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Illinoisans are leaving the State Photo/Pixabay/CC0
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In
a press release,
Springfield,Illinois declares the AFSCME refused to seriously
negotiate with the Rauner Administration, old news becomes new news
again. Lets just face it, the history of the AFSCME shows they have
always been a closed-single minded organization with no concern for
the taxpayers or financial crisis issues. In 2000 they
rejected and refused to negotiate with Gov. Ryan because they wanted
a six percent annually wage increase and Ryan offered a 4.3 to 4.5
percent increase annually and zero-tolerance policy on illegal drug
use for DOC workers. In 2013 Gov Quinn tried to get state
employee compensation in line with what the state can afford but
failed because the AFSCME said they would strike it they did not get
their way and taxpayers have been paying the price since.
Gov. Rauner proposal
consist of programs to help minority employees, keeping the 37.5-hour
work week with overtime rate wages happening after completing a
40-hour work week, merit bonuses, salary freeze and health care
reforms, all of which has been accepted by 17 other labors unions.
AFSCME’s leaders want four-year raises ranging from 11.5 to 29
percent, a 37.5-hour workweek with immediate overtime wages for any
minute worked over 37.5 hours, five weeks of vacation, double pay for
regular holidays, 2.5x pay for some “super holidays, do not want
merit bonuses or any programs for minority employees, and demand
insurance that is considered platinum-plus under the Affordable Care
Act with taxpayers subsidizing over 80% of the cost. Altogether,
AFSCME’s wage and insurance demands would cost taxpayers over $3
billion.
In response to AFSCME’s
refusal to seriously negotiate, and in accordance with the tolling
agreement, the Rauner Administration is now asking the Labor Board to
determine whether or not the parties are at an impasse. It is little
wonder why Illinoisans are moving out of the State as they see their
income dropping due to increased taxes and fees, while state
employees earnings have grown over five times faster. Deficits,
higher taxes and debt has hurt Illinois and the AFSCME's refusal just
might be their last refusal as more and more Illinoisans are becoming
dependent on the government, soon there will be no one to pay for
their lavish benefits.
