Illinois labor movement stands together in opposing governor’s agenda
The labor movement in Illinois has responded swiftly to Gov. Bruce Rauner’s State of the State address, rejecting proposals that would rob workers of their ability to participate in the political process, weaken their unions and lower the quality of public services.
Joining AFSCME in speaking out were the Illinois AFL-CIO, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Education Association and the Laborers Union.
Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan said Rauner has been on a “blame crusade” that unfairly targets public employees.
“While he points to the salaries of those cooking the food in the cafeterias, guarding the prisoners and plowing the snow and ice from our roads as the culprits in our state financial woes, he is silent on the hundreds of tax breaks granted to large businesses and low corporate income tax in Illinois,” he said.
John Penn, Midwest Regional Manager for the Laborers, said Rauner’s speech was “one of the most divisive speeches in memory, blaming unions for everything from high taxes to inflated construction costs.”
Unions have also rejected Rauner’s plan to bring “right-to-work” to Illinois by allowing local governments to decide that workers covered under collective bargaining agreements would not be required to pay any dues or fees to cover the cost of representing them.
Rauner labeled them “employee empowerment zones” but they’re really nothing more than an attempt to eliminate unions and silence workers.
“So-called ‘right-to-work’ or ‘employee empowerment’ laws won’t make our state ‘competitive,’ and cutting the salaries and fundamental rights of hard-working Illinoisans isn’t ‘compassionate,’” Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery said. “Make no mistake – these proposals don’t just harm state employees or union members from the public and private sectors. As Moody’s pointed out today, ‘right-to-work’ laws drive down wages, reduce access to healthcare, and increase income inequality for everyone.”
Rauner’s proposal to ban political contributions from public employee unions – even as the corporate elite exerts its influence to win billions in tax breaks and subsidies – was roundly criticized.
“The governor’s proposal to bar public employees from participating in our democracy would further tilt a playing field already weighted heavily in favor of big business and the wealthy,” AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said.
“The governor is wrong when he says that the problems in our state stem from teachers and other middle class public workers having too much say in how Illinois is run,” Illinois Education Association President Cinda Klickna said. “The opposite is true. With corporate interests spending unheard of sums in politics, the need for a strong voice for the middle class has never been greater.”