Make the call to stop assault on collective bargaining

AFSCME members are making calls to state legislators in an effort to compel the governor to honor the union contract. Call your legislator at 1-888-912-5959. Tell them to stop the assault on collective bargaining and fix the state budget.

Blaming a shortage of funds, Gov. Pat Quinn is withholding negotiated pay raises.  And he's trying to lay off 2,000 state workers in violation of an agreement in which employees made more than $40 million in wage and benefit concessions in exchange for a "no layoff" pledge. 

If Quinn's actions are allowed to stand, they will set a dangerous precedent in which any governor, university president, or local mayor can void an existing union contract any time there is a shortage of funds.

AFSCME is challenging Quinn in court, but experience shows that legal justice is neither certain nor swift.  So we have to make our own justice.

That's why every AFSCME member, no matter where you work, should make the call to your state legislators, urging passage of a supplemental appropriation in the upcoming Fall Veto Session.  Let them know how angry you are that collective bargaining is threatened in our state.

Tell your legislators:  I urge you to help put a halt to Gov. Quinn's attack on the integrity of collective bargaining in Illinois by supporting a supplemental appropriation that would honor the union contract and prevent closures and layoffs.

Right now it's "Tell it to the House" call-ins to state representatives.  A "Tell it to the Senate" campaign starts Oct. 3, with AFSCME members calling their state senators.

Call your legislators on the toll-free AFSCME Hotline: 1-888-912-5959.

See below for the full list of threatened facilities (first document) and a worksite flyer about the call-in campaign (second document).

Gov. Quinn threatens 2,000 layoffs, cuts to disability services, mental health and safe prisons

Flyer for AFSCME Call-In Weeks

The veto session runs Oct. 25-27 and Nov. 8-10.