Wage Increase Update and Contact Information Request

We have had many phone calls across all of our bargaining units regarding wage increases. At this point, we have still not been informed of anything officially from CMS or from any of the Agencies. As soon as we hear something official we will be sure to put it out here and over email.

If you are not receiving our emails and you have an email address, please contact our office at your earliest convenience, or email us at isealaborerslocal2002@gmail.com and let us know that you need to be added to the email list. If you have recently moved, we may not have your current mailing address on file. With negotiations on the horizon, it is very important that we have your current mailing address. Please email or call the office and make sure we have your current mailing address.

Wage Increase Update

Here is an update on the current and ongoing situation with regards to the budget and wage increases. We are aware of the budget changes and we have unofficially been told that there is no current plan to implement the wage increases. We are still  moving forward on all fronts. We were recently notified by the Illinois Labor Relations Board that they are pursuing a hearing for our Unfair Labor practice filed back in July. Our lawsuit is still pending as is our grievance.

We are not giving up the fight! This battle is far from over and we will continue to fight until this situation is resolved!

Wage Increase Demonstration

We are trying to put together a group of people to participate in a demonstration at the Capitol on Wednesday at 12:00pm. This demonstration is to unite with other Unions to challenge the Governor and the State in their continued violation of collective bargaining agreements by not honoring pay increases, as well as to demonstrate against a change in the collective bargaining bill and to challenge any possible changes to the pension system.

If you are interested and available please let us know ASAP by calling our office and asking for Michele, Ron, or Kendra. We would like to get a group together to meet over there.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO SO MANY OF OUR MEMBERS SO EVEN IF YOU WERE NOT AFFECTED BY THE WAGE INCREASE FREEZE, PLEASE COME OUT TO SUPPORT YOUR UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THIS FIGHT!!!!

Sincerely,

ISEA Staff

FACILITY CLOSURES

Facility Closures Update

As you are aware, the Governor recently announced facility closures around the State of Illinois. The two facility closures that affect our bargaining units are the closing of IYC Murphysboro and Logan Correctional Center. We are working hard to fight these closures and will continue to fight. There was a recent arbitration ruling for AFSCME bargaining unit member that prohibit the closure of those facilities due to additional concessionary language in an AFSCME agreement whereby the State agreed not to close any facilities or lay off any AFSCME employees.While that arbitration does not directly apply to our bargaining unit members, it certainly would affect them. We will continue to keep you updated on any developments.

There is going to be a public march against the closing of Logan Correctional Center on Thursday, October 13th which will begin at 4 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce.

Wage Increase Battle

We are still fighting the State regarding wage increases as well. Our lawsuit is still pending against the State, as is our Unfair Labor Practice and our grievance. If there are any new developments we will be sure to report it here. Keep a look out for updates.

Updates

WAGE INCREASES UPDATE:

We have received many calls from our members asking the status of our fight against the Governor's wage increase halt issue on July 1, 2011. We have taken up the fight in a few different ways.

1. Federal Lawsuit: As of today, the federal lawsuit that we filed against the Governor and the State actions against our bargaining units is STILL PENDING. While we have been informed that other lawsuits may have been dismissed, ours has not. If it does get dismissed we have already discussed appealing the Judge's ruling.

2. Unfair Labor Practice: We have a pending ULP at the Illinois Labor Relations Board that is currenty being investigated by the Board. We intend to continue to pursue that as far as we can take it.

3. Grievance: We still have our grievance pending at the 4th level and have had discussions with CMS regarding the wage increases being reinstated. We expect that it will eventually be denied at which time we will likely pursue arbitration. If we win the arbitration and the State refuses to abide by the Arbitrator's decisions, we can file a State action to enforce the arbitration decision. But for now, it is pending at the 4th level.

We intend to continue the fight on all fronts!


INFORMATION UPDATE:

If you are not receiving our meeting notices or other mail please contact our office to ensure that we have your correct address on file. If you are a member, this is very important. Contract negotiations will be taking place within the next 6 months and we will be sending out the ratification vote through the mail as we did last time. Be sure you have updated all of your information. Most of the informatino we disseminate goes out through email. So if you are not receiving emails from us, please be sure to update with our office as well. Be sure to add isealaborerslocal2002@gmail.com to your contacts so our emails do not end up in your spam folder.


Be sure to check back for more information and be sure to "like" us on Facebook.

Arbitrator Rules: “As A Matter Of Contract; The State Has No Choice.”

