With the governor refusing to bend to a set of unrealistic contract demands, including perks such as annual raises during a state budget crisis and policies that allow 10 unauthorized absences with no consequences, stalled negotiations with Illinois’ largest state employee union have reached a partial impasse, an administrative law judge said.
The last contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 expired at the end of June 2015. Since then, the union and the more than 35,000 employees it represents have continued to work under agreements that say they’ll bargain with Gov. Bruce Rauner in good faith until they agree to a contract or reach an impasse.
In January, Rauner asked the Illinois Labor Relations Board to declare an impasse that would allow him to implement his last offer to the union, including a four-year wage freeze. The issue was considered by Administrative Law Judge Sarah Kerley. On Sept. 2, she concluded the two parties are at an impasse on issues that include mandatory overtime and vacation, holiday scheduling and leaves of absence, but should return to the bargaining table on the provisions of wages and health insurance. The issue will be taken up next by the board.
Rauner has estimated that the union’s demands for wage increases would cost the state an additional $3 billion at a time when state lawmakers haven’t been able to balance the budget. Based on the state’s financial situation, the union is making unfair demands, Jason Kasiar, the Republican candidate for state House in District 118, told Southwest Illinois News.
“In saying that, I will say that I don’t blame them for asking for what they’ve asked for," Kasiar said. "Our career politicians have continued to promise things that are unrealistic, so why would they not ask for that?”
Kasiar said not all union workers represented by AFSCME Council 31 feel strongly about holding out for higher wages. Some he’s spoken to have said they would accept a pay freeze or a minimum raise in exchange for keeping their health insurance rates.
“I respect Gov. Rauner for taking a stand,” Kasiar said, adding that he’d like to see both sides make additional efforts to reach an agreement. “I think (Rauner) can come to the table with a little bit more. I think AFSCME can come to the table with a little bit less.”
He also said the union shouldn’t have to shoulder the full weight of the state’s budget crisis. Instead, legislators should find more ways to cut unnecessary spending. He said he blames incumbent legislators who have made promises to unions without figuring out how to pay for it.
“We’re all adults," Kasiar said. "We need to act like it. It’s going to take a bipartisan effort to do that.”
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