Wednesday is Governor's Day at the state fair.  But as IPR’s Amanda Vinicky reports, Pat Quinn should brace to be greeted with some jeers.

 

Unions are traditionally allies of Democrats.  The state's largest public employees union, AFSCME, helped Quinn win the governor's office. But a coalition of labor unions--including those that represent state workers, teachers, police and nurses--will protest Quinn.

 

The unions are upset the governor is calling for a reduction in state employees' and teachers' pensions, a matter before the General Assembly on Friday.  Unions are also angry about budget cuts and Quinn's plans to close state facilities, cuts they say mean 4,000 people will lose their jobs. 

 

There's also on ongoing court dispute over pay raises the governor cancelled last summer. AFSCME members claim they were guaranteed the higher wages in their last contract.

 

All of those issues are weighing on current contract negotiations.  There's no agreement so far.

Except the administration and AFSCME have agreed to hire a federal mediator.  Republicans have their day at the state fair on Thursday.