Union Contract Impasse

Last week the IL labor relations board declared that contract negotiations between The Governot & AFSCME, the largest public employee Union in IL were at an 'impasse'.

What that does is allow The Governot to impose his 'last & final' contract offer on bargaining unit employees.

How did we get here?   Here's my 'take'.

The Governot took extreme positions on contract negotiations. Eventually gave a few concessions in to make it look like these were actual 'negotiations'.  It's important to keep in mind that the main thrust of The Governot, since his first day in office, was and is to break/destroy this Union.   Why?

If he breaks the Union, the Dem party in IL will be neutered.   Also, part of The Governot's plan.   Dems have always supported and protected Unions  and middle class workers.   And Union workers have supported Dems.   Unions gone?  Far less revenue for the Dems.   Far less support at election times.

It's also worthwhile to look at some labor history. Unions came about to improve working conditions and income for workers.  Article here.   It worked.  And studies have shown that Unions were largely responsible for the creation of the 'middle class'.   Other studies have shown that because of Unions, all workers get higher income, Union membership or not.  

Eventually, Ruiner declared an 'impasse'.   An Administrative Judge evaluated all the points of contention.   Decided that some were at an impasse and others should continue to be negotiated.

Ruiner didn't like that response, so he sent that ruling to the Illinois labor relations board for review.

The labor board, composed of 5 members, took the easy and lazy way out and declared the negotiations were at an impasse.

So, with this move, Ruiner implements his contract provisions.   Union member or fair share worker?   Why bother with paying dues if the Union can't bargain for you?

The WI governor had a 4 year head start over Ruiner.   Took away collective bargaining in WI.   WI ain't that significantly better off today than before. 

So, we get another small tear in the fabric of American society.