Labor

Budget + Tax Criminal Justice Good Government Jobs + Growth Labor Pensions

Palatine workers have right to strike, but that doesn’t include right to continued benefits

By Mailee Smith

10/21/2017

Under Illinois law, government employees can choose to walk out on strike – but it carries risks. Striking workers give up wages and benefit contributions – and maybe even their jobs – when they walk out.

TAGS: strike, unions

Fired Cook County police officers could be back on the job due to technicality

By Brendan Bakala

10/18/2017

In a ruling that could cost taxpayers millions, a former Cook County officer who was fired for failing to disclose his criminal history will likely return to work and receive back pay.

TAGS: Cook County, Teamsters

District 15 strike leaves Palatine-area students and parents in the lurch

By Mailee Smith

10/17/2017

When contract negotiations get tough, school employee unions should not be able to strike. It only serves to punish students and their parents, and it gives unions an unfair tool at the negotiating table.

TAGS: education, labor, strike, unions

The union myth of ‘free riders’

By Mailee Smith

10/14/2017

A solution to the union’s “free rider” claim is on the table. Why doesn’t it enjoy union support?

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, free rider, Janus v. AFSCME, labor, right to work, unions

Janus v. AFSCME could mean more freedom for Illinois’ government workers

By Mailee Smith

10/09/2017

For four decades, government workers have been denied their First Amendment right to freedom of association, but that could change with a U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2018.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, fair share, Janus v. AFSCME, right to work

Languishing contract negotiations show need for labor law reforms in Illinois

By Mailee Smith

09/22/2017

Government-worker unions can negotiate for months or even years without reaching a new contract, and can use negotiations to push for even cushier perks from pricier health insurance to paid time off for birthdays.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, collective bargaining

School buses finally arrive for East Aurora students, but unfairness remains

By Mailee Smith

09/01/2017

Thousands of East Aurora students will be able to take buses to school for the first time, but the community still stands as an example of how school district decisions don’t always prioritize students.

TAGS: Aurora, education, pensions, teacher salaries

Stacked deck: Of all neighboring states, only Illinois gives strike powers to government unions

By Mailee Smith

08/31/2017

Illinois is the only state in the region that allows government workers to go on strike, effectively depriving residents of services they need and driving up the highest property tax bills in the nation.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, strike

After soda tax, Preckwinkle doles out premium perks and bonuses

By Chris Lentino

08/22/2017

After threatening thousands of job cuts, President Preckwinkle agrees to a lucrative contract with one of Cook County’s unions.

TAGS: Cook County, soda tax, Teamsters, Toni Preckwinkle

AFSCME stall tactics are all political – and they’re costing Illinoisans millions

By Mailee Smith

08/22/2017

Illinois’ largest government worker union is likely stalling contract negotiations in hopes of dealing with a new governor in 2019.

TAGS: AFSCME: American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Bruce Rauner, Illinois Labor Relations Board, state worker pay

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees claims to be seeking a “fair contract” on behalf of Illinois state workers. But the power and influence exerted by the state’s largest government-worker union means the bargaining table almost always tilts in AFSCME’s favor. The reality is that AFSCME is the power player in negotiations...

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Labor

AFSCME: The 800-pound gorilla at the negotiating table

Meet the man who could end forced union fees for government workers

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

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