Effort to Take Member Jobs Out of Union Thwarted

Nearly 200 IDOT technical professionals targeted for reclassification that would remove them from the union are safe, thanks to a relentless effort by Local 916 and state Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).

Senator Manar, along with Local 916 governmental affairs director Trevor Clatfelter, drove support of Senate Bill 1910, which removed targeted IDOT positions from Public Act 098-0100, the “Management Act” legislation passed last Spring. The Management Act removes all positions considered management from union representation. It’s in response to the massive rate of unionization that has taken place in Illinois – nearly 98% of public workers are now in unions, driven by the lack of salary increases for those not covered by a union contract.

“There were 17 job classifications targeted at IDOT that affected our members. We maintained from the beginning that they were not upper level management positions as described by the new law,” said Trevor Clatfelter. “In the end, the Senate (passed 47–8) and the House (passed 89–29) agreed with us.”

Clatfelter said the reclassification was to take effect at the end of January, 2014, so the members were not actually taken out of the union, thanks to quick action by Local 916 and Senator Manar. Also assisting were other affected unions – Laborers, and Operating Engineers.

Teamsters Local 916 proudly represents over 4,000 hardworking men and women throughout the State of Illinois in the private and public sectors.