By David Stanczak
Winston Churchill once said, “Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at with no result.” There was plenty of cause for exhilaration last year when the General Assembly narrowly sustained Gov. Rauner’s veto of a bill that would have resolved the State of Illinois bargaining dispute with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which is holding out for pay and benefit increases that would cost taxpayers about $3 billion (with a b), by requiring that an arbitrator settle the matter. King Solomon was the first arbitrator, and arbitrators have emulated him ever since. Although arbitrators must pick one side’s final position on each issue rather than split the difference, the same effect can be achieved by splitting the issues, some for management, and some for labor. Any increase in benefits is one we can’t afford, especially since a lot of them exceed what is available in the private sector. Do you start getting time-and-a-half after 37-1/2 hours?
Gov. Rauner has asked the Labor Relations Board to rule that the parties are at an impasse. That would allow the State to implement its final position without further bargaining. But the Democrats can’t have that, no, no, no. So Representative Emanuel Chris Welch has introduced HB 580 that would send the matter to arbitration. He argues that his proposal is not one-sided, by stressing that the union would be giving up the right to strike. What a concession! When was the last time in recorded history that any union of any size went on strike? They don’t because any gains they achieve are usually not great enough to make up for the money they lose while on strike. In Illinois, the taxpaying public is not likely to be too sympathetic to people holding out for better pay and benefits than they get, particularly when they know they will get the bill for them. Finally, who wants to walk a picket line in Illinois in February?
The other state unions have recognized reality and settled with the state. AFSCME needs to do the same. We dodged a bullet last year; another one is on the way. If we don’t dodge this one too, the wound will be right in the wallet, painful in more ways than I have time to list. I’m hoping for more exhilaration.
David Stanczak, a Forum commentator since 1995, came to Bloomington in 1971. He served as the City of Bloomington’s first full-time legal counsel for over 18 years, before entering private practice. He is currently employed by the Snyder Companies and continues to reside in Bloomington with his family.
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