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* Mark Maxwell…
Governor J.B. Pritzker plans to offer pay raises, more time off work, enhanced family leave and a cash stipend to offset “financial hardship” state workers endured under the administration of his Republican predecessor, according to a copy of the Pritzker administration’s contract offer.
The one-time stipend of $2,500 will “be paid upon ratification of the agreement.” Union members will qualify for a quarter of the stipend so long as they worked one calendar day in any of the prior four years.
The new contract assures newer members they will continue to receive “step increases,” or automatic pay raises.
All members will see a pay raise of 1.5% on January 1, 2020, another pay raise of 2.1% on July 1, 2020, on July 1, 2021, a pay raise of 3.95%, and on July 1, 2022, a pay raise of 3.95%.
By 2022, the average state employee would see his or her annual salary jump from $59,679 up to $66,827 for an average net increase of more than $7,000.
Each worker’s increased contribution to the state’s health insurance program would cost roughly $624 to $864 extra each year.
I also just obtained the full document handed out to AFSCME members this week. Click here.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:28 pm
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J.B. on that Oprah plan
Comment by Da Lobsta Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:29 pm
Strengthening employee privacy rights is a good thing. Didn’t the IPI somehow get hold of state employee addresses, phone numbers, etc.?
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:40 pm
Looking fwd to those legislative staff pay raises if the slop is just flying around
Comment by hot chocolate Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:41 pm
Real nice. Love the stipend for suffering under Rauner and his idiotic war. Congratulations to all the hard work, dedication and tenacity of AFSCME members and leaders, for withstanding and beating the union-hating governor and his supporters. Rauner and other super-rich have been having boom economic times, but he and others wanted to gouge those earning so much less than them.
The union looks real good now, and this upcoming contract is very strong evidence of success. The IPI’s latest AFSCME-busting mailer effort is almost irrelevant now. The union has something great to sell to workers.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:44 pm
2015 0%, 2016 0%, 2017 0%, 2018 0%, 2019 0%, 2020 3.6%, 2021 3.95%, 2022 3.95%.
Average increase over 8 years, 1.43%
Comment by Johnnie F. Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:44 pm
Did not know IL had this kind of money
Comment by California Guy Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:46 pm
So employees have to wait two years to get a raise that beats inflation, and as a thank you, have to pay more for insurance?
Womp womp.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:46 pm
Sorry if I don’t cry so much for state employees who have a very nice pension plan and health care. Try looking at salary increases for the average staff who works with the disabled in Illinois and then look at their health insurance and the lack of any pension plan. I’ll cheer for the state employees when the local agency staff get parity of salary and benefits for essentially the same work.
Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:47 pm
Where is one getting that average insurance cost increase for employees? From the information handed out, that seems too high
Comment by Seats Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:49 pm
A State Employee Guy, state employee premiums haven’t changed since the last contract was signed. As the cost went up over the years the state just kept eating a bigger piece of it. Employees were always going to have to chip in more, just to get back to where they were (percentage wise) when the contract was last signed. It looks like employees got everything they wanted and gave up precisely 0. Complaining is not a good look when you win by knockout.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:49 pm
I am quite sure Rauner is somewhere stomping his feet.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:49 pm
A State Employee Guy - as someone who both is wildly supportive of raises for state employees and who also hasn’t had a raise myself in years, please slow your roll. This is a very reasonable solution being proposed by the governor with lots of wins for state workers. Health care costs go up for everyone, every year.
Comment by lakeside Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:51 pm
“So employees have to wait two years to get a raise that beats inflation, and as a thank you, have to pay more for insurance?”
Compare these terms to Rauner’s terms and horrible treatment. A world of difference.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:51 pm
==I am quite sure Rauner is somewhere stomping his feet.==
One can only hope.
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:53 pm
So an honest question. I understand the Supreme Court has ruled that retiree health insurance obligations can’t be reduced, just like pensions. But why haven’t they stopped the retiree health insurance for new employees, like a Tier 2 for retiree health insurance?
Comment by Smalls Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:54 pm
Didn’t take long for the leak to occur.
Comment by Glengarry Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:54 pm
A State Employment Guy - Are you kidding me? If Rauner won we would still be fighting in court hoping he couldn’t find a judge to allow him a reduction to our income.
