Union: Job cuts would violate deal with Quinn
CHICAGO — A major state employee union says Gov. Pat Quinn would violate his agreement with workers if he follows through on threatened layoffs.
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees responded Tuesday to reports that Quinn is planning "reductions" in state workers.
Quinn says the cuts are necessary because lawmakers didn't appropriate enough money to cover state expenses for the rest of the fiscal year. He didn't offer specifics.
AFSCME Executive Director Henry Bayer says reductions would violate the union's agreement with Quinn reached last year. That deal barred such cuts in exchange for the union delaying pay raises and agreeing to come up with millions of dollars in savings elsewhere in the budget.
Bayer says cuts would have a "dire impact on the maintenance of public safety."