|
 Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker just agreed to a new contract for
state employees represented by American Federation of State, County and
Municipal Employees Council 31. Voting to ratify the contract ends June 21.
But by logic employed by AFSCME Council 31 during the recent fight over an
Illinois progressive tax amendment, some of the contract’s most costly
provisions aren’t fair to middle-class members. The group that wants to “soak
the rich” is making its rich employees richer, and adding costs at a higher rate
for its middle-class members.
For example, increases to base salary are provided at a flat rate:
-
5% on January 1, 2020
-
1% on July 1, 2020
-
95% on July 1, 2021
-
95% on July 1, 2022.
But that type of flat rate structure means members with higher
salaries will see more lucrative raises than those who make less.
Compare, for example, a physician specialist in the Department of Human Services
making $147,360 a year, versus a correctional officer in the Department of
Corrections making just $48,432 a year.
Between Jan. 1, 2020, and July 1, 2022, the physician will see his or her base
salary rise by over $17,600. On the other hand, the corrections officer will see
his or her base salary rise by just over $5,800 during the same time. Both
workers will also reportedly receive the same one-time bonus of $2,500 under the
contract.
[to top of second column] |
Earlier this year, AFSCME Council 31 backed a
constitutional amendment that will place a progressive tax amendment
on the ballot in 2020. If approved by voters, it would abolish the
current flat tax rate structure in Illinois. The union told its
members that a progressive income tax amendment would “make rich
people pay their fair share, while giving working people a break.”
Yet the union doesn’t show the same concern for giving its
lower-paid members a “break.”
AFSCME’s prioritization of its wealthier members isn’t limited to
raises.
Under the new contract, the lowest-paid members will pay a greater
percentage of their salary toward health insurance contributions
than do its wealthier members.
For example, a member making $30,200 a year will pay $67 a month –
or $804 a year – for health insurance under a Blue Advantage HMO.
This amounts to 2.7% of the worker’s annual salary. A member making
over $125,000 a year pays $226 a month – or $2,712 a year – for the
same insurance, which is 2.2% of that worker’s salary.
In other words, those making less will pay a greater percentage of
their income for health insurance.
This type of structure is in place for each of the plans offered.
While AFSCME is framing the contract as a win for workers, it
doesn’t seem AFSCME is living by the same “fairness” principles it
demands others follow.
Click here to respond to the editor about this article |
