Bill could strip right to bargain over health care

URGENT: Strong rumors in the state Capitol indicate that legislation stripping state employees of their right to collective bargaining over health care costs and benefits could be moved in the House of Representatives as soon as today. Your action is needed NOW to prevent its passage.

At this point there is no substantive language or a specific bill. But a shell bill that could be the legislative vehicle passed out of committee on Tuesday night, Feb. 26. Substantive language could be added to this or other legislation and called for a vote of the full House chamber at any time. If passed by the House, the bill would go to the Senate.

This is a direct attack on state workers’ fundamental right to collective bargaining. Negotiating health care benefits and coverage is just as vital as bargaining over wages and other benefits.

Call your state representative and senator NOW!

There are three easy ways to make the calls—you don’t even need to know your lawmakers’ names. You can:

• Dial the toll-free AFSCME legislative hotline at 888-912-5959
• Click here to use our web-based Click-to-Call tool
• Use your mobile phone to text ACTION to 237263 and the legislative hotline will automatically call your cell

Make two calls now, first to your state representative, then to your senator. Tell them:

• I urge you to OPPOSE ANY BILL that would strip state employees of the guaranteed right to bargain over health care.
• Any legislation of this kind is an attack on the basic right of workers to bargain collectively. If such a bill becomes law, health care could only be negotiated if Governor Quinn chose to do so.

Call your lawmakers now! Then share this urgent action alert by email, Facebook and Twitter to get calls from all your co-workers, family and friends.

If and when substantive language is attached to a specific bill, the relevant bill number will be posted here.

Note: This legislation would have repercussions not just for current state employees but for retired state employees and both active and retired state university employees as well, since all participate in the state group health insurance plan.