House approves framework allowing legislative staff to unionize

House approves framework allowing legislative staff to unionize

By HANNAH MEISEL
Capitol News Illinois
news@capitolnewsillinois.com

SPRINGFIELD – Democrats in the Illinois House on Wednesday approved a measure to allow certain legislative staffers to unionize, following in the recent footsteps of lawmakers in California and Oregon.

House Bill 4148 passed 74-35 and now goes to the Senate, where leaders have not yet revealed whether they plan to take it up during lawmakers’ two-week fall session. The vote was the only significant action the House took this week before leaving Springfield and canceling Thursday’s session.

Since last year, staff members under House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, have been seeking voluntary recognition for their union in order to negotiate on wages, hours and other working conditions. 

Read more: Welch introduces bill to allow legislative staff to unionize

The Illinois Legislative Staff Association went public with its union drive this spring, followed by months of criticizing the speaker for allegedly refusing to engage with the effort. But last month, Welch announced he supported the staffers’ pursuit and introduced a bill to change current state law that labor experts say specifically prohibits legislative staffers from unionizing.

In a committee hearing Tuesday, Welch sat side by side with the staffers as he presented the bill. The panel also heard from a pair of witnesses who testified that voters’ approval last year of the “Workers’ Rights Amendment” to the state constitution didn’t change the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act’s exclusion of legislative employees from the right to unionize.

Read more: Illinois House Speaker’s staff could test limits of Workers’ Rights Amendment

“But the amendment does not establish the framework under which that can be done,” said Mark Bennett, a lawyer at Chicago-based firm Laner Muchin, which specializes in labor law. 

During debate on the bill Wednesday, Welch told the story of his family voting to remain in the suburbs of Chicago after his father, a union factory worker, was told his company was moving to Georgia – a right-to-work state where he could’ve kept his job but would no longer be unionized.

“He had to work two full-time jobs to make the same amount of money he made in one union job,” Welch said of his father. “I can tell you why I believe in unions…Because unions have always provided a path for people to do better. A path to the middle class. I saw what it did for my family.”

Republicans largely voted against the measure, save for four who voted “present.” Before ultimately voting no, Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said he hoped a union contract might curtail the number “all-nighters” the General Assembly had grown accustomed to pulling in recent years when passing major legislation including state budgets and criminal justice reforms.

“In my opinion (they) have not resulted in very good outcomes at a policy level, and they certainly weren’t (a) very good environment for our staff to work,” he said.

In a statement Wednesday, a representative of the union organizing effort said that while there are still details to iron out, the group is confident that “any differences are within reach.”

“We are appreciative of the lines of communication Speaker and his aides have opened, and hope to cultivate a similar relationship with President Harmon and his team going forward,” ILSA organizer Brady Burden said.

Remaining points of contention include whether there would need to be a separate union for staff from each of the four legislative caucuses, and if staffers would be allowed to strike during legislative session days. Currently, the bill prohibits strikes during months when legislative days are scheduled. 

In an interview Tuesday, Burden said a strike would always be a last resort for the union. 

“People don’t like to strike,” he said. “You are forfeiting pay. You’re putting yourself out there.”

“So the idea that restricting when we can – basically dictating – when workers can or can’t strike doesn’t really make much sense to us,” he added.

Earlier this month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure allowing legislative staff to unionize there after years of stalled efforts. Oregon became the first state to allow such organizing in 2021, though Maine has allowed nonpartisan legislative employees the right to unionize for more than two decades. 

Similar legislative staff union drives in New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Minnesota and New Hampshire are in various stages of organizing.

Capitol News Illinois’ Jerry Nowicki and Peter Hancock contributed. 

 

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

 

Leave a Comment





Local News

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound November 13, 2024

Father Martin Marren

Local priest under investigation for alleged abuse

A priest who has served at several southwest suburban parishes is under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. The Rev. Martin “Marty” Marren has been directed to step aside while the investigation takes place, according to the Chicago Archdiocese. Marren reportedly said he is innocent but agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Marren…

Trina Rodriguez, 41, of Chicago, was charged with financial exploitation of the elderly after police say she pawned a cherished gold watch belonging to her 93-year-old client in Palos Heights. Photo provided

Caregiver charged in elderly exploitation in Palos Heights gold watch heist

A 41-year-old Chicago woman was arrested Monday on charges of financial exploitation of the elderly after allegedly stealing and pawning a 93-year-old Palos Heights resident’s watch. Police said the victim reported the theft Oct. 24, believing an in-home caregiver was responsible. Investigators used a description of the watch to locate it at a local pawn…

As guests show their respect, the Veterans Day Ceremonial Color Guard marches into the Palos Hills Community Center on Saturday. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

Palos Hills Honors Veterans with Heartfelt Memorial Service

With reverence and gratitude, Palos Hills honored its veterans Saturday at a moving memorial service, where community members gathered to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve. Veterans, local officials, and residents filled the Palos Hills Community Center, joining in a collective expression of respect for military service and sacrifice. The…

basketball stock

Basketball 2024-25: The Southwest Regional Publishing X/Twitter previews

Editor’s note: Coaches in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area are encouraged to submit preseason information by email to: mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Boys Acero-Soto: Wolf Pack looking to take step forward after 1-win season. Top 2 scorers return in senior Gs Cruz Lopez, Tony Macias. Also expected to contribute: G Favio Hernandez, C Alexander Bahena, PG Enrique…

Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott had 204 total yards and five touchdowns in a 48-15 win against St. Charles North on Nov. 9. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel race into Class 7A quarterfinals

