According to WGLT Attorney Stephen Yokich argued yesterday in court that Illinois state is violating the Illinois employment of strikers act. That act prevents employers from Contracting day laborers to ease the impact of strike.
Judge Rebecca Foley sided with the points of attorney Jeff Powers who represents the university. She said the act does not apply to public universities and that none of the companies contracted by ISU amid this strike are registered with the state as temporary agencies. She also noted it wouldn’t be fair to deny the university the ability to provide hygienic conditions and would compromise the welfare and health of students and employees. Ultimately the ruling allows for the university to continue using external vendors that supplement the university’s striking employees.
“For a second I was a little disheartened and then I thought, you know what this is AFSCME, this is Local 1110. We’ll just find another way,” AFSCME Picketor Tia Reese said.
Now Livingston and McLean County Building Trades Council are launching a food drive in support of AFSCME Local 1110 workers. The president of the County Building Trades Council, Mike Raikes says the labor union has the responsibility to stand with AFSCME workers. Raikes and the union are now encouraging supporters to donate canned foods and other non-perishable goods.