Union members call out Quinn at rally

Members of a state employee union are calling on Gov. Pat Quinn for fair collective bargaining and employment practices.

Roughly 100 members of a local chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees chanted inside a state government building in downtown Chicago where Quinn has an office. Some held signs reading “Gov. Quinn Keep Your Promise.”

Tuesday’s protest comes the day ahead of Quinn’s annual State of the State speech, where he’s expected to talk about Illinois’ pension crisis.

Quinn has been locked in several battles with AFSCME. The union opposes efforts to reduce their retirement benefits and increase their health insurance costs, which have been a central theme on pension talks.

Also, the union is angry that Quinn withheld pay raises provided by the last contract.