By Rachel Rodgers
Daily Gazette
DIXON, Ill. — The Dixon Correctional Center was one of 120 sites statewide from which union members sent Gov. Bruce Rauner a message: Return to the negotiating table.
Days after the Illinois Labor Relations Board ruled that negotiations were at an impasse between the governor and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, thousands of state employees rallied statewide Thursday during “Don’t Dictate, Negotiate” Day of Action events.
Dozens of correctional officers, mental health workers and supporters circled the intersection of Brinton Avenue and Timber Creek Road holding signs, whistles and megaphones.
Local 817 President Rick Ruthart, representing 711 members, said the governor needs to negotiate a compromise rather than dictate terms.
“He is the one who walked away from the table,” he said. “We are open to more compromise; we’re still willing to work.”
The impasse, once officially documented, would allow Rauner to bypass further negotiations and unilaterally decide the contract between the state and its largest public employees union. The contract expired in summer of 2015 and hit a deadlock in January.
Rauner’s proposed terms include a doubling of employee healthcare costs, a 4-year wage freeze, and the ability to subcontract the members’ work at any time.
The contract would also favor merit-based wage increases rather than automatically moving up a step on the wage scale, and implementing a 40-hour work week instead of 37.5 hours.
Local 172 President Tawny Proulx, representing 189 members from Jack Mabley Developmental Center, said the issue isn’t just about the unions and the governor, but all community members who rely on government services.
“This is going to affect a lot of people,” she said. “I think it’s going to be devastating to the community in all aspects, especially for the disabled.”
The Rauner administration has said the terms would save about $3 billion over the next 4 years.
“That’s $3 billion that’s coming out of our pockets,” Ruthart said. “He has said from the beginning that he’s trying to force state workers out.”
The union has said it plans to challenge the ILRB’s decision in court.