Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner has vetoed legislation to allow an arbitrator to settle state-employee wages and working conditions if union negotiations stall. In his veto message, the Republican governor called the bill "dangerous," adding it would replace his bargaining power with a union-friendly arbitrator.
AFSCME's state council Executive Director Roberta Lynch says the bill is a compromise to avoid a strike.
The veto comes as the Rauner administration and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees present their case during a weeks-long hearing with the state's labor board as to whether negotiations have reached an impasse.
That determination would give Rauner the power to impose his own terms for a contract to replace the one that expired June 30. Ruling Democrats can try to override the veto.
