Union agrees not to strike for a month after contract ends
Negotiations on a contract with Illinois' largest public employee union will continue without the possibility of a strike or lockout for one month after the contract runs out on Tuesday.
Gov. Bruce Rauner's office announced the agreement Thursday with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31.
The idea is to let both sides negotiate in July without the threat of disruption of public services. The statement says "all legal and contractual" rights will be preserved.
"Today AFSCME Council 31 and the governor's office reached an agreement that precludes the possibility of a strike or lockout for a one-month period after the state's collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Council 31 expires on June 30," it said.
The agreement "allows both sides to continue to negotiate during the month of July without the threat of disruption to important public services," the statement said.
The negotiations come amid an impasse over the state budget. Rauner has vetoed most of the spending plan, which some Democrats say means starting over close to the July 1 fiscal year.
AFSCME represents roughly 36,000 state workers.