A top ally of Gov. Bruce Rauner warned members of the largest state employee union to be "careful" about "crossing" the Republican governor by going on strike, suggesting that individual jobs are more important than the group’s political standing in Springfield.
The comments by House Republican leader Jim Durkin come as members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 are voting on whether to authorize a walkout amid a prolonged contract battle with Rauner.
"They are dealing with a person who’s a very determined individual, and he’s a tough person. And he drives a bargain," Durkin said during a Friday taping of WLS-AM 890’s "Connected to Chicago" that airs at 7 p.m. Sunday.
"But the fact is, if you cross him, I think you have to be careful. That’s a situation, if you do that, you’re crossing a governor who’s, I think he’s going to do what he thinks is best at the end of the day, which is not going to be in the best interests of AFSCME members and their families and loved ones," Durkin said.
Rauner’s office issued a memo last week laying out potential consequences should workers decide to walk off the job, noting they would go without pay and health insurance subsidies. Their pensions also would not grow during that time, and replacement workers used during a strike could be hired permanently.
Durkin said Rauner "would have no problem replacing those men and women on the job."
"And I think it’s a very, very risky proposition for them to take," Durkin said. "I know their leadership is going to do what they’re going to do, but their rank-and-file members need to realize that their jobs are important, we support them."
Illinois’ biggest state worker union schedules strike-authorization vote Kim Geiger
Illinois’ largest public employee union moved one step closer to a confrontation with Gov. Bruce Rauner, scheduling votes that could authorize a state worker strike if the union and the Republican governor are unable to reach a deal on new contract terms.
The American Federation of State, County…
Illinois’ largest public employee union moved one step closer to a confrontation with Gov. Bruce Rauner, scheduling votes that could authorize a state worker strike if the union and the Republican governor are unable to reach a deal on new contract terms.
The American Federation of State, County…
(Kim Geiger)
Union spokesman Anders Lindall said Durkin should be "ashamed of himself," accusing him of parroting Rauner talking points and "threatening the public service workers who serve our state."
"It’s disturbing and revealing that Durkin believes Bruce Rauner will not act ‘in the best interests of AFSCME members and their families and loved ones,’" Lindall said in a statement. "After all, AFSCME members are public service workers who protect kids, respond to emergencies, care for veterans and more. They want to serve their communities, not be forced out on strike, but Bruce Rauner’s refusal to negotiate has left no choice but to consider a strike as a last resort."
Even if the majority of union members vote in favor of a strike, it does not mean a work stoppage would occur. The union’s collective bargaining committee is seeking the authority to call a strike as it tries to pressure the Rauner administration back to the bargaining table. Voting ends midmonth.
Rauner fights with union over $1,000 bonuses Chicago Tribune staff
Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what’s going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield.
Topspin
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration promised $1,000 bonuses to most state workers after a state labor panel declared negotiations…
Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what’s going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield.
Topspin
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration promised $1,000 bonuses to most state workers after a state labor panel declared negotiations…
(Chicago Tribune staff)
The strike vote follows a ruling last year by the Illinois Labor Relations Board, which sided with Rauner by declaring the two sides had reached impasse — a technical stage in negotiations in which the administration can try to impose its own contract terms on workers. Rauner’s office began to put in place some of those terms, but AFSCME sued to temporarily halt those moves.
It’s a particularly fraught time for state employees. In addition to a possible strike, they also stand to lose out on pay after Attorney General Lisa Madigan went to court last month to lift an order that has kept paychecks flowing to workers even though Illinois has no spending plan in place.
Rauner has criticized that move, and House Democrats plan to push legislation this week that would keep paychecks flowing if the order is lifted. Republicans are pushing an alternative plan that would reclassify salaries to ensure money goes out the door automatically regardless of whether a budget is in place. A hearing on the case is set for Feb. 16.
mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com
jebyrne@chicagotribue.com
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