Labor Day festivities were toned down for politicians across much of Illinois as State officials try to avoid up to 2,600 layoffs in the coming months.
Ongoing negotiations with AFSCME broke down late last week as Union officials stated they could not accept the concessions state officials were asking for. According to AFSCME, the state had hoped to renegotiate the current bargaining agreement with up too a 15% reduction in pay. However, union officials cited that even with the concession, they were informed that 1,000 state employees would still face layoffs. As a result, AFSCME officials walked away from the table, leaving Illinois Governor Quinn to find new solutions.
Illinois' newest Governor is in the worst possible position in terms of being forced to layoff state employees. Within the past 8 years, incentives for early retirements along with ongoing hiring freezes have reduced the number of state employees by 25%. As a result, Governor Quinn is in a position whereas new layoffs could critically impair the ability of some state agencies to carry out their functions. On the other hand, with state budget & labor negotiations at a stalemate, the Governor may have no other choice.
A short decade ago, government employment was at an all-time high and the State maintained a balanced budget. However, years of irresponsible spending that has outpaced growth in tax revenue has led to 9 years without a balanced budget in the Illinois.
Employees of the State of Illinois are hopeful that the Labor Day Holiday served as a reminder of the responsibility that AFSCME and State officials have to return to the negotiating table and attempt to work out a deal that will minimize the effects of both concessions and layoffs.
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