AP: AFSCME sues Illinois governor Quinn in fed court over freezing pay

[alp227]

Major state employee union files lawsuit over Illinois governor’s decision to cancel raises:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A major state employee union has filed a federal lawsuit over Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision to cancel raises for thousands of workers.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees filed the suit Friday in Springfield.

Quinn spokesman Grant Klinzman’s reaction to the lawsuit was only to say the Chicago Democrat’s administration will take “the necessary steps to manage the fiscal year 2012 budget.” Quinn had said he was “happy to go to the arbitrator.”

[Necromancer]

1. Sounds good to me

I actually used to be an AFSCME member here in MN when I was employed with the state. I quit that job and that union. Though the services are necessary, the methods used in providing the services are some of, if not THE worst waste of time and money I have ever seen. Also, the AFSCME state employees that are employed in the direct care provider network, which is where I was employed when with the state, are some of the proudest but biggest bunch of whiners I've ever been around in my entire life. Many of these state agencies are in areas where the AFSCME member/state employee is one of the best paid of area employees while also having the best represented employee rights, the best acrual of paid vacation and paid sick time, and the best health benefits around. They have it made in the shade and still compalin. From what I know personally of that "system" those employees don't deserve even what they get, let alone more.

[Omaha Steve]

2. So people in a union get more than people not in a union?

It ain't rocket science. That is the reason to be in a union. And just why did you leave the high pay and benefits for the private sector?

Proud AFSCME member.

http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/why/uniondifference/uniondiff5.cfm

Nonunion Worker Pay Is Significantly Lower in Nearly All Occupational Groups

In nearly every occupational category, workers who are not members of unions have smaller paychecks than union members. By comparing the wages of workers within occupational groups, the cost of not being able to bargain collectively is clear.

Earnings by Occupation, 2009

Full-Time Wage and Salary Workers' Median Weekly Earnings Union MEDIAN WEEKLY EARNINGS Nonunion MEDIAN WEEKLY

FULL list at link.

[just55650]

3. self-delete