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Illinois Gov. Rauner Vetoes Union Arbitration Bill

Henryk Sadura
/
123rf Stock Photo

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation to allow an arbitrator to settle state-employee wages and working conditions if union negotiations stall. 

In his veto message Monday, the Republican governor called the bill "dangerous," adding it would replace his bargaining power with a union-friendly arbitrator. Ruling Democrats can try to override the veto. 

AFSCME's state council Executive Director Roberta Lynch says the bill is a compromise to avoid a strike.

The veto comes as the Rauner administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees present their case during a weeks-long hearing with the state's labor board as to whether negotiations have reached an impasse. 

That determination would give Rauner the power to impose his own terms for a contract to replace the one that expired June 30.

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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