ON THE #181 • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018

Illinois Council 31—American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees—AFL-CIO PAID AFSCME U.S. Postage U.S. Non-Profit Org Ave. 21st Floor 205 N. Michigan 205 N. Michigan , IL 60601 Chicago, AFSCME Council 31

Raises make big Supreme Court AFSCME and MLK, difference case takes aim 50 years later PAGE 3 PAGE 4 PAGE 8 2 On the Move January-February 2018

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

On the Move Rauner pushes to AFSCME On the Move is published six times annually by Illinois Public Employees Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal weaken rights, cut Employees, AFL-CIO. Send correspondence to: [email protected] or: AFSCME, On the Move, benefits 205 N. Michigan Ave., 21st Floor, Chicago, IL 60601

Roberta Lynch, Executive Director He’s blind to the demands and dangers many Mike Newman, Deputy Director Nell McNamara, Editor public employees face every day Tom Greensfelder, Designer

COUNCIL 31 EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

Executive Director ruce Rauner is at it again. He ran our state deep into debt, Roberta Lynch

destabilized its institutions, demoralized its people—and his State Sector Executive solution to the giant mess he’s created is to beat up some more Vice-President B Ralph Portwood, Local 1866 on public employees. Only a psychiatrist could explain why Rauner so Private Sector Executive consistently singles out middle class public employees as his targets, Vice-President Yolanda Woods, Local 2481

seeking to reduce our income and make our lives more difficult while University Executive asking nothing of our state’s wealthy elite. Vice-President Ellen Larrimore, Local 1989

Local Government Executive BY In the latest instance—his parent. Where was Bruce nette B. who had to be hos- Vice-President 2019 budget address—Rauner Rauner’s recognition of the pitalized after coming down John Rayburn, Local 1215 ROBERTA LYNCH laid out three lines of attack courage and dedication of Pam with the disease. Secretary against public service workers: Knight and the risks that DCFS Unfortunately, many, Dave Delrose, Local 1028

remove health care benefits employees take every day to many more public service Treasurer from collective bargaining so protect kids? workers are injured in the line David Morris, Local 805 that he and other employers And after introducing of duty every day in our state. THIS IS THE can impose big cost increases policy changes that made our Yes, their jobs carry inherent BOARD MEMBERS on state, university and local state’s correctional centers risks, but in far too many YEAR WE CAN State Conference Board government employees; cut more chaotic and violent, instances those risks are made Co-Chairs SET A BETTER the pension benefits of current where was Rauner’s concern far worse by an employer that Gloria Arseneau, Local 2794 state and university employ- for the DOC and DJJ staff who fails to make any attempt to Gary Ciaccio, Local 29 COURSE ees; and take away health care are being assaulted by inmates minimize them. Kathy Lane, Local 448 benefits from retired teachers. with increasing frequency? Everyone deserves respect IF WE ARE Rauner claims he doesn’t Why did he fail to even men- on the job, affordable health REGION I VICE-PRESIDENTS UNITED AND think it’s fair that private sec- tion employees like Mary B., care and dignity in retirement. Phil Cisneros, Local 3969 tor workers should pay taxes an educator at IYC St. Charles, Yet public employees in Illi- Safiya Felters, Local 2854 DETERMINED. that allow public sector work- who was punched repeatedly nois now must work under the Lloyd Marshall, Local 3477 ers to have better benefits than in the face and knocked out shadow of a governor who not Stephen Mittons, Local 2081 they do. This is as empty an cold by one of the incarcerated only dismisses the value of the Kobie Robinson, Local 3835 argument as you’ll ever hear. youth, causing lasting damage work we do, but demeans us Crosby Smith, Local 2645 After all, why should middle to her face and neck? while seeking to make health class taxpayers (including Or Silvia N., a correction- care less accessible and retire- REGION II VICE-PRESIDENTS public employees) have to pay al officer at East Moline CC, ment less secure. Terry Boone, Local 672 taxes to support the countless alone on duty when she was We need a governor who Garry Cacciapaglia, Local 1058 tax breaks (totaling over $3 attacked by an inmate and acts out of basic human decen- Carlene Erno, Local 2615 billion) that big business gets knocked unconscious with a cy. A governor who cares about Tom Opolony, Local 89 in our state? And why should rock? Or the growing number safe working conditions and Yurvette Simmons, Local 3237 lower-income taxpayers who of staff injuries at Pontiac CC, works to reduce the risks that Miguel Vazquez, Local 3297 can’t afford a new car or their like the one suffered by Zack employees face on the job. We own home have to pay taxes S., a correctional officer who need a governor who respects REGION III VICE-PRESIDENTS so the governor can be flown an inmate stabbed in the head and values public employees Shaun Dawson, Local 2073 around in a state plane or driv- with a shank? and the vital work we do, not Lori Gladson, Local 51 en around in state SUV’s and Does Bruce Rauner have one who batters and belittles Steve Howerter, Local 3585 get to live in a big mansion in even the faintest idea of what us seeking to take away our Melanie Hoyle, Local 2600 Springfield (when he already it’s like to face the daily threat rights and drive down our Matt Lukow, Local 1964 owns nine homes)? of assault just to earn a living, standard of living. Trudy Williams, Local 3433 Rauner’s assault takes like Chester MHC security This is the year we can set direct aim at public employees therapy aide Geoff F. who a a better course, but it won’t REGION IV VICE-PRESIDENTS after a year which powerfully forensic patient attacked and be easy. Rauner has untold Tad Hawk, Local 1805 illuminates the unique and nearly choked to death? wealth at his disposal, utter Chris Milton, Local 799 daunting challenges that so And then there is the ruthlessness as his modus ope- Cary Quick, Local 141 many face on the job every highly-publicized crisis at randi, and not even a nodding Tim Worker, Local 993 day—the risks they take, the the Quincy Veterans’ Home, acquaintance with honesty or sacrifices they make, and the where multiple outbreaks of integrity. TRUSTEES consequences they face in the Legionnaire’s Disease over the It will take an epic effort Tom Brown, Local 3654 service of the public good. past three years have left 13 to defeat him. But if we are Jerry Grammer, Local 1175 I am writing these words residents dead. Through each united and determined in our Jeffrey Reighter, II, Local 2856 just a few days after attending outbreak, the employees— own ranks, if we join with oth- the funeral service for Pamela public employees—at the ers who want a better state, if RETIREE CHAPTER 31 REPRESENTATIVE Sue Knight, a DCFS caseworker home have remained on the we refuse to succumb to cyni- who died after having been job, continuing to care for the cism or despair, and if we work Larry Brown brutally beaten when she veterans despite the risks to our hearts out, this Novem- attempted to rescue a two- their own health. Employees ber’s election can mark a new year-old child from an abusive like nursing assistant Antoi- start for Illinois. January-February 2018 On the Move 3

Raises make big difference

Buoyed by pay increase, community disability workers ready to fight for more

I hope this helps with the turnover problem. It’s hard for our clients when they get used to onprofit agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities somebody’s face, dealing with someone they have been among the hardest hit by Illinois’ fiscal woes. They are know, and out of the blue that person is no lon- almost entirely dependent on state funding that for years was ger there. We also need to give new hires more N incentive to stay in this field. effectively frozen, with no additional allocations to provide for employee pay increases.

