his plan will save Illinois $3 billion over four years. (Photo by Illinois Radio Network)
By RFD Radio/WFMB
SPRINGFIELD – The Rauner administration is wasting little time reacting to the Illinois Labor Relations Board’s decision that talks with AFSCME are at an impasse.
As the state’s largest union held demonstrations around the state, including Bloomington, Rauner is moving ahead to implement a state employee merit pay plan and to extend the work week to 40 hours before overtime is paid.
“It’s very much the same deal that we’ve already had with 18 other unions,” Rauner said. “Let’s pay people more, but base it on productivity and doing good work.”
:Let’s who what every other taxpayer has to do,” Rauner added, referring to a 40-hour-work week.
The first development of the merit pay plan will be bonuses for workers with infrequent absences. Workers, who missed less than five percent of their assigned work days from July of last year through June 30 of this year, will be eligible for a $1,000 bonus. Vacation, personal and sick days aren’t factored into the number of assigned days.
AFSCME plans a court fight. The union is calling on Rauner to return to the bargaining table rather than impose his contract terms.
Meanwhile, Rauner’s budget director is offering more unflattering numbers when it comes to Illinois’ economic fortunes. Numbers show the state will be seven billion dollars in the red by the end of the fiscal year June 30 and the state will have a $13 billion dollar backlog of unpaid bills.
