By: CBS4 News
newsroom@cbs4qc.com
The Quinn Administration and the American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 have reached a
tentative agreement on a new union contract covering some 35,000 state
employees. Negotiations have been ongoing for more than 15 months.
"At a time when the state is facing unprecedented financial
challenges, this agreement is fair to both hard-working state employees and all
taxpayers of Illinois," Governor Pat Quinn said. "I want to thank the women and
men who have stayed at the table for more than a year for their commitment to
reaching an agreement."
"AFSCME is very pleased that we were able to reach an
agreement that protects our members' standard of living, and is fair to them and
all Illinois citizens, even in these very challenging economic times," AFSCME
Council 31 executive director Henry Bayer said.
AFSCME members must ratify any contract negotiated by their
elected bargaining representatives. The ratification process will get underway
at work sites statewide during the week of March 4.
Details of the tentative agreement will be released after the
union's membership has had the opportunity to review it.