Through all those years, AFSCME led the fight were threatening to give non-state-funded em- Christine Rivera in the Illinois General Assembly for increased ployees a lesser amount. AFSCME LOCAL 3492 funding, joining with employers and advocates We decided to stay together. We made sure RAY GRAHAM ASSOCIATION to make the case that direct support personnel that every union employee, no matter where their (DSPs) deserve a living wage. funding came from, got those 75 cents. We always AFTER THE 75-CENT PAY RAISE, I don’t feel as Even during the Rauner budget blockade, need to stick together. stressed. I’m able to spend more time at home AFSCME members in community agencies kept with my grandkids because I don’t have to work organizing, lobbying and fighting. Legislators as many hours. Before, I was working so much couldn’t help but hear their message and be James Sitati overtime just to get by. All I did was work, go moved by their dedication. So when a budget was AFSCME LOCAL 4008 home, sleep, and then go back to work. Now I can finally enacted last summer, it included an addi- LITTLE CITY FOUNDATION afford to fill up my gas tank and go places. I’m able tional 75 cents an hour—nearly a nine percent to enjoy life a bit more. pay increase for these very underpaid employees. FOR MOST DSPS, IT’S NOT THE wages that I just recently had my 16-year anniversary Poverty wages in the disability care field keep you here. You get attached to the people and I can tell you that I stay here first and fore- have made it extremely difficult for caregivers to you’re serving, and that’s what keeps you here most because of the residents that we care for. provide for their own families and short-changed despite the challenges of long hours, lack of sleep I enjoy this field and I went to school for my services for people with disabilities by driving and low wages. nursing assistant certification because I want to dangerously high rates of staff turnover. We are able to make a difference in people’s do this work. But now, just a few short months since the lives and see the immediate impact of what we But the other reason I stay is this fight to new pay rates have been implemented, AFSCME do right in front of our eyes. Whether you’re get a better wage for DSPs like me. We’ve been members are seeing big differences in their daily teaching them how to tie their shoes or shave, working for this wage increase for years and the lives. And the victory has inspired them to keep or helping them learn how to do the laundry or hope for a successful outcome has kept me active fighting for better pay for their demanding and cook a meal, you’re showing them how to rely in the union. I want to help those that will come critical work. less on someone else and be more independent. after me. That keeps us wanting to do more. It’s really exciting when you see that a differ- Now that we got this money from the state, ence is being made. Even if it’s taken a few years it’s been a shot in the arm. It’s way, way overdue. and we still have a ways to go, we have to recog- Our paychecks are extending a little further now nize that this is encouragement to keep pushing. Mary Askins-Smith and people can do some things that were harder It will happen. I have confidence in what we’re AFSCME LOCAL 1831 to do before. doing. SAVE (ST. CLAIR ASSOCIATED VOCATIONAL ENTERPRISES, INC.)

I’M IN MY 60S AND THIS is my 37th year at SAVE. I’ve always worked more than one job up until just a few years ago. I was a single parent and I had to make sure I could raise my kids. Seems like I was working all the time. Since 2000, I’ve only received a pay raise a few times and they amounted to less than two dol- lars total—in nearly 20 years! It seems like even though we’re committed to the people we serve, no one is committed to us. That’s why we really do appreciate AFSCME fighting for us and getting a raise for us. I wish it were more, but it’s an important first step. I absolutely love the people I work with. We do vocational work in a factory-like setting. They work hard. They’re just good people. But it’s always a struggle with the bosses. They made it seem like we had to bargain just to get the state funding that is our right—and they Local 1831 members Paula Johnson, Tonya Walker (front), TJ Walker, Mary Askins-Smith, Karey Smith, and Vito Watson celebrate their new union contract. 4 On the Move January-February 2018

Amicus briefs filed in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31

hirty-nine amicus briefs have been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in T opposition to the lawsuit initiated by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner that aims to take away the freedom of working people to join together in strong unions and speak up for themselves and their communities.

Amicus briefs are legal docu- civil rights groups including ments filed by non-litigants the Human Rights Campaign, with a strong interest in a ecumenical communities and court case’s subject matter. The the U.S. Conference of Catholic briefs advise the court of rele- Bishops, mayors of major U.S. vant, additional information or cities, as well as U.S. senators arguments that the court might who examine the political wish to consider. intent behind this case. (The Collectively, the authors of amicus briefs are available at the amicus briefs supporting SCOTUSblog.com.) AFSCME’s position in the case The U.S. Conference of of Janus v. AFSCME Council Catholic Bishops particularly Timeline for Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 31 argue for upholding Abood notes its longstanding opposi- v. Detroit Board of Education tion to “right-to-work” legisla- • January 12: Opening briefs filed (1977), a case in which the tion, pointing to various papal Supreme Court unanimously statements and encyclicals in • January 19: Amicus briefs (39) filed in support of AFSCME agreed that Fair Share fees support of labor rights dating for public employees are back to 1891 and as recent • February 24: National Working People’s Day of Action permissible under the First as Pope Francis’s June 2017 Amendment. address. He told delegates from • February 26: Oral arguments The amicus briefs filed on the Confederation of Trade behalf of AFSCME and working Unions in Italy: “There is no • Decision: Issued by Supreme Court between April and June people come from a wide-rang- good society without a good ing set of supporters, including union, and there is no good conservative First Amendment union that is not reborn every by the other side in this case, ical attack on the freedoms of Roberta Lynch. “At a time when originalists, Nobel prize-win- day in the peripheries, that which are mostly authored by working people by the same America desperately needs to ning economists, state and local does not transform the discard- political interest groups funded billionaires and corporate inter- regain its faith in our govern- public employers from Illinois ed stones of the economy into by a small band of right-wing ests that have for years rigged ment institutions, we hope the and across the country, Republi- its cornerstones.” interests. our economy and politics in Supreme Court will see this can lawmakers, child protective Compare this broad array “It is clear that Janus v. their own favor,” said AFSCME ruse for what it is and decide service workers, more than 85 of supporters to the briefs filed AFSCME Council 31 is a polit- Council 31 Executive Director the case on the merits.” The real Illinois Policy Institute

IPI bashes public employees non-stop

take a 27% pay cut because •• Said that “a government tute cares about. “Illinois government work- shutdown might be exactly As AFSCME Council 31 he Illinois Policy Institute suddenly ers are costing the state what Illinois needs.” Deputy Director Mike New- dearly” with “inflated pay” •• Supported privatization, man said, the real IPI is “a claims to be incredibly concerned about and “egregious perks.” calling Sandy Springs, Geor- shadowy, billionaire-backed the well-being of Illinois workers. They say •• Pushed for huge hikes in gia, “an example of efficien- front group that calls itself T health costs for state and cy for Illinois and the rest of a ‘think tank’ but is actually that’s why their legal arm is backing the Janus university employees and the country” because it has single-mindedly devoted to lawsuit against AFSCME Council 31. retirees. privatized all local govern- dismantling the very organi- •• Took more than half a mil- ment services except police zation that has helped work- lion dollars in funding from and fire. ers improve their lives—pub- But why would an organiza- the facts. Bruce Rauner’s foundation. •• Attacked state employees’ lic sector unions.” tion that’s been beating up •• Argued that “the Illinois union contract because it The IPI and Bruce Rauner on public workers since its The IPI: Supreme Court can and provides for paid holidays share an agenda: Attack work- founding suddenly decide should change its interpre- and a fair disciplinary ing people—strip their rights, to champion their rights? •• Called on Gov. Bruce Rauner tation of the pension protec- process. drive down their wages, wipe Hmm… something doesn’t to “lay off the entire state tion clause” or that voters After reading the facts, out their unions and destroy smell right here. workforce and close the pen- should “end the pension the truth is clear: The well-be- the labor movement. Who is the Illinois Policy sion system.” protection clause through a ing of workers is the very last Institute, really? Let’s review •• Said state employees should constitutional amendment.” thing the Illinois Policy Insti- Continued on next page January-February 2018 On the Move 5

