AFSCME NEWS for PSA Option 6 Employees

EET Restored

As a result of the Unfair Labor Practice charge we filed, AFSCME Council 31 and the State of Illinois resolved the issue of Earned Equivalent Time. Up until July 1, 2007, EET not used by the end of the fiscal year was lost. This changed on July 1, 2007, when employees were first allowed to carry their EET over into the next fiscal year. Under the resolution, all EET employees had accumulated since July 1, 2007 will be restored. The memorandum of understanding is attached to this update.

“Fumigation” Bill (SB1333) Update

Speaker Madigan is pushing hard for passage of legislation that would terminate state employees in certain exempt positions. Originally, his legislation covered all Rutan-exempt employees, but it has since been amended to only cover those who are both Rutan-exempt and exempt from the Personnel Code and to exclude bargaining unit employees. AFSCME is further seeking to exclude employees who are included in petitions for union representation pending at the labor board from this legislation.

Salary Grade Negotiations

At this point, we have not reached a resolution for your salary grade. We remain hopeful that we will reach an agreement. However, if we cannot, your arbitration hearing on this issue is scheduled for June 9th.

Labor Board Update

The Labor Board has denied AFSCME’s petition to merge PSA Option 6 employees into RC-62/63. The Union had pointed out to the Board that it was SEIU, not AFSCME that petitioned for a separate unit. Since employees voted overwhelmingly to be represented by AFSCME, they should be represented as AFSCME had originally petitioned. The Labor Board’s denial means that RC-150 employees (PSA Option 6) do not have bidding rights to RC-62/63, though this is something we can seek in future bargaining with the State. Employees do have bidding rights to other Option 6 positions and, of course they have increased job security. In the event of a threatened layoff, they would have bumping rights into other AFSCME represented bargaining units, as well as rights to vacant positions in other AFSCME bargaining units. The RC-63 contract language still applies to RC-150 employees, but as a separate bargaining unit. AFSCME Council 31 will continue to seek to negotiate the expansion of your rights with the State.