s week, it was with the slimmest of hopes that

nouncements about the importance of

e budget crisis might actually have been made

come to see how his stubborn refusal to work

s fiscal woes was harming citizens all across
also finally have realized how
to take the same my way or the highway
yeesthe thousands of dedicated public
from abuse, monitor air and water quality,
care for aged veterans, and so much more.

hat your AFSCME Bargaining Committee

p of publicly putting forward a new
at significantly modified the unions previous
c issues. After an entire year in which the
he bargaining table and work to reach a fair
mittee wanted to concretely demonstrate that
red to do all we can to avert the disruption that
de strike.

SCMEs letter to the governor which outlines the

arned just how insincere the governors

mise really is. Within hours of receiving the
w framework, the governors office put out a
smissing the new terms as superficial andas
exaggerating the potential cost to the state.

entation of the facts is a clear indication that the

ethical leg to stand on in the war he is waging

grasp that a settlement framework based on

age increase for four yearsand paying more
presents real sacrifice. The decision to put such
one that the Bargaining Committee made lightly
s are keenly aware that it could entail real
employeesespecially those who are lower-paid

g that sacrifice and taking up the opportunity

overnor is refusing to make any
e remains determined to eradicate union rights,
% more for their health insurance, to freeze wage
t for four years, and to have unrestricted ability

e time has now come to move forward with a

his vote will let every AFSCME member
esist Rauners assaults or to allow him to impose
oyees. The voting will take place in each local
anuary 30 February 19. Specific information
d procedures in your local will be coming soon.

er to give your AFSCME Bargaining

call a strike. If a majority vote yes, that does
ll be a strikeas the Committee will continue to
ch a fair settlement. But it does mean that if all
epared to go out on strike when the Committee

nsible person would seek or savor. Yet we have

as continuously pushed to reach this juncture
nomic security and job rights or to shut down the
rvices they need.

e will be called on to take our commitment to

to build on the support shown by our
powerful message that no government can
ampling on the employees who provide those

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