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. 

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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.  

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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