Anders Lindall, Director of Public Affairs for AFSCME Council 31, and CeCe Phillips, President of Local 900, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss their recent contract victory in Champaign County, Illinois. They highlighted the power of solidarity, effective messaging and the willingness to strike in securing significant wage increases and benefits for county workers.
Phillips explained that Local 900, which represents county workers, relied on strong public support thanks to a crucial messaging strategy during negotiations. She said the messaging emphasized that "the county works because we do," and it highlighted the unacceptable situation of county workers relying on public assistance, which helped the union garner community backing. Lindall added that the Local's aggressive public outreach, including informational pickets and news conferences, helped maintain pressure on the county board throughout the process.
He then spoke about AFSCME's unified approach, dubbed the "big green machine," which provided critical support to Local 900. With 100,000 active and retired members backing the 150 Champaign County employees, the threat of a strike carried significant weight. Lindall said the solidarity, combined with an almost unanimous strike authorization vote, forced the county board to take the union's demands seriously and ultimately led to a favorable contract.
The new contract addresses key issues, including raising the minimum starting wage to $18 per hour, guaranteeing a $3,000 retroactive bonus and securing paid rabies vaccines for animal control wardens. While the agreement is only for two years, Phillips called it a significant victory for the workers and emphasized that it sets a strong foundation for future negotiations.
Listen to the full episode for more insights on this impactful labor victory in Illinois.