Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner once again faced union criticism Monday for allegedly endorsing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.
SEIU Healthcare Illinois is among a handful of state unions currently in a bitter labor dispute with Rauner. It is also another union that has opposed Trump for his stance on immigration and workplace rights. SEIU Healthcare Illinois President Keith Kelleher is now condemning Rauner for what he claims is an endorsement of Trump.
“Bruce Rauner must renounce the Donald Trump movement of hatred against people of color, against people of different faiths and against our immigrant sisters and brothers,” Kelleher declared in the statement. “Trump’s campaign has been marked by racism, incitements to violence, misogyny, mockery of people with disabilities and a mean-spiritedness that has no place whatsoever in the public realm.”
Rauner, however, never explicitly endorsed Trump, but said he would support the Republican nominee. He added he will try to work with whomever is picked, according to the Chicago Tribune. He would not go into any further detail, saying instead he respects what voters decide.
“What Rauner is doing to Illinois is what Trump would do to America,” Kelleher added. “A Trump-Rauner partnership would be a total disaster. Rauner’s policies have fallen hardest on women and people of color, so it is doubly troubling to see him vow support for someone who promotes such despicable bias and scorn.”
While Trump has held a lead throughout the primaries, he has not been selected as the Republican nominee. SEIU Healthcare Illinois did not comment when called by The Daily Caller News Foundation.
State unions have attacked Rauner on numerous occasions over efforts to overhaul state labor policies. The two sides have been tasked with negotiating a new labor contract for state workers, but critical disagreements have turned into a heated dispute. Rauner has claimed on numerous occasions that limiting public sector union power will help the state economy by reducing spending.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) has remained one of Rauner’s biggest opponents, even as most state unions managed to eventually reach compromises regarding union contracts with the governor. A memo sent by the governor’s office in July detailed that AFSCME is demanding an 11.5 to 29 percent pay increase for state employees, a 37.5 hour work week and five weeks vacation.
National unions have been vocal opponents of Trump throughout the election. The AFL-CIO declared him its loser of the week Feb. 22 over a labor dispute his Las Vegas hotel is having, and again Feb. 29 for saying he likes right-to-work, which outlaws mandatory union dues or fees as a condition of employment. The union is also planning to mobilize members and supporters on the grassroots level to speak out against the Republican presidential candidate.
International Association of Machinists President Tom Buffenbarger stated Dec. 10 that Trump’s campaign is based in fear mongering and racism. The Service Employees International Union has condemned him on numerous occasions, even calling his rhetoric extremist.
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