November 26, 2008


The General Assembly’s Fall Veto Session accomplished little of note. But it did give AFSCME members from the Pontiac Correctional Center an opportunity to draw wider attention to the Blagojevich Administration’s flawed plan to close down their prison. Over 600 union members, including representatives from some two dozen other AFSCME locals, marched through the State Capitol up to the Governor’s Office to present his representatives with a stack of letters from Pontiac area school children describing the damage the closure would do to their community.

The Veto Session also brought into sharper focus the State of Illinois’ dire fiscal situation. Comptroller Dan Hynes pointed out that revenues are coming in far lower than original projections and the State is now many months’ behind in paying its bills. The State’s budget shortfall is now estimated to be more than $2 billion. This budgetary cloud hung heavy over all of the legislative deliberations during the two weeks in November that the legislature was in session.

Most of the excitement in the Veto Session was generated by the leadership change in the State Senate. Both Democratic (Emil Jones) and Republican (Frank Watson) leaders who had served for many years are stepping down. After some fairly intense internal competition, each caucus elected new leaders: John Cullerton for the Democrats and Christine Radogno for the Republicans. Since the Democrats are the majority party in the Senate, it is a foregone conclusion that Sen. Cullerton will be elected Senate President when the new legislative session gets underway in January.

*Preventing Layoffs in State Government and Program Cuts in Community Disability Agencies (SB 1103—Sen. Trotter/Rep. Hannig) -– This AFSCME-backed legislation was passed in a special session earlier this fall and would restore funds that the Governor vetoed from the FY 09 budget for DCFS, DNR, IHPA and DHS. It also adds funds to the budget for the specific purpose of preventing cuts that DHS was planning to make to community-based disability service providers, whose direct care employees are represented by AFSCME. Once the Veto Session was adjourned on November 21, the Governor used his amendatory veto to cut out the funding for IHPA which would have prevented the closure of 14 historic sites and related layoffs. He did leave in the funding for DCFS, DNR, DHS and the community disability agencies. However, thus far he has refused to spend all of the funds that he approved in the bill.

*The 8% Non-Solution – During the Veto Session, Gov. Blagojevich introduced legislation that would have given him unilateral authority to cut up to 8% from state agencies, as well as funds that flow from the state to universities, local governments and school districts. AFSCME opposed this measure which would have likely resulted in further cuts to state agencies, as well as cutbacks in state funding to state universities, school districts, and to cities and counties across Illinois. Fortunately, the legislation never really got off the ground due to the widespread opposition that surfaced as soon as the proposal was made.

*Contract Educators Become State Employees (SB 1529 -- Rep. Bradley/Sen. Forby) – This measure implemented an AFSCME agreement with the State of Illinois which advanced one of the Union’s longstanding goals—to bring contractual services “in-house”, with AFSCME as the collective bargaining representative. Employees of the Macon-Piatt Corrections Special Education District (MCSED) have long provided educational programs in the Illinois Department of Corrections for lower wages and benefits than IDOC employees. When MCSED employees organized with AFSCME Council 31 several years ago, the Union set to work to change that situation. The agreement that was reached with the State makes these employees state employees with the same wages and benefits as those performing similar work. SB 1529 passed overwhelmingly in both houses.

*DJJ Director Confirmed by Senate – Kurt Friedenauer, who has been the acting director of the Department of Juvenile Justice for the past several years, was recently named as the permanent director by Gov. Blagojevich. His appointment requires Senate confirmation. AFSCME opposed his confirmation because Friedenauer has been ineffective in bringing about real reforms that would ensure the safety and security of staff and incarcerated youth or would provide the necessary educational programs in juvenile facilities. Although the Senate did confirm him, questions raised by AFSCME led to a commitment by legislators to further examine the status of educational programs in DJJ.

Update Fight against Layoffs and Closures

Council 31 -

As we informed you last week, the Governor has signed SB 1103—leaving intact the funding it included to avert closures and layoffs in DCFS, DNR and DHS. He vetoed the funding for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency without offering any explanation for that decision in his veto message.

SB 1103 was drafted with input from AFSCME, and the Union went to considerable lengths to make sure that the amounts appropriated for DCFS, DNR and DHS were sufficient to avert all of the layoffs scheduled in each of those agencies. In addition, the legislation was drafted to make clear that the “sole purpose” for which the funding could be used was to “prevent the layoff of frontline staff”.

As you know, the bump meetings in all three agencies have been completed and the layoffs are set to take effect on Dec. 1st. Initially, it seemed as if the Governor had acted in order to make funding available before the layoffs took place so that they could be averted. But looks can be deceiving.

The Administration did act swiftly to rescind all of the more than 200 layoffs scheduled for DCFS. (This does not include any positions that might be impacted by the agency “consolidation” that is now underway.) Our Union can certainly count that as a major victory. Undoubtedly the highly visible demonstration that Local 2081 spearheaded at the State of Illinois Center in downtown Chicago last week helped to persuade the Governor that these layoffs posed too great a risk to the safety of vulnerable children.

