News Local/State

Democrats Send Union Negotiation Bill To Rauner

by The Associated Press, with Additional Reporting from Illinois Public Radio
 
Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, right, talks to Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, center, and Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Skokie, left, while on the Senate floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol Thursday, March 3.

Sen. Andy Manar, D-Bunker Hill, right, talks to Sen. David Koehler, D-Peoria, center, and Sen. Daniel Biss, D-Skokie, left, while on the Senate floor during session at the Illinois State Capitol Thursday, March 3. The Democrat-led Senate approved a measure that would allow an outside arbitrator to settle state-employee wages and working conditions in Illinois if union negotiations reach an impasse. Seth Perlman/Assocated Press

The Democrat-led Illinois Senate has approved a measure that would allow an outside arbitrator to settle state-employee wages and working conditions if union negotiations reach an impasse.   The legislation passed by a 38-17 vote Thursday and now heads to Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk. He vetoed an identical proposal last year.

Republicans say the plan is "bad policy'' that would put terms of new contracts in the hands of a union-friendly arbitrator.  But Democrats say the plan would avoid a strike or lockout.
 
The state's contract for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees expired June 30. They are Illinois' largest state employee union.

Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) says the legislation would help both sides get a deal done.  

"It would create the incentive to stay at the table and to negotiate a fair deal between the parties," he said.  "So we may disagree on the bill and its methods, but the net is the same: that the parties stay at the table."

Negotiations between Rauner and the group have stalled after more than a year of talks.

Rauner says it would give workers richer health care and wage benefits, tantamount to a $3-billion tax hike.  Under the proposal, disputes would go to the a mutually agreed arbitration panel instead of the Labor Relations Board.