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Local Union Rallies Against Quinn's Salary Cuts
The head of a local union being affected by Governor Pat Quinn's decision to cancel pay raises for tens of thousands of state employees says that decision means something he's heard before: yet another promise broken by state government.

Local 1274 of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees protested outside Henry Hill Correctional Center Tuesday as part of a statewide effort by AFSCME Council 31 to hold informational pickets on Quinn's budget-related move.

Local head Ed Anderson tells WGIL raises haven't happened before, so enough is enough.

"We've deferred these raises three times to save the state money," Anderson said, also expressing concern about the proposed taking away of collective bargaining rights.

Anderson tells WGIL Quinn's own hiring practices, as he sees them, tells him the raises are needed, especially due to a long-time problem at Hill and other prisons.

"We're extreme understaffed," Anderson said. "The Governor said that, you know, his top aide that he gave 40% increase in raise to for doing two jobs...there's correctional officers out here and secretaries and counselors that are all doing three and four jobs."

As for understaffing, Anderson says the prison currently has 1900 inmates and 190 officers.

That's compared to 1800 inmates and 240 guards in 2000 -- leaving safety concerns for the officers currently.

The Galesburg Education Association showed up to the picket Tuesday and rallied with the union.
07 15 11 by Newsroom
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