Catherwood LibraryILR School

Just outside Chicago, municipal workers in Will County went on strike Monday over pay and benefits in their new contract. Thus far, the union strike is barely noticeable, with most County offices operating without a break in services because management, temporary workers, and non-union employees are bearing the burden of filling in for the strikers. The contract, which was negotiated over the course of 15 months, would include a 2.5% pay increase in each of the next three years as well as cost of living increases between 0.5% and 1% each year, and the county would pick up 90% of the employees? health insurance costs. County employees say that they are frustrated because the past four years have seen no increase in salary, but rising healthcare costs.