Gov. Bruce Rauner sealed collective bargaining agreements with several unions last week.
The total number of ratified agreements now stand at 17, representing more than 5,000 state employees. The unions agreeing to terms on the new four-year collective bargaining agreements include Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and five bargaining units represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. AFSCME Council 31 is still holding out.
The new agreements include expanding the group health insurance program to include a variety of choices for employees, including using the state contribution to shop on the health insurance marketplace or purchase a union health insurance plan.
Overtime will be earned after 40 hours of work per week. In addition, employees who implement cost-saving measures and meet or exceed their performance standards can be rewarded with bonuses. Management and the unions can work toward alternatives to outsourcing.
The unions agreed to a reduction, from 75 to 45 days, in paying out unused vacation days. This only affects employees hired after January 1.
The agreement also allows the State of Illinois to implement measures to increase the utilization of minorities in state government and provides increased opportunities for training and certification of employees.
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