• Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • World News
  • Second Amendment
Monday, July 14, 2025
Illinois Review
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • World News
  • Second Amendment
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • World News
  • Second Amendment
No Result
View All Result
Illinois Review
No Result
View All Result
Home Illinois News

Andersen: Why I opted out of AFSCME, and why other state workers should do the same

Illinois Review by Illinois Review
March 2, 2017
in Illinois News
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
3
26
SHARES
436
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Jim Andersen

You might also like

Opinion: The IL GOP Belongs to the People — Not to Power-Hungry Insiders

Economos: Illinois’ Pension Crisis – A Tale of Mismanagement

Mayor Johnson: Chicago ‘Police Dept. Will Not Ever Cooperate with ICE’

By Jim Andersen - 

I am a state worker in Illinois. In my line of work, I help people who are unable to care for themselves because they have severe mental illnesses. They live at the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna, Illinois. 

My typical day includes making sure six individuals are fed, groomed, toileted and kept safe from harm. I’m proud of the work I do, and I’m proud to work with colleagues who take their jobs seriously.

But I’m not proud of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the union that claims to represent me.

AFSCME leaders recently announced the results of a strike authorization vote. They said 81 percent of voting members authorized them to call a strike and that “right around” 80 percent of state workers had voted.

The union claims to have its members’ interests at heart when asking us to “stand tall together” in support of a strike. But I see AFSCME’s desire to strike as being in only the best interest of the union. It was the union’s desire to strike, in fact, that had me ultimately decide to opt out of union membership and become a “fair share payer” instead.

Although I am no longer a member of the union, I’m still forced to pay the cost of AFSCME’s representation in my employment, but I do not pay an added amount for the union’s support of politicians or political activities. My extra money can now be used to support candidates and activities of my own choosing—or stay in my pocket.

State-employed AFSCME workers should consider these key points as union leaders head us toward a strike:

  • State workers who refuse to cross the picket line will lose up to $8,000 every month in wages and state benefit contributions. During a strike, striking workers will have to pay all insurance and benefit costs themselves – while also receiving no paychecks for an indeterminate length of time.
  • Illinois law could allow striking workers to be replaced. Your job might not be there when the strike is over.
  • The union can punish AFSCME members who cross the picket line and go to work. The union can fine them any amount decided on through internal union procedure. But fair share payers such as myself cannot be fined or punished for continuing to go to work.

Naturally, I enjoy the added benefits provided by AFSCME’s contract with the state. But I never asked the union to enter into that contract as a condition of my employment.

Illinois state workers are the highest-paid state workers in the nation when adjusting for cost of living, and we receive health care benefits at a cost virtually unheard of in the private sector. Our compensation package is more than fair, and AFSCME should acknowledge that.

That’s another reason I don’t want to strike. Illinois is in a terrible financial mess. AFSCME doesn't seem to care, though, and the union’s arrogance could end up costing its members dearly. In addition, a strike could seriously impair the care given to individuals at Choate and other centers throughout the state. 

As AFSCME urges a strike, state workers need to know that all contract rights and protections remain available to them as fair share payers.

Fair share payers can cross AFSCME picket lines without punishment, continue to receive full wages and benefits during AFSCME strikes, and sleep easy knowing their job will not be taken away when the strike is over. 

Any AFSCME member can become a fair share payer by just following the prompts at www.afscme.solutions. You’ll be glad you did.

Related

Share10Tweet7
Previous Post

Weyermuller: Is Target feeling the Silent Majority Boycott?

Next Post

Federal officials search Caterpillar’s Illinois facilities

Illinois Review

Illinois Review

Founded in 2005, Illinois Review is the leading perspective and source of conservative news, opinion and information in Illinois. Follow Illinois Review on X at @IllinoisReview.

Recommended For You

Opinion: The IL GOP Belongs to the People — Not to Power-Hungry Insiders

by Jacqueline Garretson
July 11, 2025
0
Opinion: The IL GOP Belongs to the People — Not to Power-Hungry Insiders

By Jacqueline Garretson, Opinion ContributorA few months ago, I had the opportunity to speak on a podcast where I shared my personal journey in politics, how I became...

Read moreDetails

Economos: Illinois’ Pension Crisis – A Tale of Mismanagement

by James P. Economos, DDS
July 8, 2025
0
Economos: Illinois’ Pension Crisis – A Tale of Mismanagement

By James P. Economos, DDS, Opinion Contributor There’s been constant debate over Illinois' pension system – and for good reason. It remains chronically underfunded and plagued with issues...

Read moreDetails

Mayor Johnson: Chicago ‘Police Dept. Will Not Ever Cooperate with ICE’

by Illinois Review
July 8, 2025
0
Mayor Johnson: Chicago ‘Police Dept. Will Not Ever Cooperate with ICE’

By Illinois ReviewAt a Tuesday morning press conference at Chicago City Hall, Mayor Brandon Johnson — whose approval rating hovers around six percent — reiterated that local law...

Read moreDetails

Chicago AM560 Axes Local Morning Radio Personality Amy Jacobson, Keeps Florida-based Host in Cost-Cutting Move

by Illinois Review
July 1, 2025
0
Chicago AM560 Axes Local Morning Radio Personality Amy Jacobson, Keeps Florida-based Host in Cost-Cutting Move

By Illinois ReviewIn a shocking cost-cutting move Tuesday, Chicago’s AM560 The Answer terminated longtime morning host Amy Jacobson, as the struggling conservative station grapples with declining relevance –...

Read moreDetails

JB Pritzker Receives 2% in Presidential Poll, Ranks Lowest in Minority Support Among Democrats

by Illinois Review
June 30, 2025
0
JB Pritzker Receives 2% in Presidential Poll, Ranks Lowest in Minority Support Among Democrats

By Illinois ReviewIn one of the first nationwide hypothetical polls for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, Illinois Governor and billionaire JB Pritzker ranks at the bottom, receiving the...

Read moreDetails
Next Post

Federal officials search Caterpillar's Illinois facilities

Please login to join discussion

Best Dental Group

Related News

IL Freedom Caucus calls on Lurie Children’s Hospital to cease gender services for kids

October 27, 2022

Beckman: Is the Brigham Young University racial slur controversy another hoax?

October 27, 2022

Salvi polling shows closer race

October 27, 2022

Browse by Category

  • America First
  • Education
  • Faith & Family
  • Foreign Policy
  • Health Care
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • Opinion
  • Science
  • Second Amendment
  • TRENDING
  • US NEWS
  • US Politics
  • World News
Illinois Review

© 2024 llinois Review LLC Editor in Chief Mark Vargas Publisher Thomas McCullagh Chief Counsel Scott Kaspar

Navigate Site

  • Checkout
  • Home
  • Home – mobile
  • Login/Register
  • Login/Register
  • My account
  • My Account-
  • My Account- – mobile

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Illinois News
  • Illinois Politics
  • US Politics
  • Health Care
  • US NEWS
  • America First
  • Opinion
  • TRENDING
  • Education
  • Foreign Policy
  • Second Amendment
  • Faith & Family
  • Science
  • World News

© 2024 llinois Review LLC Editor in Chief Mark Vargas Publisher Thomas McCullagh Chief Counsel Scott Kaspar

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?