformed Guardsmen working in state buildings isn’t the type of images that make good commercials for a sitting governor.

The reality is that Rauner is more willing to have occupying forces to take over state agencies that either work with AFSCME or get a budget passed for the state.

Whew. How are Raunerites going to applaud the occupation of civilian state government? This occupying force will have a chain of command outside the agency hierarchies. That’s real. That’s how the military works.

Also, Raunerites, you will be supporting a governor that is allowing military intervention in a contractual dispute, in hopes that by being Commander in Chief, this governor will then dictate terms of surrender, or have this state rules by military control.

This isn’t window dressing or a “threat” being realized. This is a disregard by Rauner to work for a civilized result, because the alternative is the armed forces taking over civilian work, not unlike a 3rd World country that has a military workforce “distributing” food as s normal procedure to keep order. “What?” …

“Department of Aging, Corporel Mike Smith… ”

Words fail me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:53 pm
==Who cares about the needy who depend on state services==

Apparently not Rauner, if you’ve been keeping track of cuts he’s made at all and the social services that have crumbled since he took over.

Comment by HangingOn Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 12:56 pm
Everyone here keeps assuming all the blame will fall on Rauner. Talk to some people not on this blog…

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:02 pm
Typically, activation of the Guard for something like a natural disaster includes the promise of the feds paying 75% of the cost. That would not be the case in this instance because this would not qualify for a federal disaster declaration. And the Guard is not a cheap state asset to deploy.
As mentioned earlier by some, activating citizen soldiers is a major disruption in their lives and in the lives of their families and should be used judiciously. And for what, pawns in a political war on unions?
Trying hard to come up with a worse idea for this situation but so far have failed.

Comment by Decaff Coffee Party Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:02 pm
===Everyone here keeps assuming all the blame will fall on Rauner. Talk to some people not on this blog===

Only a governor can call in the National Guard.

Voters will be reminded of that. Daily.

So… What was your point?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:05 pm
Why is it that these wealthy business people have such strong military fantasies? Not being funny. Trump with his sending in troops to Chicago. Rauner with his Guard. Seriously

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:14 pm
=Voters will be reminded of that. Daily.=

Maybe here in the comment section. Team Rauner has planned for this since before day 1. I’m sure they have their PR loaded and ready to fire with “37.5 hours” and “platinum health.”

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:25 pm
absolutely hilarious!! and do these national guard people work at other jobs? Yes! who will fill their places? well-thought through there bruce! most national guard folks won’t have a clue how to come in and just take over and everything works perfectly. now I’m not bashing the national guard folks, God bless them, they are caught in the middle of rauner’s insane plans.

Comment by not buying today Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:40 pm
Honeybear - I’m thinking the size of their hands might have something to do with their military fantasies. Just a guess, though.

Comment by Triple fat Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:41 pm
Folks in East St Louis don’t care about 37.5 or platinum health.

State workers are rightly the pillars of these communities. If I had a penny someone said ” oh you work at the Aid Office? I bet you know so and so. She stays near my cousin. He go s to my church, I was over there just last week. ” Your obscene need to have state workers be low grade people is repulsive. I am proud of serving the good people of my community.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:43 pm
oh and another thing, from the picture I saw of Austin berg on the Ill. Policy institute’s website, is he even old enough to drive? I doubt he’s taken seriously by mature adults.

Comment by not buying today Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:43 pm
- Robert the 1st -

So you think, and think people will think, occupying military forces controlling covilian work is going to be spun “well”

You think that coverage of this will not include the “truth” that only a governor can have forces mobilized and Rauner chose to occupy his own state agencies?

LOL!!!

If it’s so great, why isn’t it done “all the time”?

You think this will be a PR win?

Are you “ck”?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:46 pm
Everyone assumes the NG will assume their posts in the event of a strike wearing camos, helmet and bristling with firearms. A young person in military khakis wearing a smile might be a pleasant change at the DMW.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:49 pm
I don’t think it will be “spun well.” It will be a disaster. But if I’m trying to get state services at a delayed rate, am I more upset with the governor who authorized the NG to try and keep things running, or the people chanting and marching in front of the building?

Comment by Robert the 1st Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 1:56 pm
===It will be a disaster. But if I’m trying to get state services at a delayed rate, am I more upset with the governor who authorized the NG to try and keep things running, or the people chanting and marching in front of the building?===

“It will be a disaster.”

“But if I’m trying to get state services at a delayed rate, am I more upset with the governor who authorized the NG to try and keep things running, or the people chanting and marching in front of the building?”

How can it be a disaster AND be a better choice?

Can’t be both.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 2:02 pm
Robert
Folks know who closed the shelter
Folks know who closed the food pantry
Folks know who closed the rehab center
Folks know who closed their college dream

They already know who put the workers out

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 2:03 pm
You can’t have something “worse” than a disaster.

