Renegotiation May Be In Order Over State Workers' Raises
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- Illinois Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon says there may have to be some renegotiation with the union AFSCME over raises due 30,000 workers.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's John Cody reports, Gov. Pat Quinn has said he can't afford the $70 million it would cost to cover the 2 percent wage hike for 30,000 AFSCME members.
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He said the Illinois General Assembly didn't give him enough money.
Arbitrator Edward Benn has ruled Illinois must pay up on the raises due July 1.
But Simon says that arbitrator's ruling is only the first step, the ruling will be appealed.
"I think what's significant about is that it moves us further down the road in what our options are with the state budget, and there may have to be some renegotiation once we have more information about what the possibilities are," Simon said.
She said the arbitration ruling was helpful by moving the whole process down the legal road. But she says the state will not pay up on the raises until the courts have spoken.
