AFSCME and state reach one-month no-strike, no-lockout agreement

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State of Illinois employees represented by AFSCME walk near the Department of Healthcare and Family Services building in Springfield earlier this month. File Photo. (David Spencer/The State Journal-Register via AP)

On the same day Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoed most of the budget bills sent his way, his office also reached a monthlong agreement with the state’s largest public employee union that will temporarily prevent a lockout or strike.

Rauner’s office on Thursday evening announced an agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31 (AFSCME Council 31). The union represents the bulk of more than 40,000 unionized state employees.

“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,” said the joint statement from Jason Barclay, general counsel to the governor and Mike Newman deputy director of AFSCME Council 31.

The agreement will allow both sides to continue to negotiate without the threat of disruption to public services, the statement said.

The state contract was to run out on Tuesday.

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