We are AFSCME Strong!

of fair share fees altogether, I thought back to my union FSCME members have been working orientation when they said together for decades to improve their the most powerful tool we have is our numbers. I decided working lives, their families’ well- to become a full dues-paying A member because the union being and their communities’ futures. But that takes care of everybody and I freedom to organize is exactly what the dark wanted to pay my fair share. forces behind the Janus court case want to stop. For young people like me, it’s really hard to find an “The fact that workers have a entry-level position that pays voice on the job through their a fair wage because of the wage unions galls the ultra-rich,” stagnation in our country. And AFSCME Council 31 Executive when you turn 26 you also Director Roberta Lynch said, need to worry about where you “I’m AFSCME Strong because the “because when workers join can get good, affordable health together they can improve insurance. The union does all union has our backs.” their wages and benefits—and that for us and that’s why it’s influence the decisions that so important to me. affect their lives.” We get decent wages and Without Fair Share fees fair benefits because of the maintenance worker and I was It’s a lot easier to go to work that Janus seeks to outlaw, union. It wasn’t always like sworn in as president of our every day and do your best the union’s power to negotiate this, and in a lot of other jobs local union in November. I when you know someone has fair contracts and lobby for it’s not like this. The only love sticking up for people who your back. legislative protections would reason private-sector jobs are didn’t think they had a voice. We’re the lifeblood of this be diminished. But AFSCME decent is because of union We are signing our mem- community. The work we’re members are more steadfast jobs. bers up in the AFSCME Strong doing is so important but it than ever in the face of what That’s why it’s import- program because there is can be undervalued. We work an anti-worker decision in the “I’m AFSCME ant for us to stay united. I’m power in numbers and with in the highway department, Janus case could mean. They AFSCME Strong for my fellow the challenges we’re facing, in the health department and are joining together and recom- Strong for my workers and for people hop- our unity is more important in the county nursing home. mitting themselves to our fellow workers.” ing for a good job. If we don’t than ever. We are the union. We’re average people taking union through the AFSCME stand together, the things Every one of us is part of it. care of average people and we Strong program. we’ve fought for—our wages, That’s what makes us strong. deserve to be taken care of too. our benefits, our rights—can I come from a middle class One person might not find out that state employees be taken away from us. family. My dad was a military be heard and can be easily Jill Krippel had a union. I thought it was man and had 30-plus years as ignored. But if we’re united, just for teachers and construc- a factory plant engineer. I’ve then they can’t ignore us. AFSCME LOCAL 997 tion workers. It threw me for Chuck Coulter always been taught that you I’m AFSCME Strong Gov. Rauner was elected a a loop so I signed on as a fair wake up in the morning and because the union has our month after I started working share fee-payer. AFSCME LOCAL 3537 you go to work. I’ve worked back. There is strength in for the state as a revenue tax But when I heard that I’ve worked for DeKalb in nonunion jobs and it’s a lot numbers. Together we can specialist. I was surprised to Rauner was trying to get rid County for two years as a harder if you’re going it alone. have a voice. THE REAL IPI Continued from previous page

A massive anti- helping employees by letting them know that the union union campaign will have to represent them— The IPI is counting on the and they’ll still benefit from Supreme Court’s pro-corpo- the union’s gains—whether rate, anti-union majority to they’re members or not. ban public sector unions from But their assertions collecting fees from repre- don’t pass the smell test. If sented employees who are not the IPI can get thousands of members—creating national teachers, nurses, correctional “right-to-work” for the public officers, sanitation workers, sector. social workers, clerical work- The State Policy Network, ers and other public employ- to which the Illinois Policy ees to drop their union Institute belongs, has hailed membership, then unions will the Janus case as a “mortal be starved of resources and blow” against public employ- won’t be able to make real ee unions. gains for anyone. To help it along, the IPI is What the Illinois Policy laying the groundwork for a Institute fails to say is that massive outreach campaign in if enough members quit the which they will contact every union, there will no longer be public employee in Illinois to a union. And that’s exactly encourage them to drop out what Rauner and the Illinois of their union. Policy Institute really want. The IPI claims they’re Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman cozies up to Gov. Bruce Rauner in 2014. 6 On the Move January-February 2018

Ready for change in 2018

AFSCME members set legislative agenda and electoral strategy

AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch addresses delegates to the Jan. 27 PEOPLE Conference, where members and retirees voted on the union’s legislative agenda and electoral endorsements.

Rauner as governor and gain who are consolidating ever ference to review the voting control of the Illinois General greater wealth and power, records of incumbent state undreds of delegates from AFSCME Assembly. It’s more important Lynch stressed the critical legislators and interview new than ever for union members importance of grassroots candidates. The PEOPLE Exec- local unions across the state gathered to come together to support involvement in the 2018 utive Committee, comprised of in Springfield on January 27 for candidates who will stand with elections. “This is the year the regional committee chairs, H working people. And that was that people power beats dark made final endorsements for the AFSCME PEOPLE Conference to set the a key theme for speakers and money!” she said. state legislative races based on union’s 2018 legislative agenda and formulate workshops at the conference. “We can’t keep rewarding those recommendations. a plan to elect pro-worker candidates in “If it weren’t for being the rich and abandoning the And at the Jan. 27 confer- involved in politics and mak- poor,” Sen. Don Harmon told ence, the full body of delegates the March primary and November general ing our voices heard in that the AFSCME members and voted on endorsements in elections. arena, public employees in retirees. He said the time is statewide and Congressional Illinois wouldn’t have their now to protect working fami- races. They met at a time of unprece- at our worksites, at rallies and unions today,” Council 31 lies and create a fair tax struc- The PEOPLE conference dented challenge as a powerful on picket lines, and in the state Executive Director Roberta ture in Illinois: “Supporting did not make any endorse- network of the super-rich seek and federal courts, we must also Lynch told the packed crowd. unions is the key to support- ment in the Democratic guber- to strip working people of our fight back at the polls. Describing the growing ing middle class families.” natorial primary. Recognizing ability to come together in Anti-union forces are mar- influence of the Koch Brothers AFSCME members and the importance of focusing strong unions. As we’re fighting shaling piles of money in their and the shadowy network of retirees also met in small- all of our union’s efforts on back at the bargaining table, determination to re-elect Bruce millionaires and billionaires group workshops to tackle big defeating Bruce Rauner in challenges that union mem- November, the conference bers face in 2018 and beyond. voted to delegate authority They focused in particular on to the PEOPLE Executive Urge your legislators to support getting the message out to Committee to make an official co-workers, friends and neigh- endorsement in the general back pay appropriation bill! bors in order to win key races election as soon as the prima- in 2018. ry election is over. AFSCME’s lobbying team is working hard to build support in the Illinois “We have a vision where In the race for attorney General Assembly for new legislation to fund the remaining back pay still work is valued over wealth and general, the PEOPLE Executive people are valued over greed,” Committee recommended the owed to thousands of state employees since a pay raise was withheld in Council 31 Deputy Director endorsement of state Sen. 2011. Senate Bill 2269 is sponsored by Sen. (D) and Sen. Sam Mike Newman said as he , currently serv- McCann (R); Rep. Jerry Costello sponsors House Bill 4290. closed the conference. Mem- ing as a state senator, based bers and retirees were called on his Senate voting record The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that the wages are owed to employees, to work toward a better future and his pledge to make the but that they cannot be paid without a legislative appropriation. for everyone in Illinois. attorney general’s office more responsive to the issues of Sen. Manar points out that these back wages are “the oldest debt in state Electoral importance to Illinois workers. government.” He believes the bill has a good chance of passing because endorsements The conference accepted the “the facts are on our side.” recommendation and voted to Local union presidents, endorse Sen. Raoul for AG in Call the AFSCME hotline today at 888.912.5959 and urge retiree sub-chapter presidents the Democratic primary. your state legislators to vote YES on SB 2269 and HB 4290! and PEOPLE chairs of AFSCME Council 31 met on a regional basis in advance of the con- Continued on next page January-February 2018 On the Move 7