This morning an independent arbitrator ruled that the Quinn Administration is in violation of AFSCME’s contract.  Arbitrator Edwin Benn has ordered the state to pay the 2% wage increase that was due July 1st along with any step increases to which employees are entitled.  It is possible that the state could appeal the arbitrator’s decision but AFSCME is prepared to defend it in court.

ISEA, Laborers’ Local 2002 have filed a similar grievance directly to the 4th level and this decision will directly impact the outcome of our pending grievance.  This ruling is a ‘win’ for collective bargaining and further clarifies our arguement that Governor Quinn cannot break a contract at will. 

Connect With Us
http://www.facebook.com/local2002 <-- 'Like' Us On Facebook
http://isealaborerslocal2002.blogspot.com <--Follow Us On Blogger

As always, we will continue to update the membership as more information becomes available. 

Sincerely,
ISEA, Laborers’ Local 2002 Staff

Pending Federal Lawsuit

Federal Lawsuit Pending

After farther discussion we have decided to file a federal law suit to enforce the contract and reverse the Governor’s decision to withhold contractual increases.  As many of you are aware, the Governor initiated a pay freeze last Friday that sought to withhold contractual increases for many of our members.  We’ve taken administrative actions, including the Unfair Labor Practice, grievances and letters demanding discussions on unilateral changes to the contract.  After discussions with other affected unions, we have determined that the next appropriate step would be court action. We will be filing a suit in Federal Court on or about Monday of next week. 

Defend Your Union Contract

On Tuesday July 12, 2011, ISEA, Laborers’ Local 2002 members are invited to join the informational picket lines to protest the Governor’s unwarranted actions against collective bargaining members.  More information will follow on Monday.  

Connect With Us

http://www.facebook.com/local2002 ß ‘Like’ Us On Facebook

http://isealaborerslocal2002.blogspot.com ß Follow Us On Blogger

As always, we will continue to update the membership as more information becomes available. 

Sincerely,

ISEA, Laborers’ Local 2002 Staff

Contract Raises Update

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As many of you are aware, we were notified late last week of Governor Quinn’s intentions to not fulfill his end of our collective bargaining contract by refusing to pay Cost Of Living and Step Increases to many of our members.  Since this announcement, we have been working diligently to gather more information and taking crucial first steps to uphold the contract and restore its integrity.  We have sent a certified letter to Acting Director Weems at CMS, demanding a meeting with our staff to discuss the arbitrary changes being made to the contract. A grievance was served directly to the 4^th level in hopes of expediting the arbitration process.  Additionally, we have filed an Unfair Labor Practice Claim with the Illinois Labor Relations Board.  We have not ruled out taking legal action and are exploring this option in response to this blatant violation of the union contract.  We will continue to update the membership as more information becomes available.    

Sincerely,

ISEA, Laborers’ Local 2002 Staff

SJ-R: "Quinn Cancelling $75 Million In State Employee Pay Raises."

At approximately noon today (7/1/2011), ISEA, Laborers’ Local 2002 office was notified via facsimile that CMS is prohibiting the implementation of Fiscal Year 2012 cost of living adjustments, longevity enhancements and step increases due to the lack of personal services appropriations by the General Assembly in the following agencies, boards, authorities and/or commissions which include about 30,000 state employees:

·         Department of Corrections

·         Human Rights

·         Human Services

·         Juvenile Justice

·         Labor

·         Natural Resources

·         Public Health

·         Revenue

·         Criminal Justice Information Commission

·         Historic Preservation Agency

·         Human Rights Commission

·         Prisoner Review Board

·         Deaf & Hard of Hearing Commission

·         Guardianship & Advocacy Commission

This e-mail is intended to let our membership know that we are aware of the situation and that we are discussing the options available to us.  We will continue to keep our membership updated as more information becomes available. This is just another assault on bargaining unit employees and we remain committed to fighting for our members’ rights.

Sincerely,

ISEA, Laborers’ Local 2002 Board & Staff

Collective Bargaining Legislation

Governor Quinn is asking Illinois State Senate to convene in a special session to pass Amendment 2 to Senate Bill 1556, which would eliminate or restrict the collective bargaining rights of current and some former merit comp employees.  We are asking that all our members remain vigilant and continue to contact their State Senator and tell them to vote ‘NO’ on any legislation that would attempt to limit or restrict an employee’s right to union representation. 

Health Insurance Update

Dear Members,

 

 Our staff attorney participated in a phone conference with CMS and other Unions this afternoon and here is the current update. It looks as though the State will be entering into emergency contracts with health insurance vendors such as Health Link, Health Alliance, and other groups. However, nothing is official at this time.

