The state panel of the Illinois Labor Relations Board Tuesday issued a ruling that contract negotiations between the Rauner Administration and AFSCME Council 31 are at an impasse.
The union AFSCME and the state haven’t met to negotiate a long expired labor contract since January. Governor Bruce Rauner asked the State Labor Relations Board to declare that the sides had come to an impasse.
The impasse could force the union to either accept the state’s contract terms or go on strike.
Anders Lindall with AFSCME says the union is still willing to negotiate, and it’s disappointed with the board’s decision.
"We think that a strike would be harmful to the people of Illinois. And Governor Rauner’s path of chaos and confrontation is not in the public interest."
Lindall says the union plans to make an appeal.
In a statement, Rauner says the decision is fair for taxpayers and state employees and hopes AFSCME will quote- “consider how best to implement the contract.”