AFSCME Recommendations 2018 March Primary The following candidates have been endorsed by AFSCME Illinois PEOPLE. AFSCME does not normally make endorsements in uncontested races. NATIONAL House 14: (D) County Board 3rd District: Bill Lowry (D) Congressional District 2: Robin Kelly (D) House 17: Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D) County Board 4th District: Stanley Moore (D) Congressional District 3: Dan Lipinski (D) House 19: (D) County Board 5th District: Deborah Sims (D) Congressional District 4: Jesus “Chuy” House 24: Lisa Hernandez (D) County Board 12th District: Bridget Degnen (D) Garcia (D) House 27: (D) County Board 13th District: Larry Suffredin (D) Congressional District 5: Mike Quigley (D) House 28: Bob Rita (D) County Board 15th District: Kevin Morrison (D) Congressional District 7: Danny Davis (D) House 29: Thaddeus Jones (D) Congressional District 12: Brendan Kelly (D) House 31: Mary Flowers (D) Grundy County House 38: David Bonner (D) Sheriff: Ken Briley (R) House 47: Anne Sommerkamp (D) STATEWIDE House 59: (D) Illinois Attorney General: Kwame Raoul (D) Kane County House 76: (D) County Board 1st District: Myrna Molina (D) House 104: Cynthia Cunningham (D) County Board 3rd District: Don Ishmael (D) STATE LEGISLATURE House 107: Laura Myers (R) County Board 7th District: Monica Silva (D) House 115: Marsha Griffin (D) and County Board 17th District: Janice Bennett (D) State Senate (R) Senate 20: Iris Martinez (D) Senate 27: Anne Gillespie (D) LaSalle County Senate 36: Gregg Johnson (D) COUNTY County Clerk: Vickie Leadingham (D) Senate 54: Rafael Him (R) Champaign County County Board 6th District: Mike Ingram (D) Will County State House County Board 9th District: Sherry Williams (D) House 1: Dan Burke (D) Cook County House 4: (D) County Board 1st District: Brandon Johnson (D) Winnebago County House 5: Lamont Robinson (D) County Board 2nd District: Dennis Deer (D) Sheriff: Gary Caruana (R)

Register to Vote & Vote Early! February 8: Early voting begins in most parts of the state (except Chicago and suburban Cook County) February 21: Early voting begins in City of Chicago March 5: Early voting begins in suburban Cook County March 19:  Last day for early voting March 20: Election Day! Visit AFSCME31.org/ReadySetVote for more information.

READY FOR CHANGE

Continued from previous page ing paid family leave for all workers; and Legislative agenda – Support efforts to stop sexual harassment in the In addition to electoral workplace. endorsements, delegates also approved AFSCME Council • Support responsible budgets 31’s 2018 legislative agenda. and adequate revenues for The union pledges to state and local governments. work for the following in the • Pay state employees back 2018 legislative session: wages owed. • Protect workers’ rights: • Oppose any attempts to cut – Fight any effort to weaken public employee pensions. or diminish collective bar- • Demand safer working gaining rights; conditions. – Work to defeat any effort • Fight privatization of public to pass any version of services and assets. so-called “Right-to-Work” • Support adequate funding legislation; for state universities. – Oppose any efforts to • Fight to raise wages in diminish workers’ compen- AFSCME-represented non- sation or unemployment profit agencies. insurance benefits; – Support efforts to raise the minimum wage in Illinois; Visit afscme31.org/legislative- agenda2018 for the full list of – Support legislation requir- AFSCME members and retirees committed the union to protecting workers’ rights and supporting a fair and equitable budget. priorities. In 1968, they marched for justice and equality

On February 1, 1968, a storm forced Memphis sanitation workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker to seek shelter in the back of their truck. The workers’ repeated warnings to management about faulty equipment proved tragically prophetic that day when the truck’s compactor kicked on, crushing the two young men to death. It was the Jim Crow South. African-American sanitation workers were called “boy.” They faced poverty wages, a plantation-style work environment, and degrading, unsafe working conditions. The city refused to recognize their union or even their basic humanity. After Cole’s and Walker’s deaths, their co-workers decided they had had enough. So 1,300 members of AFSCME Local 1733 stood together, risked everything, and went on strike, demanding dignity and respect. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. joined their struggle. He traveled to Memphis to rally the community and express his solidarity because he understood the connection between labor rights, economic rights, human rights and civil rights. He marched in solidarity with the striking workers as they carried placards with four simple, but powerful words: “I AM A MAN.” And workers across the country, including AFSCME members in Illinois (left), rallied in solidarity with the strikers and their fight for justice. On the evening of April 3 at the historic Mason Temple, the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) International Headquarters, Dr. King delivered his famous “Mountaintop” speech. “Let us rise up,” King told the crowd. “Let us stand with a greater determination... We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.” Less than 24 hours later, he was gunned down on the balcony of Memphis’ Lorraine Motel.

