Governor Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation that would have blocked public-employee strikes and management lockouts of those workers. He vetoed the bill in part because it was based on what he called the false premise he has been unreasonable in negotiating with state workers.
The governor also complained about the measure's plan to resolve contract-negotiation impasses with binding arbitration.
The legislation was backed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. It is aimed at what the union and Democrats have called Rauner's anti-union rhetoric.
The union, known as AFSCME, represents 38,000 workers — a significant share of the state workforce. Its contract expired on June 30th, and the latest "tolling agreement" will keep workers on the job through at least the end of September.
Nevertheless, AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall says both sides remain far apart on basic issues like wages and health care.
Rauner denies that. He did, however, just veto union-backed legislation that would have sent contract disputes to binding arbitration. In his veto message, Rauner also denies that he wants to lock-out workers or prompt a strike.
- Brian Mackey, N'Jema McIntyre, and Associated Press contributed to this report.