Congratulations, Illinois. Governor Quinn and AFSCME, the union representing some 35,000 state workers, announced they have reached a deal for a new contract. Just don’t ask what the deal is or how much it will cost us. Neither AFSCME or Quinn are saying, and no terms are released.
The contract must be ratified by AFSCME workers and details will come out as part of that process, but in the meantime you’ll just have to trust our governor. That’s the same governor who got elected promising a big pay raise to those workers just before the election.
AFSCME says it’s “very pleased” and Quinn says it’s “fair to both hard-working state employees and all taxpayers of Illinois.” Who would question that?
Mark Glennon
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.