© DR. ERNEST C. WITHERS, SR. COURTESY OF THE WITHERS FAMILY TRUST AND THEWITHERSCOLLECTION.COM Honoring their legacy with action

AFSCME’s I AM 2018 initiative is honoring the 50th anniversary of King’s assassination, bridging the past and the present by re-dedicating our union to the fight for justice and equality. On February 1, AFSCME members commemorated the deaths of Cole and Walker with a Nationwide Moment of Silence. And on April 2-4, AFSCME, COGIC, and civil, human and workers’ rights leaders will gather in Memphis for a series of events to honor Dr. King’s legacy and the courage and sacrifice of the sanitation workers. I AM 2018 is an urgent call to fight poverty and prejudice, advance the freedom of all working people and remind America that there can be no racial justice without economic justice and no economic justice without racial justice. 50 years later, we carry it on

Sherry Kirk Hynson Carter-Allen AFSCME LOCAL 805 RETIREE SUB-CHAPTER 78 STATE OF ILLINOIS, SPRINGFIELD If the civil rights movement hadn’t PEORIA happened, our country wouldn’t To me, AFSCME is not a union, be what it is now. Civil rights, union it’s a movement. Everything rights, voting rights, women’s Dr. King fought for and what rights—it all stemmed from that we continue to fight for is the activism. People were demanding fundamental foundation of the things instead of taking whatever labor movement. You can’t have they were given. labor rights without women’s Martin Luther King was a pow- rights. You can’t have labor erful person who motivated people rights without civil rights. and helped shape our economy. He I remember when I was a lit- drew attention to the Memphis strike tle girl there was a café in Peoria and to the importance of the labor called, ironically, the Red, White movement. He helped lift up the and Blue Café. Every Sunday strikers to show that if you band together you can make changes. after church my grandfather would take us riding in his Chevy on Right now we’re still in a battle. People are struggling even though Main Street. I remember seeing people eating in the window of the they work full-time jobs or café and I asked my grandmother why we never ate there. She said, even two jobs. If you work because we’re colored and we’re not allowed to eat in there, honey. eight hours a day, you “ W e need to stay Now fast-forward to a few years ago and I’m sitting at the Red, shouldn’t have to lead a des- White and Blue Café for a union meeting, a place where I couldn’t olate existence. Everybody focused on the even eat as a child. should have the opportunity to live a comfortable life and That was Dr. King’s dream. It inspires me to want to do even nobody should have to make future that we want more to keep his dream alive. a choice between eating and We must understand that unity brings power. We must stand in paying their rent on time. solidarity and fight to the end for justice for all people. That’s what to have. As long as That’s what Dr. King stood AFSCME means. for and that’s what we have to we keep fighting, fight for today. Volunteering during this Vonnie year’s elections is extremely we will achieve it.” important to our fight. I’ve Moore knocked on doors and done cold-calling and I know it can be uncom- AFSCME LOCAL 1891 fortable. But when you have a face-to-face conversation, and really lis- CITY OF EVANSTON ten, you can change that person’s vote. And that one vote can make the difference—especially at the local level. Martin Luther King put forth If we continue to let corporations and CEOs control the money, a tremendous effort in his life they control everything. We need to and his work for equality is still stay focused on the future that we being carried out. It’s a struggle want to have. As long as we keep we’re still involved with today fighting, we will achieve it. It’s on the and it has great importance in horizon. my life. Workers in my sanitation division drive one-man recycling Shirley Byrd trucks, making 450 stops a RETIREE SUB-CHAPTER 57 day, in the rain, snow or shine. KANKAKEE You can imagine the toll of that I certainly remember the strike and workload every day. the King assassination. I remember Unions help in that struggle by negotiating fairness, from com- watching the news with shock and petitive wages to safe equipment to health insurance and all the dismay. things you need to sustain life. If there were no negotiations, the I lived through the civil rights powers that be would play on an unbalanced playing field. Unions movement. I started working for the help balance the field; they make sure it’s just and fair. state in 1963 at just $245 a month and As a union, we need to be dedicated to educating the millenni- I didn’t know when I was going to get als about how we got to this point. That not so long ago, we didn’t paid. The things we had to go through! have the equipment that we have, we didn’t have the rights and Everything was totally different when we won the union in 1971. I’ve wages that we have. We need to show pride in our union. really benefited from the union. Without it, I wouldn’t have gotten anything. We need to be diligent in remembering who Martin Luther King I worry because I feel like now we’re going backwards. I have a was and what he stood for, so his commitment to labor and the great-grandson and I wonder what it’s going to be like for him. But then betterment of mankind never dies. King—and many others—died in I see things like the Women’s March and I think people are waking up order to get to the point where we are today. And there’s still a lot of and smelling the coffee. They are realizing they need to get involved. work to be done. For me, it’s innate. If I don’t like things, I say something about it or do For King, it was his faith and his belief in God that kept him something about it. One month after I retired, I was at the retirees meet- going. It’s easy if your faith is strong. We need to have faith that in ing. I was on the retiree executive board from 1995 until 2017. I didn’t like the end we can make a difference. what was going on in my home town, so I ran for mayor and I won. So I’m not sitting around and twiddling my thumbs. 10 On the Move January-February 2018

Rauner mismanagement revealed

A slew of blunders leaves a messy campaign trail

from the outset of the out- the privatization and the lack sive deal as a way to save breaks, ignoring efforts by of open-bidding on the con- the state money, but the ruce Rauner ran for governor as a savvy AFSCME members to provide tracts, lawmakers called for an state isn’t tracking where input. The union was forced audit of the program. money is going and how it’s businessman who would bring Illinois to seek information from the And rightly so. The audit being spent. Instead Rauner back from a financial downslide. But federal Center for Disease found that in six years, the is allowing private insur- B Control and the county health state has not checked its ance companies to line their after three years with Rauner as CEO the department because the state books for excess profit-tak- pockets. state is nothing short of a mess. was largely unresponsive to ing by participating insur- requests for information. ance companies. This check Families lose help Seemingly every day there is ence of the Legionella bacteria The occurrence of Legion- is necessary to ensure that before holidays a new example of Gov. Raun- in the Quincy Veterans’ Home naires’ disease at the Quincy insurance companies spend a er’s mismanagement. On his water system, 13 residents Veterans’ Home has been a contracted percentage of state Just before Christmas, watch, state operations have have lost their lives and many source of great anxiety for money on medical care, and Rauner left many low-income steadily deteriorated. And more residents and employees AFSCME members who are don’t heartlessly deny care families without food on their with Election Day on the hori- have been stricken. dedicated to caring for res- tables. The state sought to zon, voters aren’t impressed. Rauner’s administra- idents. Employees welcome change the way it managed A purported technology tion has been under fire for increased scrutiny by lawmak- its Supplemental Nutrition overhaul that created a whole mismanaging the situation, ers and look forward to work- Assistance Program (SNAP), new agency (DoIT) has been especially the state’s failure to ing toward a better future for After three years the largest government plagued by confusion and notify families and workers in the home, its dedicated staff hunger safety net, as well as mismanagement. In DCFS the a timely manner. and the heroes they serve. with Rauner as other forms of aid to fami- failure to hire adequate staff When lawmakers CEO the state is lies, seniors and people with has put intense pressure on demanded an inquiry into the Medicaid audit disabilities. Rauner chose to caseworkers. And in DOC and matter, AFSCME provided nothing short of continue to sink millions into DJJ, hasty and ill-conceived testimony to two legislative points finger at a mess. the project, run by the giant implementation of policy hearings that examined the Rauner consulting company Deloitte, changes has significantly crisis. which has had poor outcomes increased the incidence of In addition to highlight- A stinging new state audit in many other states and is inmate and youth assaults on ing the dedication of the raises big red flags about how even being sued as a result of staff. nearly 350 union members the governor has mishandled and pocket the money. their performance. Now three more recent who work at the home and the state’s Medicaid managed Case in point: In 2012, After years of delay, the examples further showcase advocating against closure of care program. the last time this process new computer program was Rauner’s failures as governor. the facility, AFSCME’s testi- Last year, Rauner was was done, the state recov- put in place—despite warn- mony focused on the Rauner pushing to further privatize ered nearly $22 million from ings from AFSCME members Crisis at Quincy administration’s harmful lack the program. He ushered insurers. The auditor also that the state was launching Veterans’ Home of transparency. in Illinois’ largest procure- found duplicate payments and the program before it was The Department of Vet- ment ever—worth an esti- a deficiency of critical data ready. As a result, tens of After three years of erans’ Affairs consistently mated $60 billion over four collection throughout the thousands of families were Legionnaires disease out- refused to share information years—with six new insurers. program. breaks due to persistent pres- with employees or the union Because of the immensity of Rauner touted this mas- Continued on next page

