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Community Corner

Will County Government continues to provide services; Reports 33% of AFSCME Local 1028 employees at work 1st day of strike

JOLIET-- Will County Executive Larry Walsh reported that based on attendance taken by County offices over 33% of AFSCME Local 1028 employees who were eligible to strike came to work on Monday despite the strike by their union.  These numbers contradict the estimates being reported by union leaders throughout the day.  Walsh said that county operations continued to operate smoothly on Day 2 of the work stoppage.

 

“I am very proud of all our employees that have remained on the job and are continuing to provide quality services to Will County residents,” said Walsh.  “I respect the right of the employees to strike, but I am truly disappointed at some of the reports I have received from many of our facilities regarding threats, name calling, and pounding on vehicles.  There is absolutely no reason for the treatment our residents and workers have encountered while coming into County buildings.”

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Walsh and the county's negotiation team have been meeting with AFSCME Local 1028 for over 15 months, the last 5 months with the aid of a federal mediator, and the main sticking point remains increased health care costs and wage increases.  The county returned to the bargaining table last week after giving its best and final offer, at the request of the federal mediator, in a good faith effort to avoid a strike.  However, the union has demonstrated an unwillingness to accept the county’s budgetary limitations and has continued its push for higher wages and lower insurance costs.

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“Picketers today at the Sunny Hill nursing home were hitting cars that were entering the facility and even jumped onto a vendor’s truck attempting to make a delivery of critical goods to the nursing home,” said Walsh.  “This type of behavior is not only dangerous but completely unacceptable and the Joliet Police department had to make repeated visits to instruct picketers to stay out of traffic and to allow visitors into buildings.”

 

Executive Walsh also reported that the County was successful in getting a number of critical positions deemed essential by the Illinois State Labor Relations Board and the Circuit Court, thereby requiring these staff people to return to work.  These include 911 dispatchers in the Sheriff’s department, deputy coroners per shift, Health Department Communicable Disease Investigators and Health Department Sanitarians.

 

 

“I was very happy to hear of the County’s success before the State Labor Board in getting these positions declared essential to county operations and to the health and safety of its residents,” said Walsh.  “These workers will join others who have chosen to return to work and keep county operations going.  We have seen more workers come to work today than Monday, and we expect this number to grow as the week continues.”

 

Walsh thanked the many County employees who have worked hard to prepare for a possible strike and said he has confidence in all of the elected officials, department heads, and other county staff who will continue to provide quality and friendly services to Will County residents during the strike.  Walsh also expressed his gratitude to the many Will County citizens who have sent letters of encouragement and support during the strike, many who have volunteered their help wherever needed.  

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