CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) - Champaign County workers represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME have voted to authorize a strike if necessary, showing unity for fair contract negotiations.
At a news conference, AFSCME Local 900 president Cecelia Phillips announced that 90% of eligible employees participated in the vote, with 96% of those votes in favor of authorizing a strike. The vote took place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"Nobody wants to strike—we just want to do our jobs, and to be paid fairly," Phillips said. "But with our 96% vote to authorize a strike if necessary, we are saying loud and clear that we are serious, and we’re prepared to do what’s necessary to secure the contract we deserve."
The union's previous agreement with the county expired at the end of last year.
According to AFSCME, after nearly 150 days without a new agreement county representatives at the bargaining table still have not offered the fair wage increases and affordable health insurance necessary to finalize a new contract.
"It’s the lack of leadership from management’s side of the table—their lack of initiative, urgency, and ultimately their lack of respect for the women and men who do the real work of Champaign County government—that has brought us here today," AFSCME Council 31 staff representative Natalie Nagel said.
AFSCME members are employed across various county departments, including in the Courthouse, Brookens Administrative Center, the Highway Department, Animal Control, the Coroner’s office, and the County Jail.
"Champaign County works because we do. And make no mistake, without us on the job, county services cannot function," Phillips said. "County leaders have a choice: If they continue down the same path, we are prepared to stand together and strike for fairness. Or they can meet us at the table and make a fair agreement their priority."
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