AFSCME, Illinois state employees' union, urges Quinn to drop layoffs

[August 18, 2009]  SPRINGFIELD (AP) -- Illinois' largest public employees union is urging Gov. Pat Quinn not to lay off thousands of workers, despite the budget crunch.

Henry Bayer, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, said after a meeting with Quinn on Monday that layoffs would "hurt families and our economy."

Quinn says he must lay off 2,600 workers to help cut $1 billion in spending from the out-of-balance fiscal plan.

A spokeswoman says Quinn continues to urge "shared sacrifice."

Changes to the union's contract would require negotiations. Bayer says local union presidents will meet in September and consider any Quinn proposals.

[Associated Press]

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