Union, Governor See Negotiations Differently

The rift between Governor Bruce Rauner and the state's public employee union has escalated. Rauner Friday morning announced he's asking the state labor board to decide if negotiations with AFSCME have reached an impasse. Just days ago, Rauner -- a Republican -- said his bargaining team is spinning its wheels. After many months and 67 sessions, he claims: "AFSCME has refused to compromise off of their starting position, which was status quo with major increases in compensation, and other issues." The union says that's false. It's emblematic of the back-and-forth between the two sides. Now, Rauner wants the state labor relations board to make it official, and declare an impasse. AFSCME will ask for the opposite; spokesman Anders Lindall has said there isn't one: "There's room to find common ground if the governor shares our commitment to it." The process could take months. If the board ultimately sides with the governor, union members would have to accept Rauner's final offer -- one that AFSCME doesn't like -- or move to go on strike.