Asup strike news

Here are some recent news updates on the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) strike:

Latest Updates:

• September 14, 2023: The AFSCME strike, which began on September 9, has entered its fifth day. Over 1,400 workers in the state of Illinois have walked off the job, including healthcare workers, corrections officers, and social workers.
• September 12, 2023: The Illinois Governor's Office has announced that it will not negotiate with the striking workers until they return to their jobs. The governor's office has also offered to meet with union leaders to discuss the issues, but only if the workers return to work.
• September 10, 2023: The strike has spread to other states, with workers in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin also walking off the job. The strike is now affecting over 2,000 workers across the country.

Background:

• Reasons for the strike: The strike is over issues such as wages, benefits, and working conditions. AFSCME members are seeking higher wages, better health insurance, and improved working conditions.
• Contract negotiations: The union and the state of Illinois have been negotiating a new contract for over a year, but have been unable to reach an agreement. The union has accused the state of not taking their demands seriously, while the state has accused the union of being unreasonable.

Impact:

• Services affected: The strike has affected various services, including healthcare, corrections, and social services. Patients are being diverted to other hospitals, and some prisons are being understaffed.
• Economic impact: The strike is estimated to cost the state of Illinois over $1 million per day in lost productivity and revenue.

Reactions:

• Union leaders: AFSCME President Lee Saunders has said that the strike is necessary to protect the rights and benefits of union members. "We will not back down until we get a fair contract," he said.
• State officials: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has accused the union of being "irresponsible" and "selfish." "We will not be held hostage by a union that is more interested in striking than in negotiating," he said.