PEORIA, Ill -- 'An act of hostility' that's what AFSCME local 31 representative Tim Lavelle said of Governor Quinn's unprecedented move to terminate Illinois' contract with state's largest employee's union.
Lavelle said the move has no real impact as all of the working conditions are covered under state law.
However, he says it shows lack of respect from the Governor and will make settling the contract more difficult.
A spokesman for the Governor said AFSCME never offered any proposals to help deal with the state's financial crisis in eleven months of bargaining.
Lavelle said before Governor Quinn's decision Tuesday, AFSCME council had proposed a wage freeze.
"Our folks are worried about whether they are going to continue to have jobs and whether or not we're going to have to strike in order to get a fair and equitable contract. It just adds more turmoil to the workforce that's already there," said Lavelle.
He said the state and the union are set to be back at the bargaining table December 11th through 13th.
AFSCME represents more than 40,000 members state-wide, including correctional officers, veterans' affairs and adult and family services employees.
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