Editorial: AFSCME, Rauner and Illinois' mandate for change

It's been convenient for critics of Gov. Bruce Rauner, and particularly for leaders of some of the public employee unions, to characterize him as an anti-union boogeyman. For his part, Rauner probably hasn't always minced his words as diplomatically as he could.

And as tensions grew last week in negotiations over a new labor contract with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the words AFSCME Local 31 used to describe Rauner's merit pay proposal were predictably inflammatory.

"The Rauner Administration's latest scheme would allow the governor's political appointees to reward chosen employees based on their own subjective criteria," the statement prepared by the state's largest public employee union charged. "This Rauner plan would open the door to cronyism and favoritism."

There are ominous signs as these seemingly endless negotiations stumble toward apparent collapse. Rauner's administration hinted of going to the Illinois Labor Relations Board. The union, which refuses to acknowledge an impasse even though there's been no discernible movement on either side after weeks of talks, could respond by suing or even by striking, something the state employees have never done.

But let's all take a breath for a moment.

First, keep in mind that it seems to be a law of nature that labor-management compromise rarely tends to be reached shy of the brink.

Second, as to the complaint that Rauner's plan would "open the door to cronyism and favoritism," really? This is Illinois. The doors already are wide open. The only ones that are closed are the ones to the smoke-filled rooms.

Finally, while it is effective for union leadership to rally the membership by trying to cast Rauner as some sort of Illinois version of Scott Walker, the evidence doesn't support the caricature.

Nor does Illinois' political environment provide Rauner with the power that Wisconsin's provides Walker. The only way he would ever conceivably get it would be if adversaries like AFSCME fail to be reasonable.

There is no doubt that Rauner and AFSCME differ significantly.

But if the proposal the governor has promoted to AFSCME is so draconian to state employees, why have 17 other unions including the Teamsters been able to use it as the basis for agreements?

It should be remembered that Rauner wasn't elected in a state that leans heavily Democratic because of a charming smile and a clever political strategy.

He was elected because of a simple truth: Illinois has become a state of disrepair. Just last week, another report came out showing people fleeing in droves.

This much should be clear: We can't repair ourselves with the status quo.

Does that mean AFSCME should sign a contract giving Rauner everything he wants? No, but it does mean that AFSCME, like everyone else, has to start looking at things differently.

And to collaborate in protecting the state as well as its members.