Zander
Platinum Member
The state of Illinois is dead broke, bankrupt. For 70 years they've been dominated by Democrats who would rubber stamp UNION benefits and pay increases in exchange for votes. This is the problem with public sector Unions- there is always a CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Illinois’ biggest government-worker union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, is engaged in contract negotiations with the state in an attempt to boost its salaries and benefits. As part of its negotiation tactics, AFSCME claims its “middle class” benefits are under attack. That’s why union officials are demanding up to $3 billion in salary and benefits for union members.
AFSCME’s demands ignore four significant facts about Illinois state-worker compensation:
Many other unions that contract with the state have recognized that taxpayers can’t withstand higher taxes to fund workers’ pay and benefits. Officials from more than 17 unions, including the Teamsters, understand the depth of Illinois’ fiscal crisis and have been willing to compromise and come to affordable contract agreements with the state.
AFSCME, which represents a mere 0.5 percent of Illinois’ total labor force (35,000 state workers out of a total 6.5 million workers), is putting undue pressure on the state and its finances.
AFSCME’s demands include new state-worker salary, health care and pension benefits. Specifically, AFSCME leaders are seeking four-year raises ranging from 11.5 to 29 percent, a 37.5-hour workweek, five weeks of vacation and enhanced health care coverage.
In contrast, Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed a reform plan as part of the ongoing contract negotiations with AFSCME. Under the governor’s plan, AFSCME workers would undergo a temporary salary freeze in return for new merit pay and incentive bonuses.
In addition, workers would also have their health care benefits modified. Under the reform plan, Illinois taxpayers would still subsidize 60 percent of AFSCME workers’ annual health care costs, while state workers would be asked to pay 40 percent of their costs, up from 23 percent.
It’s in the best interest of all Illinoisans to provide salary, health care and pension benefits that are affordable for both state workers and taxpayers. Instead of increasing benefits as AFSCME has demanded, the state should work to bring its employees’ total compensation more in line with what the private sector can afford.
ILLINOIS STATE WORKERS ARE THE HIGHEST-PAID STATE WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY
Illinois state workers receive the highest wages of any state workers in the country, when adjusted for cost of living. Illinois pays its state workers more than $59,000 a year when adjusted for cost of living, far more than its neighbors and nearly $10,000 more than the national average.
Illinois state workers highest paid in nation | Illinois Policy
AFSCME’s demands ignore four significant facts about Illinois state-worker compensation:
- Illinois state workers are the highest-paid state workers in the country
- AFSCME workers receive Cadillac health care benefits
- Most state workers receive free retiree health insurance
- Career state retirees on average receive $1.6 million in pension benefits
Many other unions that contract with the state have recognized that taxpayers can’t withstand higher taxes to fund workers’ pay and benefits. Officials from more than 17 unions, including the Teamsters, understand the depth of Illinois’ fiscal crisis and have been willing to compromise and come to affordable contract agreements with the state.
AFSCME, which represents a mere 0.5 percent of Illinois’ total labor force (35,000 state workers out of a total 6.5 million workers), is putting undue pressure on the state and its finances.
AFSCME’s demands include new state-worker salary, health care and pension benefits. Specifically, AFSCME leaders are seeking four-year raises ranging from 11.5 to 29 percent, a 37.5-hour workweek, five weeks of vacation and enhanced health care coverage.
In contrast, Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed a reform plan as part of the ongoing contract negotiations with AFSCME. Under the governor’s plan, AFSCME workers would undergo a temporary salary freeze in return for new merit pay and incentive bonuses.
In addition, workers would also have their health care benefits modified. Under the reform plan, Illinois taxpayers would still subsidize 60 percent of AFSCME workers’ annual health care costs, while state workers would be asked to pay 40 percent of their costs, up from 23 percent.
It’s in the best interest of all Illinoisans to provide salary, health care and pension benefits that are affordable for both state workers and taxpayers. Instead of increasing benefits as AFSCME has demanded, the state should work to bring its employees’ total compensation more in line with what the private sector can afford.
ILLINOIS STATE WORKERS ARE THE HIGHEST-PAID STATE WORKERS IN THE COUNTRY
Illinois state workers receive the highest wages of any state workers in the country, when adjusted for cost of living. Illinois pays its state workers more than $59,000 a year when adjusted for cost of living, far more than its neighbors and nearly $10,000 more than the national average.
Illinois state workers highest paid in nation | Illinois Policy