AFSCME holds rally in Chester
<span>CHESTER -- Members and supporters of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) held a rally in Chester on Thursday, less than three weeks away from the union's expiration date in its contract with the state.</span>
<span>The rally contained a mixture of Illinois Department of Corrections and Chester Mental Health Center employees, as well as retired members of both agencies. Roughly 75 people participated throughout the day.</span>
<span>In advance of the deadline, the union reportedly planned more than 100 public events statewide this week, hoping to bring awareness about the services provided by state employees.</span>
<span>"This was about bring our members out to let the members of our committees and our union know that we're out there working for them," said Ty Peterson, spokesman for AFSCME Council 31. "And also to advise the communities that we are citizens of this community and we spend money here and help things run and operate as they do."</span>
<span>According to a May AFSCME Council 31 bargaining bulletin, Gov. Bruce Rauner is seeking deep cuts to health insurance benefits that the union stated could drive up employee costs by more than 500 percent.</span>
<span>"Governor Rauner has made clear he doesn't respect state employees or understand the importance of the public services we provide," the bulletin said. "He claims our salaries are too high and our benefits too generous - when in reality, our compensation is in line with comparable states and with our skills and education.</span>
<span>"Meanwhile, he's handing out massive pay hikes to his top advisors."</span>
<span>The bulletin said Rauner's demands include "freezing all salaries for the length of the contract; eliminating step increases; taking back longevity pay and reducing vacation and holiday time."</span>
<span>"We're out here looking for a fair contract," Peterson said. "You hear the governor, who says he's willing to negotiate a fair contract, but he has not yet signed our bill that was introduced and passed by both houses to give us the right to continue to work if our contract expires June 30."</span>
<span>Peterson was referring to Senate Bill 1229, which would amend the Illinois Public Relations Act to outlaw strikes by, or lockouts of, state employees.</span>
<span>"It's kinda concerning to us as union members that 'here's a bill that's on your table to sign governor' and you have not signed it," Peterson said. "It would prevent any kind of lockout, strike or anything like that in order to keep the state working as the citizens of Illinois expect it to work."</span>
<span>Instead of a strike or lockout, an arbitrator would handle the dispute through binding arbitration. Union members at the rally said SB 1229 is a big risk for AFSCME, but better than not having a contract at all.</span>
<span>"Now, we want to make sure nobody can strike," said Larry Brown, president of AFSCME Subchapter 56 in Chester and president of AFSCME Retiree Chapter 31. "So Rauner can no longer say 'I'm going to lock you all out.'</span>