By Adam Studzinski
LEXINGTON – Lexington’s city council on Monday delayed voting on a resolution to support Gov. Bruce Rauner’s “turnaround agenda.”
This includes Rauner’s idea to let communities vote on whether they want to be “right-to-work” zones. More than one hundred local labor union members packed the meeting to express their displeasure for the resolution.
“He (Rauner) can talk all he wants about these right-to-work zones and ending prevailing rate,” said Lexington resident Gary Leak. “All it is is a scheme to enable rich guys like himself to make even more money at the expense of the working class.”
Leak added right-to-work zones are a way to “get around” unions.
“Right-to-work states, they have a lot more workplace injuries and deaths, just because the union is weak,” said Leak. “The people make, on average, about $6,000 a year less.”
Mayor John Mohr said the current practices in Illinois aren’t working.
“The Illinois Municipal League is providing this resolution to us. It’s not illegal for us to consider an advisory-only resolution that’s supportive of reforms to address unfunded mandates, prevailing wage requirements, workers compensation costs, collective bargaining, and some other ideas.”
It’s the second time the council has delayed the vote. The difference this time is it won’t be considered again for at least eight months.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].