Lawyers for Rauner, union make case on contract dispute

Source: Chicago Tribune

By Monique Garcia

Lawyers for Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and the largest state employee union went head to head over the status of contract talks Monday, as the administration sought to convince a hearing officer that discussions have reached a dead end while the workers' group countered that the stalemate was by design to undermine organized labor.

The debate before an administrative law judge for the Illinois Labor Relations Board was the first exchange in what could be a weekslong hearing on whether negotiations should end on a new contract for nearly 38,000 state employees. At issue is Rauner's contention that the two sides have reached "impasse," a technical stage in negotiations that could put the union in the position of having to either accept Rauner's terms or strike.

The contract setting rules regarding everything from salary to subcontractors expired in July, but an agreement has remained elusive during nearly a year of negotiations. The two sides have agreed not to strike or have a lockout while talks are ongoing or the labor board is reviewing the matter.

Attorney Tom Bradley, who is representing the Rauner administration, called the difference between the parties "enormous." With major hang-ups centering on raises, health insurance costs and the state's ability to outsource work, Bradley put a $3.3 billion price tag on the gulf.

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