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Illinois Lawmakers Push Rauner to Resume Union Negotiations

Henryk Sadura
/
123rf Stock Photo

Nearly three dozen Illinois legislators from both parties are asking Republican Governor Bruce Rauner to resume contract negotiations with the state's largest public-employee union. 

The lawmakers said Wednesday the issue is crucial to the struggling state. Decatur Democratic Representative Sue Scherer says "nothing happens if you're not at the table."

Rauner ended talks last winter with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees state council. A state labor board sided with Rauner in November that talks were at an ‘impasse.’ That means the governor can impose his terms.

He did that a second time Wednesday in announcing an employee drug and alcohol testing plan. AFSCME says in a statement it will talk.

Rauner spokeswoman Catherine Kelly says the two sides should cooperate on implementing the governor's provisions.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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