Quinn and Brady Spar Over AFSCME Deal

By aaroncynic in News on Sep 23, 2010 2:40PM

Governor Quinn reached an agreement with AFSCME, the union which represents thousands of state workers this week that could save the state nearly $200 million. The deal brokered by Quinn’s office states that the administration won’t layoff any state workers or close offices until June 30, 2012. The union will make changes to its health insurance plan to save $70 million and slash $50 million in expenses by reducing overtime, furlough days and deferring pay raises.

Rival gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady blasted the agreement, news of which came forward just days after AFSCME endorsed Quinn for governor. "We think it's unconscionable. This smacks so much of pay-to-play, and it's scandalous” said Brady. Quinn and Brady both took their talking points outside after a closed door meeting earlier in the week at the Chicago Club. Brady harped on Governor Quinn for the timing of the endorsement while Quinn said Brady was “full of baloney.”

While the timing of the announcement couldn't have been worse, Progress Illinois points out that bargaining agreements such as this do not happen overnight. Negotiations began more than a year ago after AFSCME filed suit over the proposed layoffs. Brady's complaint that a new governor's financial flexibility would be hindered by the deal isn't exactly all that simple, since unions have entered into bargaining agreements that stretch through different administrations before.

If anything the “controversy” surrounding the deal seems to be little more than campaign fodder for both sides. The deal itself will save the state millions and keeps thousands of people away from the unemployment lines. That sounds like a win for both sides to us.