Illinois Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and state unions have been in a heated labor dispute for over a year, and now the conflict could comedown to two possible paths, according to a policy expert Wednesday.
Rauner and state unions has struggled to negotiate new labor contracts for public-sector workers. He has petitioned the Illinois Labor Relations Board to declare the talks are at an impasse, but Democrats in the legislature are trying to advance a bill that would effectively block Rauner out of the negotiations. Illinois Policy Institute Executive Vice President Kristina Rasmussen notes either outcome could determine how the ongoing labor dispute gets resolved.
“So he went to the Illinois Labor Relations Board and asked if we’re at an impasse,” Rasmussen told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “If they say they’re at an impasse it goes to the last best offer.”
If the Illinois labor board rules the negotiations are at an impasse it would be a huge victory for the governor. It would mean the remaining state unions will have to accept his last contract proposal or go on strike. The Democratic measure, on the other hand, would benefit the unions by blocking Rauner out of the negotiations by putting control in the hands of state mediators.
“The Illinois Labor Relations Board is going to rule within a month of two on whether they think they’re at an impasse,” Rasmussen continued. “At which point the union will have to decide whether to go on strike.”
Rauner entered office just over a year ago, promising to turn around the state economy. His proposals have involved limiting regulations and reining in union power. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has adamantly opposed the governor even as most public-sector unions eventually managed to compromise with him.
Rauner has claimed on numerous occasions that limiting public-sector union power will help the state economy by reducing spending. A memo sent by his office in July detailed that AFSCME is demanding a 11.5 to 29 percent pay increase for state employees, a 37.5 hour work week and five weeks of fully paid vacation, among other privileges.
“They introduced virtually the same bill last year,” Rasmussen also noted. “What’s likely going to happen is it will take the same course as last year.”
Democrats introduced an almost identical bill last February. It was passed by the Democratic majority in both legislative chambers in May but it was vetoed by Rauner in July. The measures would allow either side to form an arbitration panel during troubled negotiations, but in doing so the governor would be relinquishing his authority to negotiate to unelected bureaucrats.
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