Gov. Rauner’s administration has been under fire for mismanagement of the health crisis at the Quincy Veterans’ Home, where Legionnaires disease outbreaks have stricken residents and employees. January-February 2018 On the Move 11

Bruce Rauner’s top priority if he’s re-elected: Crushing unions HE TOLD THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE...

[I’m] counting on the courts to give [ME] several "transformative" wins over organized labor.

He’s referring to Janus v. AFSCME, a case Rauner initiated and calls his own. It’s a scheme to rob unions of resources and take away our freedom to join together in strong unions.

If we win, it will transform state government, local government and school districts, I will be able to have thousands of employees not be in the union.

[I mean to] change the power structure in Illinois and across America.”

Rauner’s idea of “changing the power structure” is taking power away from working people and giving it to his fellow millionaires and billionaires.

Rauner wants to divide us, but if every member recommits to our union, we can turn back his attacks and stay AFSCME Strong!

the new system, verifications When customers brought the “Everybody’s learning the MISMANAGEMENT for hundreds of thousands necessary documents to their new system, but the problem Continued from previous page stamps you’re approved for of cases are sent to a central local DHS office to get their is we’re learning on the backs one year, but you have to location staffed by a handful food assistance restored, staff of poor people,” AFSCME dropped from SNAP, losing resubmit your paperwork of people. And the system that had to hand-convert each case Local 2808 President Von- their food assistance right at six months to ensure was supposed to file those onto the new system before ceil Metts told the Chicago before the holidays through you’re still eligible,” Gladson documents was not working they could restore benefits. Tribune. no fault of their own. explained. “If your paperwork properly. As a result, 40,000 That meant office waiting Yet Rauner doesn’t seem Lori Gladson, president isn’t there in time, you’re cut people had no funds available rooms were overflowing with to learn a lesson. Instead of of AFSCME Local 51, said that off.” when they went to buy food angry customers. paying more attention to the the state should have had a She said that individ- for their families. Workers have asked for basic functions of state gov- lot more input from frontline uals used to submit their Moreover, DHS had numerous technical fixes to ernment, he’s obsessed with staff before going forward paperwork to the local office, apparently not factored in the streamline the system and for anti-worker attacks. Hurt- with the premature October where a caseworker would time needed to fix problems ongoing, on-the-job training ing workers is clearly more 2017 launch date. immediately enter the data that resulted when cases were as the new system is constant- important to Rauner than “If you receive food so aid would continue. But in moved from the old system. ly reconfigured to fix glitches. doing his job. 12 On the Move January-February 2018

ON THE LOCAL LEVEL

Members of the Local 1028 Bargaining Committee: Recording Secretary Cynthia Solomon-Rogers, Vice President Sherry Williams, President Dave Delrose (standing), Ken Swanson, and Council 31 Staff Representative Jeff Dexter.

This agreement is the over the life of the agreement. Delrose said. “I think our hard Will County largest of the six contracts “We anticipated that work and sacrifice over the New union local wins first affecting Local 1028 members. management would come in years helped us achieve that.” members win It’s always negotiated first with more demands on health The bargaining committee contract since and generally sets the wage insurance, since that was their was led by AFSCME Council 31 first contract 2013 strike increases and health insurance big demand last time,” Delrose Staff Representative Jeff Dex- plans for the others. said. “But they were much ter and included President Del- Two years after organiz- More than 500 members The bargaining committee more willing to compromise. rose, John Bilecki, Rick Breen, ing a union with AFSCME, of AFSCME Local 1028 won a secured a 10-percent wage I think they understood after Mark Colewell, Kelly Christo- Indian Oaks Academy employ- new five-year contract that will increase over the five-year the strike that we weren’t pher, Eric Fasbender, Becky ees have won their first union establish economic terms for agreement, plus a $500 sign- going to walk away from the Gilliam, Traci Jasper, Kim contract. nearly all Will County employ- ing bonus. Members will incre- table with our members taking Stephanski, Teri Riney, Caro- “It felt really good to ees. mentally increase contribu- a loss. We want to come out lyn Thomas, Dedra Thompson, be able to sit down at the In 2013, management tions to their health insurance ahead.” J. P. Rasmussen, Christopher table with management and had refused to offer fair wages premiums from the current 10 The bargaining committee Rios, Cynthia Rodgers, Tim hash out the things that we or back off a plan to double percent to 15 percent by 2021. also won improvements in the Sellars, Cynthia Soloman-Rog- want,” said Fred Turner, a employee health care costs They also added a third health dental plan, increased uniform ers, Ken Swanson, Anna senior counselor to juvenile after 15 months of negotia- care plan option, a health sav- allowance and increased bilin- Wallace, Sherry Williams and sex offenders at the facility tions. So in November of that ings account, which will not gual pay. Minda Williamson. and a member of the bargain- year—just before Thanksgiv- see any contribution increase “We got a very fair deal,” ing committee. “They never ing—1,200 employees in the thought it would come to that, county court system, health I don’t think.” department, highway depart- But it did. AFSCME filed ment, Sunny Hill Nursing multiple unfair labor practices Home, county jail, and in the charges against the agency, offices of the sheriff, coroner, which is owned by the out-of- recorder, assessor, clerk, chief state parent company Nexus. judge, circuit clerk, executive Management attempted to and state’s attorney went on impose health insurance cost strike for 16 days. increases before a contract was This time around, negotia- in place and the union success- tions were completed in about fully stopped that through the eight months. labor board. “It was very good to be The new contract provides able to reach an agreement for retroactive raises of three without having to go down percent for 2016 and between that road again,” said David 2.5 and 4.5% for 2017, with Delrose, president of the another three-percent raise local and a behavioral health across the board in 2018. The counselor in the county’s bargaining committee also mental health program for 29 secured a higher starting rate years. “We were thoroughly for new hires. prepared to do that, but the Now 125 members of employer seemed to be very AFSCME Local 893A can motivated as well to avoid that enjoy fundamental workers’ possibility.” Members of AFSCME Local 1028 in Will County went on strike in 2013 after months of negotiations. rights and the protections of January-February 2018 On the Move 13

Nationwide Moment of Silence

On February 1, AFSCME members across the country observed a moment of silence in honor of two sanitation workers who were killed in Memphis 50 years ago. Dozens of Council 31 local union members joined the tribute in cities and worksites across Illinois (pictured, right: Locals 2226, 2813, 1669, 2081, 1175, 674 and 2645). Memphis sanitation workers Echol Cole and Robert Walker sought shelter from a storm in the back of their truck on February 1, 1968. They were tragically crushed to death by the truck’s faulty compacter. Their deaths sparked a strike of more than 1,000 sanitation workers, members of AFSCME Local 1733, which drew national attention in the midst of the civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King came to Memphis to support the strike and was assassinated there a day after giving his historic “Mountaintop” address to the strikers and their families. AFSCME members are carrying on their struggle for justice today.

