Proposed state worker contract includes 11.5% in raises over four years

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Doug Finke State Capitol Bureau @DougFinkeSJR

Thursday

Jun 13, 2019 at 4:27 PM Jun 13, 2019 at 4:27 PM

Members of the largest state employee union would receive 11.5 percent pay increases over the next four years if members approve a proposed new contract with the state.

In addition, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees will receive a one-time stipend of up to $2,500 that will go into effect when the contract is ratified, according to a copy of the proposal obtained by The State Journal-Register.

As part of the tentative agreement, AFSCME members will pay more for health insurance, but they are being told the increases are substantially lower than the increases that were being sought by former Gov. Bruce Rauner.

The union also said the agreement strengthens restrictions on mandatory overtime and maintains current provisions about subcontracting. Rauner wanted to increase the use of outsourcing of state work.

State negotiators and AFSCME reached a tentative agreement on a new contract in late May. The union hasn’t had a contract with the state since June 30, 2015. The tentative agreement would be in effect until June 30, 2023.

The tentative deal does not provide an immediate pay raise. Instead, union members will get a stipend of $2,500 if the contract is ratified. The stipend is prorated by 25 percent from the time the last contract expired. An employee who worked all four years would get the full $2,500. One who only worked for three of the last four years would get 75 percent of that amount and so on.

The first general raise of 1.5 percent would go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. Another 2.1 percent would go into effect July 1, 2020.

On July 1, 2021 another 3.95 percent raise will take effect. A final increase of 3.95 percent goes into effect July 1, 2022. Compounded, the raises amount to 11.98 percent over the life of the contract.

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Region: Springfield,Feeds,State,Politics,Central,City: Springfield,Region: Central

via State Government News – The State Journal-Register http://bit.ly/2GxsTCh

June 13, 2019 at 04:39PM

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