What a “super disaster”, “ultimate disaster”…

If it’s a disaster, there is no “but” to disaster.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 2:03 pm
Funny Triple Fat! You may have a point but I think it has to do with many wealthy people never having served.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 2:20 pm
I think there are approximately 100 union doctors working at the state mental health and developmental disability hospitals. I’m wondering how many in the national guard can write prescriptions for the severely mentally ill.

Comment by Anon1234 Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 2:27 pm
The National Guard will be paid by the state. How is that going to help?

Comment by Highspeed Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 2:39 pm
“Bingo Nickname. I myself know several Guard officers and NCO’s. Same folks tend to be union leaders. I was Navy. Think hard Rauner. You can’t un-see rifles at State offices.”

@Honeybear: picture this scenario: an AMSCME member walks off the job Monday morning. His Guard unit gets activated. He finds himself right back at his work station Monday afternoon, except now he’s in a Guard uniform.

What are the rights of state workers in this situation?

Honeybear and anyone else with access to the AFSCME contract: turn to page 83.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 3:00 pm
The thing that continues to baffle me with regard to AFSCME’s messaging is why do they never mention the unrestricted privatization included in Rauner’s last/best/final? This would make sense to the private sector as much as or more than the pay & insurance issues.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 3:10 pm
== The thing that continues to baffle me with regard to AFSCME’s messaging is why do they never mention the unrestricted privatization included in Rauner’s last/best/final? ==

AFSCME should be beating the drum every day about how that outsourcing clause would take the state right back to crony capitalism and trading contracts for bribes.

I just don’t understand why AFSCME is so poor at the messaging game. They’ve let Rauner push his version for almost 2 years; at this point that version IS the truth in the minds of the public.

You don’t win hearts and minds after the fact … you have to win them before the battle.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 3:23 pm
Nick Name, orders from his or her command would be put first and foremost, I believe.

And Cubs, I’m beating my head against the wall trying to figure out why this isn’t being discussed more. I know others on here have said it, but subcontracting language as it stands now is THE ballgame.

Comment by Fixer Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Fixer, maybe, but my guess is if it comes to that, both sides will have to argue it before a judge. This situation sinks the needle on the bizarre-o-tron.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 4:05 pm
RNUG Cubs and fixer. I get it. I wish council would do things differently as well. But I’m just a sailor. I do my bit to humanize my coworkers and the good folks we serve. But like every sailor the decisions of officers seem capricious and foreign. I get it now. When I was an officer I didn’t. But you know…growth. It is ironic that people think I’m plugged into leadership. Nope, I get myself in front every now and then notice never been taken seriously. But there again the regular folk never are. Even when I won the horseshoe. But what I have come to realize is that I’ve just got to shelter and fight in place. That’s all we can do. It’s unions are like a gym membership. If you don’t go and participate, nothing is going to change. Planet Fitness isn’t responsible for my laziness regardless of whether they encourage me or not.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 4:07 pm
I am a retired state bank examiner. There is absolutely no way, anyone can do the job without proper training. It takes up to five years of OJT to get to the level where one can lead an examination. No disrespect to the Guard, but if they are not already examiners, they will not be able to do the job.

Comment by blue collar Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 4:17 pm
This strike would be a disaster for AFSCME. Littel to no real strike fund, employees within months of retirement saying “I’d be with you, but…” and the very real prospect of see just how necessary every one of those positions really is in state government should give everyone pause. I can see how it would be attractive at a time when benefits could be slashed, but is the pain really going to be worth it? What would be considered a “win”? Is whatever that “win” is something, given the last two years, you really see Rauner doing? I think a strike give Rauner even more campaign fodder and plays right into his “shake up Illinois” message.

Comment by LessAnon? Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 4:37 pm
There are some interesting speculations about the Guard here that have “civilian” written all over them . . . .

“khakis” are out, standard duty uniform is camo BDU

AFSCME members in the Guard will cross picket because they’ll be soldiers on active military duty following lawful orders that trump (intended) any union card

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 4:44 pm
NICE! How much money does the state have to pay mobilized NG soldiers? Has it been appropriated? More than they have now needed to maturely return to the bargaining table?
If he asks they be federalized, then Trump will be in charge, not Bruce.

Comment by Union Man Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 4:54 pm
National Guard strikebreakers, eh?

It makes complete sense why Rauner wanted to be on stage for the Pullman historic site ceremony, he thought they were honoring George.

Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 4:58 pm
If government workers go on strike, will anyone notice? Governor Rauner, impose the terms of the contract and move on.

Comment by Common sense Thursday, Jan 26, 17 @ 10:07 pm