Comment by Seats Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:55 pm
It’s not just an increase to the premium. It’s an increase to the premium, AND the health deductible, AND prescription drug deductible, AND OPM, AND hospitalization deductible.
Also, lakeshore, re: pay increases: you’re going to get a big fat retro check for steps in a few months. Plus interest.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:57 pm
Compared to the huge health insurance increases and the paltry pay raises under Quinn, this contract is quite good.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 3:58 pm
Also the health insurance increase depends on your plan and your salary. In fact, one plan had a dollar premium decrease for low salary workers.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:01 pm
“Compared to the huge health insurance increases and the paltry pay raises under Quinn, this contract is quite good.”
Some people let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and then all lose. That’s Raunerism—why he wouldn’t do compromises on his own non-budget items like workers comp and property tax reform.
The state has massive debt, and state workers will be helping but not in ways that will severely jack up their costs. Rauner wanted a 60/40 split on health insurance, which is atrocious. He wanted zero COLA increases and frozen step pay increases, as well as free rein to privatize.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:07 pm
I suppose the stipend is not pensionable?
Comment by Al Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:07 pm
“Union members will qualify for a quarter of the stipend so long as they worked one calendar day in any of the prior four years.” Question - will the stipend come from the agency, even if the employee is no longer there? If the employee is retired, will it come from SERS?
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:13 pm
@A State Employee Guy: Don’t be Rauner, learn how to take a win.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:15 pm
Does anyone know if the non-union employees are going to get any compensation? That $2500 at $5000 would be a good start.
If not, I do not see how management will not be flocking to union jobs.
Comment by I Miss Bentohs Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:18 pm
Was this figured in the nearly balanced budget?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:18 pm
Has the threshold for “win” really become “better than Rauner?”
Labor needs a revitalization.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:19 pm
==If the employee is retired, will it come from SERS? ==
SERS can only pay benefits provided in the Pension Code, so it won’t be coming from SERS
Comment by The Original Name/Nickname/Anon Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:23 pm
More time off? It wasn’t explained, does anyone know?
Comment by Nora Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:23 pm
== lakeshore==
If that’s for me, nope, I won’t. I work in the private sector, where wages are largely stagnant and some people have insane deductibles, etc (I am lucky in that regard).
I am so excited you guys got what Rauner denied you and that it seems like there will be a fair contract in place. Please take the win and don’t lose your hat over $13/month when Rauner wanted you to pay WAY more.
Comment by lakeside Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:25 pm
Nice
Hope you remember all us poor retirees living on our fixed incomes , when we belly up to the bar next to you after we hear those stipends were paid.
JK Take a breath , the bad man is gone.
Comment by work in progress Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:26 pm
-Anyone Rember-
Kind of curious myself. Retired in December because of managements ineptitude under Rainer.
All these raises have me wishing I had stuck around to get to that 20 years of service—NOT!!! Lol
Comment by UseToKnow Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:26 pm
I don’t see how retirees would qualify for the stipend if they retired before the contract was ratified. The contract does say current bargaining unit employees.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:28 pm
===I suppose the stipend is not pensionable?===
It is. Had they called it a bonus, it would not county toward pensions. But a stipend counts toward a pension.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:28 pm
===I suppose the stipend is not pensionable?===
No, it’s not.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:29 pm
===More time off? It wasn’t explained, does anyone know?===
You could try reading the link in Rich’s post.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:30 pm
Has the threshold for “win” really become “better than Rauner?” You know, I remember watching the news some years ago, and there were about 5 stories in a row like “Government pledges [Some number of million dollars] for [Some economic stimulus.]” And every one of them followed with “[So and so] says it’s not good enough.” You’re being one of those people. We didn’t get shafted, and we didn’t get nothing. I count that as a win.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:30 pm
I saw a copy yesterday. The health insurance is better than some are portraying. $20 or less per month increase over each contract year is reasonable given where medical expenses have been going.
Can’t find that page at the moment but I believe I read the total out of pocket cap was actually reduced a bit; that is good if you have lots of medical expenses.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:31 pm
===More time off?===
Maternity/Paternity leave increased to 10 weeks w/pay. Bereavement leave up to two days per yr. for death of an immediate family member.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:33 pm
will MC staff ever get a raise?