Unfortunately, however, after some initial confusion, it now appears that none of the 60 layoffs slated for DHS will be rescinded and that only four of the eleven state parks slated for closure will be kept open—with only six of the 39 scheduled DNR layoffs being cancelled.

There is no rhyme or reason for these decisions. There is no reason to proceed with the closure of 14 historic sites and the related layoff of 35 employees, no reason to close down seven state parks with the related layoff of employees, and no reason to lay off DHS employees who provide vital services to families in need. Funding to avert all of these layoffs was included in SB 1103—and much of that funding remains in the legislation as the Governor signed it.

AFSCME is going to continue to fight these layoffs on every front As a result of the changes in who will be laid off, the 3k rights (inter-agency transfer on layoff) of laid off employees are affected. However, CMS did not redo the layoff procedure. The Union is going to file a grievance over this failure because to the extent employees who are not being laid off have picked jobs that otherwise could have been picked by those employees who will actually be laid off, laid off employees' rights have been affected.

Council 31 attorneys are also reviewing the language of SB 1103 and the stated reasons for the originally scheduled layoffs to determine if there is the basis for legal action and/or a grievance for failure to rescind all of the DNR and DHS layoffs.

And tonight, AFSCME members from the Historic Preservation Agency—and their supporters from other agencies—will gather outside the Governor’s mansion to protest his veto of the funding to keep historic sites open and demand that he find a way to avert these cuts to some of Illinois’ most significant historic heritage.

In addition, the Union is continuing its battle against the extremely ill-advised efforts to close the Pontiac Correctional Center, Tinley Park Mental Health Center and Howe Developmental Center.

Over the past two weeks, there has been some striking progress in the battle to save the Pontiac Correctional Center. Last Wednesday, some 600 AFSCME members descended on Springfield to rally and march to the Governor’s Office to present him with letters from Pontiac school children which described in moving human terms the negative consequences that closing the prison would have on the community. Then on Thursday a Livingston County judge issued an order enjoining the Department of Corrections from laying off any employees until the Union’s grievances related to the closure plan have been arbitrated. This decision comes in the wake of a restraining order issued by a Johnson County judge that barred any further movement of Pontiac inmates to other facilities because of the dangers that were arising out of the reckless and irresponsible relocation measures being used.

We especially want to thank those of you who, along with members of your locals, traveled to Springfield to join in the rally and show your solidarity with the AFSCME members at Pontiac CC. Fortunately AFSCME has deep reserves of solidarity to draw on because much more will be needed in the coming weeks as the battle over the closures of Tinley Park MHC and Howe DC heats up.

A critical front in the battle against the closings is the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which is required by law to hold a public hearing on any proposed facility closure and to issue an advisory recommendation based on its findings. It is the union’s understanding that COGFA will hold its public hearings on Tinley Park and Howe in early to mid December. As soon as the date and time are finalized, you will be notified of the details and asked to bring members to show your support for your brothers and sisters in Local 1591.

These are tough fights that we face—but the progress that we’ve made so far, the determination that we’ve shown, and the unity that we’ve maintained, all make clear that if we continue to stand up and fight, we can prevail.

2008 TDF Family Christmas Party

Its that time of year again, and our family Christmas party is rapidly approaching. We are holding the party on Sunday December 14th from 11am till 7pm at the Virginia. Santa will be there for pictures and to hand out gifts to the kids. We have several games planned as well. The G&W committee will supply the meat, so please bring a side dish or dessert to share with everyone. The meal times have been established so that we can include all shifts, and they are 12pm for the first meal, and 5pm for the second. There are RSVP forms available, so let us know if you are planning to attend and how many you will be bringing with you so that we can plan the amount of meat and supplies that we will need to get. Happy Holidays to everyone and we hope to see you there.

Fight against Layoffs, Closures and Downsizing

Late yesterday (after the General Assembly’s veto session had wrapped up), the Governor finally acted on SB 1103. As you’ll recall, AFSCME played a critical role in drafting and helping to enact this legislation which “swept” certain special funds to provide new monies specifically for the purpose of averting planned layoffs (and related closures/downsizing) in DCFS, DNR, IHPA and DHS. The measure, which totaled $220 million in all, also included funds for a number of other purposes, including community disability agencies, drug treatment programs, the RTA, and other constitutional officers.

The Governor amendatorily vetoed the bill—leaving in funding for DCFS, DNR and DHS. However, he vetoed the funding for the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

As written, SB 1103 specifically limits the use of the funds appropriated to DCFS, DNR and DHS to the purpose of averting layoffs of frontline staff. Since the Governor did not veto the funding for these agencies, it seems logical to conclude that the layoffs scheduled for these three agencies would be cancelled.

