Catherwood LibraryILR School

In response to a major budget problem, Governor George Ryan of Illinois informed the leaders of the state?s largest public sector union this week that refusal to give up a contract-guaranteed raise later this year will lead to the layoff of 1,000 employees. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)---which represents the 45,000 government workers who are set to receive the raise--has replied that it will not allow the governor to make its members foot the bill for the state?s problems. AFSCME Executive Director Henry Bayer has made it clear that the while the union is willing to discuss alternative plans, it will not allow Ryan to use the threat of layoffs to extract concessions on raises that its membership deserves.