 

 What we know is that if you have already opted for a change, such as Health Link, and that vendor does become available, you do not need to submit a new form. However, if you want to make a change you will have to fill out a form for a vendor. For example, if you opted for Health Link but prefer Health Alliance and Health Alliance does become available, you will need to fill out a form for Health Alliance. To be sure of your change you should attach a copy of the form you have already submitted and mark through it with an "X" and attach it to the new form so that they know you had already made a change and now you are making another change.

 

 Despite what you hear or read, the Unions have been told that EMPLOYEES MUST MAKE THEIR DESIGNATION BY FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011. You may mail in you form (postmarked by June 17, 2011), fax it, or scan and email it. You cannot only email a response. You must email the form back to them as they require an actual signature on file. But if you do scan the form into your computer and email the form, then you have made your choice.

 

 They expect to have something posted on the Benefits Choice website by 4 p.m. today. We recommend that you watch your email, our website, and our facebook page for further updates and check the benefits choice website which is where the choices and forms will be available to you.

 

Sincerely,

 

ISEA Staff

CALL TO ACTION - COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LEGISLATION!

Representatives of Local 2002 as well as AFSCME and other members of the AFL-CIO are currently at the Capitol where Legislators will today (5-31-11), be introducing a Bill which will seek to restrict collective bargaining membership of former merit comp employees with the State of Illinois. Unfortunately, the actual Bill and wording have not yet been introduced and cannot be referenced by specific Bill number or otherwise reviewed to ensure any employees’ collective bargaining rights are going to be protected.

Discussions which have occurred over the past few weeks had led us to believe limitations would be placed in any legislation which would assure current collective bargaining unit members would be protected and able to maintain their collective bargaining rights. Such assurances may now be in jeopardy. Talks have stalled and the Governors office, House and Senate leadership all seem to be hardening their positions. Additionally, time has run short and we can now no longer wait and trust Legislative leaders will present a Bill which adequately addresses the Union’s concerns.

Therefore, all members are asked to call your Representatives and Senators and tell them not to support any legislation which will limit collective bargaining rights of any employees.

*****If you do not know who your local representatives are please go HERE and input your address. It will then take you to a list of all of your local Representatives and State senator. You can select each one of your Representatives to get their contact information. Call them at both their District Office and their Springfield Office. You can also click on their websites and contact them via email on their web pages.*****

ISEA, Laborers' Local 2002 Staff

URGENT CALL TO ACTIO- PENSION LEGISLATION FILED

DEAR MEMBERS,

LATE YESTERDAY THE PENSION BILL WAS FILED UNDER SENATE BILL 512, AMENDMENT 1. THIS MORNING IT WAS EASILY PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE.

You can view the amendments here.  Please get the word out to your legislators in your area to VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL!!!!


*****If you do not know who your local representatives are please go to this link and input your address. It will then take you to a list of all of your local representatives and State senator. You can select each one of your representatives to get their contact information. Call them at both their District Office and their Springfield Office. You can also click on their websites and contact them via email on their web pages.*******

FIND YOUR LEGISLATOR

Sincerely,

ISEA, Laborers' Local 2002 Staff

We Are One

You may have recently noticed the advertisements on television regarding an effort by many Unions together to increase public awareness of the State of Illinois employees' battle with the State over pensions. We want you to know that we are dedicated to fighting for your pensions, as well as all of your rights as State employees. From its inception, the Laborers' have been at the forefront of the fight and we have been working closely with other unions that represent State employees to fight for your pensions. Our staff, including Business Manager Mike Stout and Secretary-Treasurer/Staff Attorney Kendra Doellman-Best, have been in discussions with the Laborers' Midwest Regional office regarding the activities and efforts of We Are One. Mike and Kendra have been working closely with the Laborers' lobbyists who have been responsible for stopping previously attempted legislation that could have affected your bargaining rights. Now, Mike and Kendra are working with the lobbyists to fight for your pensions.

Watch for more to come!

Welcome

Welcome to the ISEA, Laborers' Local 2002 blog. We intend to use this blog for discussions on various topics and current events that are important to our organization and its members. You will find that we have added links to our State collective bargaining agreements as well as helpful links to CMS pages, such as Personnel Rules, Code, Pay Plan and even a link to the current year's State holiday list. We will use both facebook and this blog to announce upcoming membership meetings, negotiations, and the like. We hope you will find this a useful tool for staying up to date on all of our efforts and work on your behalf.