Learn more at Iam2018.org

a union contract, including would let people go whenever improve services by reducing 100 hours. labor-management meetings, a they felt like it. Now we have a staff turnover. Deputies, court “We felt pretty happy grievance procedure, just cause voice in the decisions that they “To see a kid actually come security weather with our agreement,” Rinehart requirement for terminations, make and it will be better for from nothing and make some- said. “We have a good contract layoff recall rights, protections everybody all around, the staff thing out of life, that’s what fiscal storm already and they didn’t ask against subcontracting and and the youth too.” it’s all about,” Turner said. “As for any kind of give-backs or more. Turner and his co-work- a counselor, I can help some- Despite a challenging increases in our health insur- “We didn’t have a voice or ers are dedicated to the youth body better their life when financial situation in Randolph ance premiums. Overall we got a say-so, and now we do,” said they serve. That’s a big part of they thought they didn’t even County, sheriff’s deputies a decent raise and we’ll go back Turner. “After 24 years, I’ve why they wanted to organize have a chance. That feels really and court security officers of this fall and see what we can seen how they treat staff. They a union in the first place, to good.” AFSCME Local 2402 were able do for next year.” to negotiate a fair two-year Rinehart feels that Ran- agreement. dolph County Sheriff Shannon “Our county currently has Wolff understands the value a slew of financial issues and of his employees and tries to they are in a bad way,” said work with them to create a Local 2402 member Shane positive relationship. Rinehart. “With that in mind, The sheriff agrees: we really sat down and put our “AFSCME has always worked heads together.” with management to provide The bargaining team of the best possible working Rinehart and Rich Tooley—led conditions and working envi- by AFSCME Council 31 Staff ronment for Randolph County Representative Patricia Rens- employees,” Wolff said. ing—worked with the board Rinehart comes from a and agreed to a two-year con- family of police officers. His tract. The union members will father and brother are in law receive a 2.5% wage increase enforcement, and his son is at in the first year and negotiate the police academy. again with a wage reopener in “We are a service-minded year two. family,” said Rinehart, who In addition to the raise, has served for nearly 26 years. the team was able to increase “From the time I was a small the amount of comp time child that’s what I wanted to they can accumulate and use do. It’s always been who I am.” Chief Deputy Jared Peters and Sheriff Shannon Wolff with Local 2402 bargaining team members Shane Rinehardt and Rich Tooley. in a year, from 80 hours to 14 On the Move January-February 2018

SHORT REPORTS

said. “Unfortunately, despite In its initial charge and year in Illinois, but union even further. While the new Rauner appeals the court’s ruling, he is its appeal, AFSCME pointed membership dropped in the tax system will give relief to on step unrelenting in refusing to out that state law prevents bordering states of Indiana, some middle class families, it honor the law.” either party to a collective Iowa, Kentucky and Missouri. will give the largest tax breaks increases The state pay plan and bargaining agreement from So-called “right-to-work” to wealthy individuals. And collective bargaining agree- making unilateral changes (RTW) laws have had a nega- the new tax code is really just On Dec. 12, Gov. Bruce ments provide for state to the terms and conditions tive impact in what used to be a “bait and switch” scheme: Rauner’s administration employees to progress via step of employment while a new a union-heavy area of the U.S. The cuts that are available for asked the Illinois Supreme increases after being hired. agreement is being negotiat- Iowa has long been an RTW individuals are temporary, Court to consider an appeal But Rauner’s Department of ed, and requires employers to state and recently Indiana and while the corporate tax cuts of a lower court ruling that Central Management Services maintain the status quo. Kentucky have joined that are locked in place. step increases must be paid to (CMS) has blocked employees “[T]here is no dispute shameful club. In Illinois, the income state employees. from progressing through that the step increases are a Missouri’s Republi- gap is fed by the state’s flat When Rauner froze the the pay plan’s steps when the term or condition of employ- can-controlled legislature income tax rate. With a flat steps in July 2015—backed union’s most recent contract ment, and there is no real and governor passed a RTW tax, struggling middle class up by the Illinois Labor Rela- was scheduled to expire. question that [the Rauner law last year, but more than families pay the same per- tions Board (ILRB)—AFSCME The appellate court’s administration] made a uni- 300,000 Missourians signed centage of their income in filed suit in state court. decision reverses the Raun- lateral decision to withhold petitions demanding a pub- taxes as billionaires like Bruce On Nov. 6 a panel of three er-appointed labor board’s the step increases during lic vote to repeal the new Rauner. judges in the fifth appellate dismissal of the union’s negotiations,” the court law, effectively blocking its That’s why AFSCME sup- district court unanimously charge that the administra- found. “… [T]he ILRB’s find- implementation. ports a fair tax structure in ruled in AFSCME’s favor, find- tion had committed an unfair ing that CMS did not commit RTW laws have one goal: Illinois. A graduated income ing that Rauner is violating labor practice by blocking an unfair labor practice was Drain unions of resources so tax could cut taxes for 90 per- state labor law by refusing step progression through the clearly erroneous.” that working people won’t cent of families and still raise to allow thousands of state pay plan. have a powerful voice in deci- more revenue than our cur- workers to move as scheduled “We’re very pleased that sions that affect their lives. rent flat tax. A fair tax would through the state pay plan the court has found that the Illinois is In RTW states, workers narrow the ever-widening gap over the past two years. governor is violating the law,” union strong are paid $6,109 less annu- between working families and “Illegally denying steps Lynch said after the ruling. ally than workers in states the ultra-wealthy. to the newest-hired and “This is money that working Illinois stands out in the that uphold the right to have lower-paid state employees people were promised when Midwest, adding more union strong unions. Also, workers fits Bruce Rauner’s pattern they were hired, money they members in 2017 than four of in RTW states have lower ALEC spreads of anti-worker behavior,” have earned and are counting its neighboring states. rates of health care coverage to city halls AFSCME Council 31 Execu- on to help support their fami- More than 15,000 work- and pay larger shares of their tive Director Roberta Lynch lies and pay their bills.” ers joined union ranks last health insurance premiums. The right-wing American Legislative Exchange Coun- cil (ALEC) is a membership Billionaires organization of state legis- could end lators funded by the Koch brothers and powerful cor- poverty—seven porate interests. The conser- vative group has provided times over model legislation for states Oxfam International to undercut workers’ rights released a shocking report for decades. on global income inequali- Now, with the establish- ty on January 22. In 2017, ment of the American City the world’s billionaires County Exchange, ALEC has a made a stunning $462 bil- new local government arm. lion: enough money to end The group is urging state extreme poverty globally legislators to overrule county seven times over. governments and city coun- The report also found cils by prohibiting them from that just 42 super-rich indi- passing tax increases or rais- viduals hold as much wealth ing their local minimum wage. as 3.7 billion poor people, and It’s also spurred passage that 82 percent of new global of legislation in local govern- wealth went to the top one ments to prohibit automatic percent. paycheck deduction of union This growing gap between dues. the rich and poor is a global “We’ve had to battle and local trend. In the Unit- ALEC initiatives in the Illinois ed States it’s aided by unfair General Assembly for more tax policies at the state and than a decade,” said AFSCME national levels. Council 31 Legislative Direc- The new GOP tax package tor Joanna Webb-Gauvin. pushed by the Trump Admin- “Now we will have to be on istration gives a big, perma- the watch for its anti-union nent tax cut to corporations, measures in city councils and and tips the scales toward the county boards too.” country’s wealthiest people January-February 2018 On the Move 15

