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* WREX…
On February 7, 2024, members of the Teamsters union represented by Locals 26, 50, 371, 525, 627, 705, 722, and 916 employed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) voted by 95% to authorize a strike.
This vote follows ongoing contract negotiations with the state which began after the previous contract expired on July 1, 2023. […]
The Illinois Department of Transportation has released the following statement:
“The safety of the traveling public always has been and always will be the Illinois Department of Transportation’s top priority. The department values its hard-working staff and employees, and looks forward to continuing a successful partnership with all of its collective bargaining units now and into the future.”
* From the Teamsters…
“Our members, who have been leading the way during this contract fight, have grown tired of the state’s unwillingness to value their hard work,” said Thomas Stiede, President of Joint Council 25. “Their overwhelming strike authorization sends a clear message, and we will do whatever it takes to get them the contract they deserve.”
The strike authorization vote comes after months of negotiations with the state of Illinois for a new contract. The most recent contract expired on July 1, 2023.
“Illinois has a highway budget that is bigger and better than ever, so there is clearly plenty of money there to pay us fair wages and allow us to remain on our preferred health insurance,” said Cale Shonk, a permits supervisor at IDOT in District 5 and member of Local 916. “The state has applauded us for the great work we do but refuses to pay us what we are worth. It is beyond ridiculous we are being treated like this.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 11:57 am
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***cue up iced roads and and major snow systems throughout the state…
Comment by old Man winter Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:11 pm
The bargaining agreements in question are the ones with the famous free Teamster insurance, which was initially offered under a Rauner-era deal during his administration, in exchange for a wage freeze.
Lots of thoughts on this, from different angles - the free insurance works out great if you have a big family and a salary already near the top of your pay bracket. On the other hand, many newer/younger employees without dependents wanted annual raises in lieu of the free insurance. The free insurance was something easy to take for granted. Teamsters could stand to do a little soul searching and maybe work with other state unions to try and expand the free insurance to all state employees in a bargaining unit, rather than keeping it a Teamster-only benefit.
On the other hand, Omer Osman is quickly going down as one of the absolute worst IL Secretaries of Transportation in the agency’s history for letting a strike threat this large get so close to actually happening.
Comment by Scooter Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:37 pm
==Omer Osman … for letting a strike threat this large get so close to actually happening.==
He’s not in charge of the negotiations. CMS does all contract negotiations.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:50 pm
I’ll note that the Teamsters have asked for a larger wage increase than AFSCME. Can’t do that. There is a “met too” clause in the AFSCME contract. Anyone gets anything better than them they get it too.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:51 pm
“me too” sorry, can’t type
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:51 pm
Omer Osman is in charge of Labor Relations, not CMS? His predecessor established the “free insurance” independent of CMS?
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:52 pm
***cue up iced roads and and major snow systems throughout the state…
NOAA long range forecast is calling for near normal temps with below normal precip
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/forecasts/
Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:53 pm
There was nothing “free” about the health insurance. The employees gave up raises, in lieu of paying health insurance premiums.
The Teamsters insurance has been a good deal. Claims paid in timely manner. Deductibles and co-pays are low. Never found a medical provider who won’t accept it.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 12:53 pm
Between this and SEIU the Governor is having some fun labor relations these days.
Comment by Peoples Republic of Oak Park Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 1:09 pm
“He’s not in charge of the negotiations. CMS does all contract negotiations.”
The Secretary of Transportation absolutely has input. If Mr. Osman can’t get it across to CMS that coming to terms with the unions is critical, then he’s not an effective leader. Doesn’t have the luxury of saying “well, talk to CMS!” if most IDOT personnel walk off the job.
Comment by Scooter Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 1:41 pm
Where’s the governor? Is he really going to allow the IDOT Teamsters to strike in February?
Comment by JB13 Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 1:43 pm
==The Secretary of Transportation absolutely has input. ==
Not on wages and insurance he doesn’t. You don’t know how state labor negotiations work apparently or you wouldn’t say what you just said.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 2:18 pm
Scooter, that’s not how it works. IDOT’s Labor Relations staff bargains with the Teamsters. Agency head’s have zero involvement in negotiations. Do you think and other agency Secretaries/Directors were at the bargaining table with AFSCME? That’s a no.
Comment by FIREDup! Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 2:22 pm
Years ago we gave up raises to pay for health insurance. Then CMS didn’t like that so we started paying for our health insurance. Then again during the Rauner admin we again took a pay freeze for the ability to switch to the Union’s insurance. Due to the administrations unwillingness to give cost of living increases. An to save the state tax payers the cost of us being on the States insurance system. Now they want us to give that up as well and pay for the State’s insurance once more. Leaving us with what amounts to a significant pay cut.
Comment by worried for the state Thursday, Feb 8, 24 @ 4:15 pm