Labor to Rauner: Stop attacking working people, sign a fair budget now
On the eve of the annual State of the State Address, the union coalition Illinois Working Together held a Springfield news conference to urge Governor Rauner to drop his anti-worker agenda and stop holding our state hostage.
The event was hosted by Illinois AFL-CIO president Mike Carrigan and Chicago Federation of Labor president Jorge Ramirez, who criticized Rauner’s refusal to compromise and sign a budget even though lawmakers have rejected the governor’s demands that would strip the rights and drive down wages of all working people.
Joining the leaders were rank-and-file union members from throughout the state, including AFSCME local presidents Matt Whalen (a paramedic in Jackson County in Southern Illinois), Shaun Dawson (of Logan Correctional Center) and Stephen Mittons (a DCFS child protective investigator), as well as a fire fighter, grade school teacher, painter, college professor, steel worker and home care worker.
Read media coverage of the news conference from the Associated Press, WTAX News Radio and State Journal-Register.
Here are some of the powerful messages workers sent to Gov. Rauner:
“When an allegation of abuse or neglect comes in about a child, state workers like me are the ones who knock on the door. My co-workers and I see the harm the governor is causing by refusing to agree to a budget. We want compromise, not further conflict that hurts children and families.” Stephen Mittons, child protective investigator
“Over the last year, Governor Rauner have been pushing so called ‘Right-to-Work’ zones in Illinois. He wants us to think that these policies will benefit workers. Instead, it is a power grab to move us into part-time positions, offshore our jobs, cut back on health and safety protections in the workplace, and pay us less.” Terrence Neal, painter, Aurora
“Our students are predominantly African-American and face challenges in their communities, from crime to hunger to poverty and racism. It makes me angry that the governor would allow these students —who so many have given up on—to suffer, all because of his obsessive political agenda against my union.” Gabriel Gomez, professor, Chicago State University
“Instead of punishing the least among us by your failure to execute a budget, would you please make an effort to improve the quality of life for our citizens?” Jeffrey Maher, firefighter, Galesburg
“It’s time for Governor Rauner to stop trying to sell us on a bad deal and get to work on making sure we get a fair shake.” Terry Biggs, steelworker, Granite City
“When home life overwhelms a child, too often, they lose touch with their lifeline: their school. This can be the life-changer, because education is that one thing that can help them overcome problems to become contributing citizens.” Annice Brave, high school teacher in southern Illinois
“Governor Rauner has broken the child care and home healthcare programs and brought dangerous instability to the social services safety net in Illinois.” Robert Taylor, home health care worker