RETIREE NOTES

to pay a portion of what was By removing this clause, owed state employees in back state legislators would be free wages. In April 2016, AFSCME to make changes to already successfully lobbied inclusion existing pensions, which of back pay in SB 2046, one of could include a reduction or the budget bills that were sent elimination of cost of living to the governor’s desk that adjustments and changes to year. Rauner vetoed SB 2046 retiree health care benefits. in July 2016. Ives supports a move to “I am a former state 401(k)-style retirement plans employee that has been retired for all current retirees receiv- for more than three years,” ing a public pension, which said Sub-chapter 76 member would take away their risk-ad- Jeffery Stahl. “It’s hard not to verse defined benefit plan. think about what is still owed Rauner has been push- me after all this time.” ing the same kind of pension reduction schemes, demon- strating that there’s little Two peas difference between these two in a pod? candidates on key issues of importance to senior citizens. Republicans have a guberna- “These attacks, on a torial primary race this year, mutually agreed upon benefit but it’s not one that offers that I also paid into, make me a real choice. Jeanne Ives, a feel like a pawn,” Sub-chapter state representative from the 86 President Kim Johnson 42nd District, is running for said. “I did what I was sup- governor in the GOP primary posed to do while at work and against Gov. Bruce Rauner. I expected to be treated fairly. Rauner has already proven The state needs to stand up himself a sworn enemy of labor to their contractual obliga- unions. His one overriding goal tions and find other areas of is to wipe out unions in our revenue.” state. And he’s made clear his intent to carry that crusade forward into a second term. AFSCME retirees If elected governor, Ives gear up for 2018 plans to push a constitutional amendment removing the Sub-chapter meetings are pension protection clause being held across Illinois in and destroying pension pro- 2018! Stay informed, meet tections for retirees. The like-minded retirees and voice Illinois Constitution currently your opinions about issues states that “membership in affecting you and your com- any pension or retirement munity. With 35 sub-chapters system of the State, any unit across the state, you’ll be sure of local government or school to find one close to your home- AFSCME Chapter 31 Retirees gathered in Springfield on Jan. 27 to vote on the union’s legislative agenda and electoral endorsements. district, or any agency or town. vetoed, House Bill 1424, pro- many state retirees. Senate instrumentality thereof, shall Find a meeting near you. Rauner vetoes tected 80,000 seniors in the Bill 2269 is sponsored by Sen. be an enforceable contractual Visit afscme31.org/retirees or bill protecting Community Care Program from Andy Manar (D) and Sen. Sam relationship, the benefits of call Kate Morthland, AFSCME’s massive cuts and scaled back McCann (R); Rep. Jerry Costel- which shall not be diminished Retiree Program Coordinator at senior services care. Rauner vetoed it. lo sponsors House Bill 4290. or impaired.” 217-788-2800. Rauner said in his veto In 2011, the state failed Gov. Bruce Rauner message that the Department to pay a negotiated wage vetoed a bill over the recent of Aging’s Community Pro- increase, citing lack of appro- holiday season that would gram Task Service is currently priated funds. AFSCME took protect the integrity of the working on solutions to reduce the matter to arbitration and Community Care Program, a costs. In other words, his real an independent arbitrator program that gives financial concern is not meeting the ruled that the union contract assistance to seniors and dis- needs of senior citizens, but was binding and the increase ARE YOU A RETIRED STATE abled persons wishing to stay cutting budgets. must be paid. But the state in their homes. appealed the arbitrator’s deci- EMPLOYEE OWED BACK PAY? Before senior service and sion to state court. disability advocates won the AFSCME fights After a very lengthy legal Support SB 2269 and HB 4290 battle to fund the Community for back pay battle, the Illinois Supreme to pay all wages owed. Care Program in the fiscal year Court ruled that the wages 2017-18 budget, Rauner tried AFSCME’s legislative team were indeed owed, but a legis- Call 888-912-5959 and to cut $120 million from the is building support for bills lative appropriation is needed. urge your legislators to vote YES! program. that would fund the remain- AFSCME won inclusion of $50 The measure Rauner ing back pay still owed to million in the FY 2015 budget Heidi Schwarz AFSCME Local 698 LAB ANIMAL CARETAKER, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE & VETERINARY TEACHING HOSPITAL

Tell us about your job. I work at the large animal clinic at Uni- versity of Illinois’ College of Veterinary Medicine. I’m classified as a lab animal caretaker, but actually work with farm animals, including horses, cows, sheep, pigs, goats, llamas and alpacas. Due to the fact that we have a large facility and large surgeries, we also work with exotic animals from circuses and zoos, like cam- els, tigers and zebras. Day to day, I clean the animals’ hous- ing, groom them, feed them and help restrain them when necessary. We have our own herd of horses and cows, so I also bring them in for classes and teach- ing labs. Students learn how to handle and care for the animals, administer med- ications and perform procedures.

How does your job serve the community? We’re a working veterinary clinic so we “We have a lot of clients from the community have a lot of clients from the community bring their animals to us for care.” bring their animals to us for care. We con- duct open houses and workshops that are drop me off at eight in the morning and they’re so pleased with the care their open to the public with lectures, demon- have to call me at eight at night to see if animals get from us. strations and networking. I was ready to come home yet. It was so fun as a kid to do something like that. I “I know the union is really enjoyed spending my time with the How does the union animals and it kept me out of trouble. improve your job and the fighting for us.” services you provide? What’s your inspiration to The union has helped me since I started work hard every day? here 14 years ago. I’ve been a member How did you become an I love horses. I always say if you want to and an officer. Of course, there are prob- animal caretaker? relieve stress, grab a brush and groom lems with our governor and not getting I’m originally from the Chicago south a horse. Some people might not like the raises, and that’s hurting, but I know the suburbs and I came here when I went to dirty work, but I find it relaxing. union is fighting for us. Parkland College. I went through their Patients’ families get upset that their It’s great having the backing of the equine management program and got animal is so far away from home and union. Right now I’m going through the pro- my certificate. sick or injured. It’s a huge comfort to cess of getting a job audit to show that the I’ve been around horses since I was 12 them to know that we are taking care work I do goes beyond my title’s descrip- years old. I’d go and volunteer at different of it just as well as they would at home. tion. And the union is my advocate, helping stables to get free riding. My mom would They send thank you letters because me through a very stressful process.