Rauner bypasses union leadership, wants AFSCME members to force vote on contract proposals

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Metro East Son

by John Breslin

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration has reached out directly to members of the state’s largest union to try to persuade them to lobby for an up-and-down vote on proposals for a new contract.

The governor’s main negotiator in talks with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has written to all its members, urging them to accept proposals put forward by the administration.

AFSCME and the governor's office have been locked in negotiations over a new contract for a year until talks broke down last month.

On Jan. 15, after weeks of what the administration said was no meaningful progress at the bargaining table, Rauner asked the Illinois Labor Relations Board (LRB) to determine whether the two sides are at an impasse.

FULL story at link.


Gov. Bruce Rauner

Read more: http://metroeastsun.com/stories/510697505-rauner-bypasses-union-leadership-wants-afscme-members-to-force-vote-on-contract-proposals

[Capt.Rocky300]

1. Union Busting 101.

[Arazi]

2. Oh I hope that backfires

BIG time

[James48]

3. Isn't that illegal?

In the federal sector, that would be considered "bypass" and an unfair labor practice. Isn't that illegal?

[cstanleytech]

4. Might be a grey area assuming I am reading it correctly but to be breaking the law

he would have to be trying to cut a deal with the employees without the union being involved at all.
Mind you I somehow doubt hes doing this with the best interest of the workers in mind.

[Omaha Steve]

6. State, county, & municipal workers are covered by state, not federal law

Some states won't even let these workers unionize. It varies from state to state.

OS

[cstanleytech]

7. Well there you go :)

[James48]

8. Scum.

"..he would have to be trying to cut a deal with the employees without the union being involved at all. "


Exactly- and that would be illegal in the federal sector. Once a labor union is named the "authorized representative of the employees", it becomes illegal to negotiate directly with employees who are not the representatives of those employees.

[cstanleytech]

9. But is simply asking them to vote on something negotiating? I am not so sure thus the grey area.

[truebrit71]

5. Ruck Fauner.

Twice.

Sideways.