State employees show their unity

On April 30, state employees at hundreds of worksites across Illinois joined in wearing buttons, t-shirts, jackets, and other AFSCME symbols to demonstrate their resolve to protect the economic progress and rights on the job that are so essential to their own and their families’ well-being.

After months of bargaining for a new union contract, the Rauner administration is still holding to proposals for dozens of changes to key sections of the contract aiming to undo decades of progress in shaping safe, fair and humane working conditions.

While the two sides have yet to exchange economic proposals, the governor has already submitted a budget plan to the General Assembly based on $700 million in cuts to the group health insurance plan – cuts that would result in steep increases in employee health care costs.

That’s why AFSCME members in state government stood together for Unity Day. Whether wearing AFSCME green or a “100% Union!” button, or displaying signs and banners, state employees made clear that they deserve a fair contract.