However, thus far we have not been able to confirm that this will be the case. CMS has notified AFSCME Council 31 that the layoffs of DCFS investigators, caseworkers and PSA VI’s will be immediately cancelled. But as of this hour, neither CMS, nor the individual agencies, have been able to confirm whether the layoffs of DNR and DHS employees or of DCFS clerical employees will be rescinded.

Needless to say, we’re pleased that the Governor has effectively restored funding for DCFS, DNR and DHS that could be used to avert layoffs. However, we are very disappointed that the funding for IHPA was not restored—and that there is still not clarity has to whether the funding that was approved will be used for its established purpose—to prevent scheduled layoffs.

It should also be noted that at this point, we do not know how the Governor’s action on SB 1103—and the related cancellation of some number of the DCFS layoffs—will affect the planned “restructuring” in DCFS.

AFSCME intends to continue the fight to prevent all of the scheduled layoffs—and the resulting service cutbacks.

In addition, the Union will be working with concerned legislators to develop a strategy to restore the funds that were cut from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency by overriding the Governor’s veto. Unfortunately, the General Assembly is not expected to come back into session until January which means it is unlikely that there will be any action to restore these funds until that time. It’s essential that we continue the fight now to prevent the layoff of IHPA employees and keep public attention focused on the planned shutdown of some fourteen historic sites that are a vital element of our state’s heritage and critical to local economies across Illinois.

It’s still too soon to know exactly what the Governor’s action on SB 1103 will mean for all affected employees. But we know already that we have saved dozens of jobs in DCFS—with hopefully more to come in DCFS and other agencies. We can all be proud of the role that AFSCME played in shaping this legislation, in helping to enact it, and in persuading the Governor not to veto it out of hand.

AFSCME Local Union Leadership Academy Executive Board Training

November 12 & 13th 2008 Springfield, Il. How impressive- specialized training for our E-Board members at the Hilton. Not only a chance to get to know our fellow E-Board members better, but to learn how to improve as an E-Board team. Of course, Mixed in with a little fun and Great Food! During this two day event, we learned tools to build a stronger union in the 21st century-got a better understanding of E-Board administrative and leadership roles- how to plan and conduct productive meetings- learned the responsibilities of each E-Board member-touched on new employee orientation-also received some helpful information on newsletters(blog in our case, which Travis does a wonderful job with!!) We enjoyed some role playing and made a good effort in the jeopardy game(yes, we lost and yes, im a sore loser!) Even tho we are a newer local, I was quite impressed with how well Local 3416 fits in AFSCME standards. I believe all our E-Board was impressed with what our team has accomplished. Not only productive meetings, but with some of the committees like the Health and Safety, Good and Welfare, & Stewards committee,that are already up and running. Not to mention the Mat team and our informational blog. Thanks to this training I believe Local 3416 can fine-tune some of the little things the need work on and use the tools that were given, to continue working as an effective leadership team. And from me personally, a huge thanks to Local 3416 E-Board team--Travis H, Terri V, Jerry M, Travis S, Katrina P, & Brian C. Thanks for all your hard work, knowledge, and determination. We do make a difference!!............................Amy Clark.......... P.S. If you get a chance, watch the movie called "Sicko"- A documentary about health care in this country and others...Find out why Travis H. may be packing his bags for France!!

Minimum Dues Increase

The Executive Board approved a minimum dues increase of $1.50 for January 2009. This amount is the minimum increase called for by the International Constitution.

Labor Management

Last Session:

Schedules are now being posted 24hrs in advance.

Getting lockers for storage right now is not going to happen. I would advise people to store their extra gear in their car.

Only a few people are without new uniforms due to them changing in size since orders were placed.

Per Chief McAdory raincoats are being replaced and more thermal suits are being ordered.

TDF Rushville has had its funding for vacant positions pulled. Don't expect any job postings any time soon.

Save Pontiac Rally set

Council 31 has recently received formal notification that the Department of Corrections plans to proceed with the closing of Pontiac Correctional Center—and is in fact speeding up its timetable, with a target date of Dec. 31.

Council 31 is planning a large-tent rally in the AFSCME parking lot—followed by a march to the Capitol—on Wednesday, November 19th at 2:30 PM.

AFSCME Certified Stewards Training

Council 31 is sponsoring a training for stewards on December 1-2. Interested members should contact the Chief Steward, Brain Cooper.

Union Committees

The Executive Board has decided to re-organize the Membership/Organizing, Health and Safety, and Stewards Committee. The Membership/Organizing Committee will be chaired by T. Smith. The Health and Safety Committee will be chaired by K. Parker. And the Stewards Committee will be chaired by Brian Cooper. One reason for the reorganization is to diversify the representation of the local by encouraging participation from less represented shifts and job locations.