Rauner: 'No lockout' of state employees
Gov. Bruce Rauner said that despite his ongoing impasse in bargaining with the state's largest employee union, he won't lock out workers.
Rauner and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union have extended their talks twice, now agreeing to avoid a strike until at least the end of next month.
Rauner said Wednesday that under "no circumstances" would he refuse to allow employees to work.
"If I wanted to do a lockout of AFSCME, I would have already done it," Rauner said.
"Put it in writing. No lockout. I have no interest in that whatsoever," Rauner said. "I hope we don't have to take a strike. I do not want that, but I don't control it."
The union responded quickly.
"The governor's actions have not matched his words," spokesman Anders Lindall said. "Even if there is no lockout, Gov. Rauner could try to impose his extreme demands and force employees to strike in response."
Democratic lawmakers could consider in the coming weeks trying to override Rauner's veto of legislation that would ban a strike or lockout during Rauner's term in office and send contract talks to an arbitrator.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, said his party has enough support to override Rauner. The Senate could try Aug. 19, the same day as Republicans' day at the Illinois State Fair.
The two sides remain far apart, as evidenced by the tough talk traded about that legislation.
AFSCME Council 31 executive director Roberta Lynch last week said the veto "sends a disturbing message about his commitment to reaching fair contract terms with the unions representing public service workers in state government."
Rauner today called the plan he vetoed a "direct frontal assault on the taxpayers of Illinois."
The contract talks are separate from the impasse between Rauner and lawmakers over state spending. There is no comprehensive plan to finish the state budget being discussed as the state has entered its second month without a spending plan.