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Teamsters on IDOT contract talks: ‘We are nearing the breaking-point and may be left with no other choice than to strike this winter’

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Illinois

* Shaw Local…

Teamsters, who have gone without a contract for 7 months and are angered by the course of negotiations, are preparing to vote on whether to vote to authorize a strike, said JP Fyans, president of Teamsters Local 916.

In the meantime, rallies are being organized in the state’s nine Illinois Department of Transportation districts, starting with one organized by union locals 330, 700, 916 and the union umbrella organization, Joint Council 25, that ran from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday in the District 1 office at 201 W. Center Court in Schaumburg. […]

“Mediators have been brought in, and we are following the process,” Fyans said, but “a vote to authorize a vote to strike is in the works.”

Negotiations have gotten contentious, with the state refusing to include pay raises, and insisting that the 4,500 Teamsters in 10 locals employed by IDOT switch back to the state insurance plan, which is more costly and effectively will mean a 25% loss in take-home pay, Fyans said.

* WLPO Radio…

A raw wind blew in Ottawa as members of the Teamsters union walked a picket line outside the District 3 office of the Illinois Department of Transportation.

It was the second picket outside an IDOT building on Wednesday, following a similar demonstration in the suburbs. Teamsters believe they’ve been left out of the significant investment the state is making in infrastructure improvements. […]

Fellow picketer Jon Woodyer says the state’s offer removes “good union insurance” and would cause a take home pay loss of 24 percent on average. He adds that the state’s suggestion of a starting IDOT salary of $32,000 a year is federal poverty level wages.

* WBBM Radio…

Jimmy Provenzano says the work he and other maintenance workers do is dangerous, whether it’s fixing potholes or blocking highway ramps.

“All these protests have been going on,” he said. “Our guys are put out there. In the majority of the time, there is no police backup. We’re on our own in these trucks and have to deal with irate citizens.”

Teamster Robert Cohn said the state’s proposal would move them out of their union health insurance, which include benefits they won in a prior contract in lieu of pay raises worth about $3.40 an hour.

The unions say despite plenty of bargaining sessions since their contracts expired, they are far apart from the state’s offer.

* Teamsters Joint Council 25…

“Our members have sacrificed wages and other benefits in previous negotiations to maintain their Teamster healthcare and we are not going to just walk away from it now without a fight”, said Teamsters Joint Council 25 President Thomas W. Stiede. “These workers keep the Illinois traveling public safe, and it’s unfortunate to see their value being undermined by this administration. We are nearing the breaking-point and may be left with no other choice than to strike this winter.”

* From the governor’s office…

Over the past several months, the State has reached labor agreements with unions representing the vast majority of the State workforce, which were ratified by overwhelming majorities of State employees. Those agreements recognize the important work that State employees perform, and each of them includes fair wage and healthcare provisions that provide good compensation and healthcare benefits to employees while recognizing that the State must balance its budget. Contract negotiations with the Teamsters are ongoing, and the Governor is committed to ensuring a fair agreement for everyone involved, like those that have already been reached with other unions.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 11:46 am

Comments

Alright I’ll bite, how the heck did the teamsters get into representing public sector employees?

Comment by Macon Bakin Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 12:26 pm
No better time to strike than now - pothole season - a great nuisance factor for the average driver who will “accidentally” be drawn into an otherwise
ho-hum union scuffle

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 12:48 pm
If not mistaken, union recognition was granted by Republican governor “Big Jim” Thompson, though I may be incorrect on this.

Comment by Ares Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 12:53 pm
==how the heck did the teamsters get into representing public sector employees==

Chicago has contracts with various Teamsters locals.

In Nevada a few years ago, school janitors and maintenance workers chose to disaffiliate from the state teacher union and join the Teamsters.

Different strokes.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 12:59 pm
Deeply deeply appreciate this insight from both of you! At minimum you are leading me well in the right direction thanks Ares!

Comment by Macon Bakin Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 1:10 pm
Teamsters also represent much of the professional and technical staff in IDOT HQ.

Comment by stateandlake Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 1:39 pm
Wow, the Administration sounded just like Rauner did to AFSCME when the Teamsters signed first. Management gonna be management I guess.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 2:25 pm
We stand in solidarity with you Teamsters. Hold the line and don’t give in.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 2:30 pm
So a “pro union” Governor is taking benefits away from the union of an agency he uses nonstop for positive press and to help promote himself. Sounds like JP loves the publicity and results but doesn’t want to pay fair wages for it. I don’t blame them… I’d be striking as well! Hopefully Teamsters and other unions listen more closely when giving endorsements next time around..

Comment by Jayz Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 2:45 pm
How does one honor the IDOT strike? Avoid driving on state roads?

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 3:15 pm
===Sounds like JP loves the publicity===

Just to clarify:
JP Fyans is the Teamsters president
JB Pritzker is the Governor.

Typos can make it confusing as to whom one is referring.

Comment by Name Withheld Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 3:53 pm
Please keep in mind that these jobs are considered so key to public safety that they are typically prohibited from striking unless they are left without a contract. These men and women have been working without a contract since last July. They perform some of the most dangerous work. They are at risk daily. They deserve consideration.

Comment by Downstate Sally Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 3:57 pm
The IDOT Teamsters have a very dangerous job. They should be given a fair contract.
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/idot-worker-crushed-to-death-at-kendall-county-facility/3208299/

Comment by DuPage Thursday, Feb 1, 24 @ 4:36 pm
As an IDOT employee, I would like to point out that staffing levels are critically low in many key areas that deliver the multi-billion dollar construction programs. Retirements and career moves to private industry are accelerating as overloaded workers seek better quality of life. Very few new staff members have been added in years. Without a fair contract right now, IDOT will be a skeleton crew attempting to delivery the largest funding in the history of IDOT. IDOT will crumble without a fair contract now.

Comment by Uncivil Engineer Friday, Feb 2, 24 @ 7:03 am