General Assembly approves union-backed strike/lockout bill
Source: Herald Review
KURT ERICKSON
SPRINGFIELD Big Labor's latest answer to Gov. Bruce Rauner's tough talk about unions breezed through the Illinois Senate Saturday.
Under legislation approved on a partisan 38-17 vote, state workers would be prohibited from going on strike or being locked out of their jobs if negotiations on a new contract reach an impasse.
The proposal would allow either side in labor talks to declare an impasse, starting a process in which the contract would be sent to binding arbitration.
Democrats who backed the measure said the proposed law comes in response to the Republican governor's public stance on ongoing talks with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://herald-review.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/general-assembly-approves-union-backed-strike-lockout-bill/article_256604c8-1f9b-5ee6-b5c0-d30d0268fcbd.html
murielm99
(30,761 posts)He will veto the bill. He will try everything he can to lock these workers out. This man is a menace to my state.
justhanginon
(3,290 posts)anti everything helpful for working people was able to purchase the governorship. it's going to be along 4 years for the citizens of my state. this POS reeks of ill gotten privilege and I hope for our sake his administrations goals always end up as dismal failures.
angrychair
(8,733 posts)They have lost the ability to strike. if this is a "victory" its a bitter one. As a AFSCME member and shop steward, ultimately any actions you take are toothless if you don't have the ability to strike. Now their fate is left to arbitration, a system that often tilts to the favor of those that write the laws, meaning the legislatures and governors.
This is further signs of weakness in our resolve as a union. At the end of the day, its workers, our brothers and sisters, that will suffer.
cstanleytech
(26,319 posts)Assuming the arbitrator isnt biased it could be a good thing.
angrychair
(8,733 posts)This is the "last page of the manual" in options for the union In IL is what this means. They have no way to, based on the strengh of their numbers and unity, to influence the legislature to support state workers rights. Who cares if they can't be locked out...they can't strike anyway.
Going to arbitration is not a really a good thing. It basically leaves a lot to chance. Laws and how that process works are heavily influenced by state legislatures and governors, as they are the people that can write or change them at will. Unions cannot. Since there is no appealing the ruling, they will be stuck with what they get, for good or bad.
At the end of the day, its better than nothing, laws can be changed. People can change. Unions can get stronger.
Its just a sad state of affairs for unions in this country and another example of the ever-growing power of the wealthy.
cstanleytech
(26,319 posts)and eventually being abolished which is what the governor wants.
Atleast this way if they get a fair arbitrator the workers might not get fucked over.
silvershadow
(10,336 posts)during my lifetime, God help us all.