(THE STATE OF ILLINOIS) - Republican State of Illinois Comptroller Leslie Munger and Democratic Attorney General Lisa Madigan Both Agree That GOP Governor Bruce Rauner’s Executive Order Intended to Invalidate Fair-Share Provisions in State Law and Union Contracts is Illegal - That According to the Influential Capitol Fax Newsletter, Which Broke the News On Friday (February 13) and From Following Media Reports From The Chicago Sun-Times and Statewide Radio.

Comptroller Munger’s Office Indicates the Law Requires Her to Send Fair-Share Payments to the Relevant Unions That Represent State Employees, According to the News Reports.  “We Agree With the Comptroller,” Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s Spokeswoman said. “Fair Share Fees are Constitutional Under the Current Law and She Must Follow the Law.”

Fair Share Agreements Ensure All Workers Who Benefit From Union Representation Pay Their Fair Share of the Costs of That Representation - Negotiating and Enforcing the Union Contract - Even if They Choose Not to Join the Union.

Fair Share Payments Do Not Support Any Political Activity.

“AFSCME (American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees) Encourages Every Union-Represented Employee to Become a ‘Full Dues’-Paying Member,” AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch said, “But ‘Contrary’ to Governor Rauner’s Claims, ‘No Employee’ is ‘Forced’ to Join the Union.  Employees Have the Option Not To Join and to Pay Only the ‘Fair Share’ Fee.  It’s Gratifying to Know That Two of Our State's Constitutional Officers are ‘Clearly Committed’ to Upholding the Constitution.  That They Include Both a Democrat and a Republican Shows That ‘Preserving the Integrity’ of Our Democracy Isn't a ‘Partisan or Political Issue.’  No Elected Official Has the ‘Right’ to Place Themselves ‘Above the Law.’  We’ve said Governor Rauner's Executive Order Was Clearly ‘Illegal’ and ‘Meant Solely’ to ‘Strip’ Workers of Their Ability to Have a ‘Voice’ in the Decisions That Affect Their Lives.  State Employees Throughout Illinois Will Welcome Comptroller Munger and Attorney General Madigan's Determination That the Order Should Not Stand.”

Since the Governor Issued His Executive Order On February 9th, the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees’ (AFSCME) Local Unions Have Reported an Increasing Rate of Inquiries From State Employees Who Currently Pay Fair Share Fees and Now Want to Join the Union, Recognizing the Governor’s Executive Order for What it Plainly is - an Attempt to Weaken the Union and Drive Down Workers’ Wages and Benefits.

AFSCME Council 31 Director Lynch said the Governor’s Actions are Particularly Disturbing Given the State’s Current Fiscal Woes:  “He Should be Working to Bring Illinois Citizens ‘Together’ Rather Than Trying to ‘Foster Divisions and Animosity.’  We Renew Our Pledge to Work Constructively With ‘Anyone of Good Faith’ to Move Beyond the Governor's ‘Polarizing Attacks’ and Begin to Address Our State's ‘Real’ Challenges."

You Can Directly Access This Labor News Story at: http://www.afscme31.org/news/comptroller-attorney-general-say-rauner-order-striking-fair-share-fees-isnt-legal