Jack Elliott is running again, and that spells trouble for the rest of Class 7A. Elliott, Mount Carmel’s senior quarterback and a Vanderbilt commit, missed time with an injury in the regular season. He was limited to passing when he returned. But in the Caravan’s 48-15 win against visiting St. Charles North on Nov. 9,…

Logo-Lyons

Travis Stamm’s big night helps unbeaten Lyons roll

Travis Stamm of Lyons was noticeable in the first half Nov. 8, grabbing a pair of touchdown passes, but the savvy senior noticed something that the average fan likely did not. The Lions, in his estimation, were flat, even leading Downers Grove South by a pair of touchdowns. So, like a good captain, he took…

Logo-Marist

Loyola rallies to end Marist’s season in Class 8A second round

The deeper you go in the playoffs, the smaller the margin of error becomes. Marist found out how small Nov. 9 on their cozy home field. The RedHawks made only a handful of mistakes in the course of 48 minutes in their Class 8A second-round game against Loyola, but those miscues cost them dearly. The…

Logo-St. Rita

Steven Armbruster sets TD record as St. Rita advances

What stands out about St. Rita quarterback Steven Armbruster to Mustangs coach Martin Hopkins?  “Steven works hard,” Hopkins said. “And he prepares very hard. When you work hard like he does in practice, the more comfortable you are on game day and that makes things easier for us. “Steven puts the team in good positions…

football-stock

IHSA football playoffs: Second-round results, quarterfinal pairings

With seedings and records in parentheses. Class 7A and Class 8A are seeded 1-32, while the other six classes are seeded in two 1-16 brackets. Second round Class 8A Loyola 24, Marist 20 Lyons 63, Downers Grove South 20 Class 7A St. Rita 21, Willowbrook 9 Mount Carmel 48. St. Charles North 15 Class 6A,…

Neighbors

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound November 13, 2024

Father Martin Marren

Local priest under investigation for alleged abuse

A priest who has served at several southwest suburban parishes is under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. The Rev. Martin “Marty” Marren has been directed to step aside while the investigation takes place, according to the Chicago Archdiocese. Marren reportedly said he is innocent but agreed to cooperate with the investigation. Marren…

Trina Rodriguez, 41, of Chicago, was charged with financial exploitation of the elderly after police say she pawned a cherished gold watch belonging to her 93-year-old client in Palos Heights. Photo provided

Caregiver charged in elderly exploitation in Palos Heights gold watch heist

A 41-year-old Chicago woman was arrested Monday on charges of financial exploitation of the elderly after allegedly stealing and pawning a 93-year-old Palos Heights resident’s watch. Police said the victim reported the theft Oct. 24, believing an in-home caregiver was responsible. Investigators used a description of the watch to locate it at a local pawn…

As guests show their respect, the Veterans Day Ceremonial Color Guard marches into the Palos Hills Community Center on Saturday. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

Palos Hills Honors Veterans with Heartfelt Memorial Service

With reverence and gratitude, Palos Hills honored its veterans Saturday at a moving memorial service, where community members gathered to pay tribute to those who have served and continue to serve. Veterans, local officials, and residents filled the Palos Hills Community Center, joining in a collective expression of respect for military service and sacrifice. The…

basketball stock

Basketball 2024-25: The Southwest Regional Publishing X/Twitter previews

Editor’s note: Coaches in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area are encouraged to submit preseason information by email to: mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Boys Acero-Soto: Wolf Pack looking to take step forward after 1-win season. Top 2 scorers return in senior Gs Cruz Lopez, Tony Macias. Also expected to contribute: G Favio Hernandez, C Alexander Bahena, PG Enrique…

Mount Carmel quarterback Jack Elliott had 204 total yards and five touchdowns in a 48-15 win against St. Charles North on Nov. 9. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Jack Elliott, Mount Carmel race into Class 7A quarterfinals

Jack Elliott is running again, and that spells trouble for the rest of Class 7A. Elliott, Mount Carmel’s senior quarterback and a Vanderbilt commit, missed time with an injury in the regular season. He was limited to passing when he returned. But in the Caravan’s 48-15 win against visiting St. Charles North on Nov. 9,…

Logo-Lyons

Travis Stamm’s big night helps unbeaten Lyons roll

Travis Stamm of Lyons was noticeable in the first half Nov. 8, grabbing a pair of touchdown passes, but the savvy senior noticed something that the average fan likely did not. The Lions, in his estimation, were flat, even leading Downers Grove South by a pair of touchdowns. So, like a good captain, he took…

Logo-Marist

Loyola rallies to end Marist’s season in Class 8A second round

The deeper you go in the playoffs, the smaller the margin of error becomes. Marist found out how small Nov. 9 on their cozy home field. The RedHawks made only a handful of mistakes in the course of 48 minutes in their Class 8A second-round game against Loyola, but those miscues cost them dearly. The…

Logo-St. Rita

Steven Armbruster sets TD record as St. Rita advances

What stands out about St. Rita quarterback Steven Armbruster to Mustangs coach Martin Hopkins?  “Steven works hard,” Hopkins said. “And he prepares very hard. When you work hard like he does in practice, the more comfortable you are on game day and that makes things easier for us. “Steven puts the team in good positions…

football-stock

IHSA football playoffs: Second-round results, quarterfinal pairings

With seedings and records in parentheses. Class 7A and Class 8A are seeded 1-32, while the other six classes are seeded in two 1-16 brackets. Second round Class 8A Loyola 24, Marist 20 Lyons 63, Downers Grove South 20 Class 7A St. Rita 21, Willowbrook 9 Mount Carmel 48. St. Charles North 15 Class 6A,…