Comment by mc Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:35 pm
Stipend is pensionable and increased time off is specific to an increase in maternity leave.
Comment by Just A Dude Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:36 pm
A fair deal. Employees are sharing some of the burden of the ever increasing healthcare costs, but they also get a series of raises that will help keep them up with inflation and private sector wage growth. The last two years will likely be above the private sector wage growth, but this is offset by the smaller raises in the first two years of the contract and the lack of raises over the last four years. My guess is that at the end of the year contract, state employees will be behind where they were four years ago compared to both inflation and private sector wage growth, but given the finances of the State, that’s not unreasonable.
Comment by Pelonski Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:46 pm
There is still 6 billion in unpaid state bills due to vendors. This only compounds that problem.
Comment by What About Vendors? Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:48 pm
To add to what Just A Dude said, it also adds two days bereavement leave in addition to the use of sick time for such matters.
Overall, it’s a good contract. Increases for medical were going to have to happen. The stpiden is nice and helps address the 0% COLAs over the last 4 years. And the raises are not astronomical like some are portraying. The best part for me, though? IPI or anyone else being able to get employees private information. Very glad that loophole will be closed.
Comment by Fixer Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:50 pm
Monthly premium increase for family HMO medical will be $112 by contracts end, along side deductibles and co-pay increases each year. It is good contract.
Comment by Johnnie F. Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:55 pm
Whether the stipend is pensionable depends on how its paid out. Salary and overtime are pensionable. While other paid items like interest on backpay and travel pay are not pensionable. If the stipend is treated like combat pay, it won’t be pensionable.
Comment by A Jack Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:57 pm
My brother’s wife was a state employee and passed away in the early 1990’s. My brother has completely free health care since then and forever in the future.
Comment by Mockingjay Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 4:59 pm
They said stipend was pensionable.
Comment by Sickntired Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:02 pm
“They said stipend was pensionable.”
Not sure who “they” are, but a high ranking union rep made it very clear to those in attendance at the contract ratification meeting that the stipend was not pensionable.
Comment by Tired of Both Parties Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:11 pm
From the comments here, it’s clear many of you should have attended the meetings to get the information about what all this means.
This is a good contract and a clear win for AFSCME members who told Rauner to stuff it.
Comment by MG85 Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:12 pm
‘AnyoneRemember and UseToKnow,
I too retired almost three years ago, for after 30+ years and then surviving through Blago, Quinn and barely under Rauner, I didn’t think I would make it another six months. Never got my STEP increase like everyone else. And like so many was glad to be out but I would love to learn what, if and when we might see what was owed as it seems to be now on its way to being settled for current staff.
Congrats to all involved on finally settling this matter.
Comment by LINK Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:16 pm
Union president, vp, and union rep from afscme said pensionable
Comment by Sickntired Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:22 pm
I wonder if other state employee unions (e.g., SEIU) will ask for similar concessions, including the increased time off, when they start their contract negotiations in other agencies (including other constitutional officers such as Secretary of State).
Comment by Leatherneck Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:38 pm
Anything about retiree healthcare
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:42 pm
Mockingjay
You do mean premium free health insurance, I’m sure. Not sure that any American pays $0 for everything and anything healthcare related (deductibles, co-pays, out of pocket costs).
Please understand that this premium free health insurance, if that’s what it is, is not what every public employee receives, as in teachers.
Comment by AnonymousOne Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 5:57 pm
@AnonymousOne retired state employees pay all the same premiums, co-pays and deductibles for themselves and their spouse as any other covered individual—with one exception. The amount of the individual premium only is reduced by 5% per year of service, so there is no individual premium for a retiree who worked 20 years or more. All other costs still apply.
Comment by Reality Check Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 6:09 pm
== The amount of the individual premium only is reduced by 5% per year of service, so there is no individual premium for a retiree who worked 20 years or more. ==
Note: as a SERS retiree, you have to have a minimum of 8 years to even participate in the State health plan. It is correct that 20 years is premium free for the actual retiree, but not any dependents.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 6:19 pm
I heard teir 2 don’t get retiree health at all?
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 6:55 pm
State employee guy, you could always leave the Union and cut your own deal? Let’s see how that goes for you?
Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 7:38 pm
After 37 years in the private sector, I became a state employee 4 years ago. Compared to what is going on with compensation and insurance costs in the private sector this deal is a jackpot. Minimal health cost increases, a juicy stipend, and awesome raises in the last 2 years plus normal steps? I should have become a state employee decades ago…
Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 8:34 pm
==you could always leave the Union and cut your own deal==
Not sure if you’re new here but that’s not how it works at all.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 8:35 pm
State Employee Dude, you could always quit.
Comment by Glengarry Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 8:41 pm
Well Captain the retirement is no better to marginally worse than the private sector now. The other benefits are better. But there really have not been any raises in years….like private secyor.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 8:58 pm
Yes tier 2 is substandard, that is the reason for my lament about my timing, especially missing out on the lifetime healthcare, a truly gold plated benefit. However, the retirement plan from my earlier employment was a good one so I have no worries in that regard. Meanwhile I get excellent compensation as I ease towards retirement.
Comment by Captain Obvious Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 9:06 pm
Good plan . I know in SURS you can add a 403 b or get the portable which makes a lot of sense for someone like you.But not that much hiring at a lot of the Universities.
Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 9:15 pm
I just had my child in January and got 4 weeks paid leave- it was a c section and I wasn’t even medically cleared to 6 weeks.
Comment by Jen Thursday, Jun 13, 19 @ 9:59 pm
I thought that the tax increase if passed by the voters next November was supposed to go to pay past due bills, not hand out new spending like it’s free candy at Halloween. That is why we will vote no on higher taxes at our home. Governor Blutarski and the Dems are spending money they don’t even have yet.
Comment by Tim Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 7:10 am
“So employees have to wait two years to get a raise that beats inflation, and as a thank you, have to pay more for insurance?”
Why should you get raises above inflation? You doing more work?
Comment by midway gardens Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 8:24 am
AFSCME is going to build a monument to this guy. Good for them, they truly did earn this.
Comment by Iggy Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 8:36 am
Likely the biggest mistake I have made in my life is not becoming a state of Illinois employee a long time ago.
The benefits are just incredible.
Comment by Pick a Name Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 9:14 am
It’s a good contract. I am extremely thankful for it.
But here’s what you have to understand. Those complaining have obviously never been in business.
Successful companies take care of their workforce.
JB and the GA just put 50 years of work on our plate. We’ve got the smallest and newest workforce in our history. (Thanks Rauner)
State workers have to design, build, and maintain all the new things that were just voted in.
Take any one of those items. It’s immense work.
JB as a successful venture capitalist
just made a huge investment into his workforce
Totally smart
Look at the contrast
JB invests
Rauner, Bought it, Broke it, and tried to sell it off.
A good contract will propel Illinois into the future
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 9:28 am
Actually Honeybear, those in business know what they are talking about. They understand 50-70 hour work weeks, getting paid after everyone else gets paid, having to pay large $ for healthcare, relying on social security and not a lucrative pension and free healthcare. Working weekends and holidays.
Business people fully understand!
Hopefully you understand the huge investment JB is making is funded by taxpayers.
Comment by Pick a Name Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 11:57 am
I have been negotiating contracts for various unions for over 20 years. I have never seen a union agree to NOT take a raise for 4 years and call it a GOOD contract.The $2500 will help but AFSCME should not be patting themselves on the back for doing a great job. This is not a great contract by far.
Comment by Anon Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 12:02 pm
==2015 0%, 2016 0%, 2017 0%, 2018 0%, 2019 0%, 2020 3.6%, 2021 3.95%, 2022 3.95%.
Average increase over 8 years, 1.43%==
Cheer up. All of Rauner’s freezes are thawed. Step raises have been reinstated, boosting pay to where it would have been without the freezes. Back wages for the missed raises will be paid. With interest. Plus future step raises at about twice the recent rate of inflation. Plus more time off. Plus a stipend up to $2500.
Doug Finke:
Unionized state workers who are owed money for step raises they didn’t receive during Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration should get the money by the end of September, AFSCME said Wednesday.
However, they may have to wait longer to collect interest on that money that the courts have said they are entitled to receive.
The Pritzker administration puts the cost of making good on the step raises at $370 million including interest that is owed.
All workers were put on their proper step levels starting April 1.
https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190612/state-workers-back-step-pay-should-be-paid-by-end-of-september
Comment by Anonanonsir Friday, Jun 14, 19 @ 12:10 pm