AFSCME 31 Tentative Agreement: What You Need to Know

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 31 represents thousands of workers in Illinois, including clerical, technical, professional, and service employees. The union has recently reached a tentative agreement with the State of Illinois on a new contract, which will impact thousands of workers.

Here`s what you need to know about the AFSCME 31 tentative agreement:

1. Three-Year Contract

The new contract will cover a three-year period, from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2025.

2. Wage Increases

Under the new agreement, members of AFSCME 31 will receive a 2% wage increase on July 1, 2022, and a 2.5% increase on July 1, 2023. In addition, employees who have worked for the state for at least 10 years will receive a one-time $2,500 bonus on July 1, 2022.

3. Health Insurance

The tentative agreement also includes changes to health insurance benefits. The state will continue to cover the full cost of employee-only health insurance premiums. However, employees who choose to cover dependents will see an increase in their contributions. The union also negotiated improvements in dental and vision benefits.

4. No Changes to Pension Benefits

The tentative agreement does not include any changes to pension benefits for current employees. However, new employees hired after July 1, 2022, will be placed in a new tier of benefits that includes a higher retirement age and reduced cost-of-living increases.

5. Other Provisions

The tentative agreement includes several other provisions, including:

– The establishment of a labor-management committee to address workplace safety issues.

– The creation of a pilot program to allow state employees to work from home.

– Increased funding for the AFSCME Training and Development Institute.

What`s Next?

The tentative agreement must still be ratified by members of AFSCME 31 and approved by the Illinois General Assembly. If approved, the new contract will take effect on July 1, 2022.

Conclusion

The AFSCME 31 tentative agreement is an important step forward for state employees in Illinois. The contract includes wage increases, improvements in health insurance benefits, and other important provisions. However, the agreement is still subject to ratification and approval, so stay tuned for further developments.