Illinois will begin drug and alcohol testing for members of state government's biggest labor union. It would only apply to employees suspected of being impaired on the job.
It's the latest example of Governor Bruce Rauner unilaterally implementing terms of a new state contract with AFSCME. He can do that because the state labor board found that negotiations had come to an impasse.
Wednesday, however, several dozen legislators called on Rauner to get back to the bargaining table ... to head off a possible strike.
Most were Democrats. But Senator Sam McCann was one of two Republicans that joined in. He says he personally wouldn't mind being subject to drug or alcohol testing, but McCann says the governor's approach is wrong.
"A piecemeal approach is the perfect magnifying glass, it puts a light, sheds a light on the fact that we need a comprehensive, negotiated contract ... that's why we need a negotiated contract in place to cover all of these issues, not just on a piecemeal approach enacted on a daily basis."
Democratic Sen. Andy Manar of Bunker Hill says he and other legislators prefer another option: the governor resuming negotiations. Himself.
"He sold himself to the people of the state as a business leader that can negotiate deals, that can solve difficult problems.”
Rauner has shown no sign of being willing to resume bargaining with AFSCME. The union plans to go to court over the labor board ruling.
Under the new policy ... employees found to be intoxicated at work will get a months' suspension and have to enroll in a treatment program.
AFSCME says it's open to talking about this and any other issue. But a spokesman for the union says the governor announced the change to distract from the legislators urging him to resume bargaining.
