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Governor Quinn still respects state workers

By WEEK Producer

Governor Quinn still respects state workers

December 6, 2012 Updated Dec 6, 2012 at 10:42 PM CDT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill -- After portraying state workers as overpaid and then terminating the union contract, Governor Pat Quinn now wants them to know he still respects them.

 

According to the Pantagraph, Quinn issued a one-page letter, this week, to about 49,000 employees under his control. In which, Quinn expresses his desire to work with the union members to help address the state's fiscal woes.

 

In November, Quinn did not renew the state's labor agreement with AFSCME. 

 

Quinn and the union have agreed to a pay freeze for the current fiscal year, but the governor wants to keep salaries flat for three years.

 

Although the cancellation of the contract has had no immediate impact on state operations, it was seen as another example of an attack on state workers.

 

Talks between the two sides resume Tuesday.

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