COOK COUNTY UPDATE FROM AFSCME COUNCIL 31
A News Bulletin for Cook County AFSCME Members:
Sales Tax Repeal Threatens Services — A penny—or half penny—lost could have a very big cost for Cook County services. The incessant battling over the one cent sales tax increase enacted by the County Board nearly two years ago may be heading for its conclusion. On Nov.17, the County Board voted to repeal half the increase; then on Nov. 23, Board President Todd Stroger vetoed the repeal. And on Dec. 1, the Board voted to override Stroger’s veto.
AFSCME and other concerned organizations lobbied hard against the override, hoping to sway at least a few of those who voted for the repeal to change their positions.
The sales tax is needed because the County is living on “borrowed time” right now. Even with the partial repeal in place, sales tax revenues will continue to flow through most of the current fiscal year, helping to keep the County afloat for now. But once the full impact of the repeal is felt, those revenues will plummet. And the County’s health system is getting extra federal and state aid this year that can’t be counted on going forward.
The Health Systems Board is warning that repeal of the tax increase could result in further layoffs at the County’s public hospitalsand clinics. At the same time, a federal judge is ordering the County to greatly increase hiring at the jail. And the County’s juvenile detention center continues to be under heavy legal scrutiny, requiring additional revenue. Something will have to give somewhere now that it appears that the County will lose the $200 million that the half penny increase raises.
Make Your Voice Heard — If County employees don’t speak out for County services, who else will? If your County Commissioner was among those who voted for the repeal, be sure to let him or her know that you are very concerned about what the impact will be for County services and jobs.
And while you’re at it, be sure to thank your Commissioner if he or she stood against repealing the half cent in the first place. Those who voted against were: Murphy, Sims, Moreno , Beavers and Butler . Commissioners Joan Murphy and Deborah Simsdeserve special thanks since they face tough reelection campaigns against opponents who are trying to use their support for the sales tax increase against them.
County Still Stalling at the Bargaining Table — Negotiations over a new contract for AFSCME members in Cook County are moving at a glacial pace. Management negotiators have been insisting that without certitude about whether the sales tax increase will remain in place, they can’t know what the County’s fiscal prospects will be.
The County has essentially refused to bargain over wage increases, and AFSCME has filed unfair labor practice charges with theIllinois Labor Relations Board.
Union negotiators have argued that County employees are struggling to balance their own budgets and deserve a pay increase to help them keep up with the cost of living. In addition, the Union is refusing to go along with the large increases in employee health care costs that Management is pushing at the bargaining table.
The AFSCME Bargaining Committee, made up of representatives from all fifteen AFSCME local unions representing Cook County employees, is determined to protect the gains AFSCME members have made in improving their working conditions and standard of living over the past two decades.
None of the other unions that represent County employees whose agreements have expired have settled their contracts. AFSCME is seen as the lead union in Cook County and other unions generally follow the pattern that our union sets when we settle our contract.
AFSCME is continuing to sponsor periodic solidarity actions—with displays of unity in every worksite—in order to send a strong message to Management that we don’t intend to go backwards or back down. We’re going to get the fair contract we deserve!
Protests Send Health Board Back to the Drawing Board — The independent Health Systems Board that oversees the County’s hospitals and outpatient clinics has shown itself ready and willing to hear the concerns of all stakeholders in the system. But in initially laying out its goals for the system, the Board gave greater credence to the voices of outside consultants than to those of its own employees or concerned citizens.
Earlier this Fall, the Board unveiled a strategic plan for the County health care system—drawn up by those outside consultants–which would have resulted in the closure of several community clinics, as well as a reduction in hospital beds.
Fortunately, the Board continued its practice of providing for stakeholder input—and Board members quickly got an earful at a series of community forums. AFSCME members and other labor and community groups turned out in force to get their message across—County health care services are vitally needed and should not be cut back.
AFSCME Regional Director Peter Schmalz testified at the hearing held in South Holland on October 19th and urged the Board to revisit the strategic plan in order to take into account the views expressed by health care advocates, health system employees and community residents in the hearings. Subsequently, Health System CEO William Foley told AFSCME that the Board would do just that.
AFSCME continues to play a leading role in the Emergency Network to Preserve Cook County Health Services, a coalition of unions and community groups committed to ensuring that Cook County continues to provide quality health care services to all those in need.
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