Union authorizes strike, Rauner doesn't budge

The largest state employee union on Thursday made its latest move in a years-long chess match against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, announcing its members had taken the unprecedented step of authorizing a strike.

That doesn't mean state workers will walk off the job — union leaders made a point to say they first want to exhaust "every possible recourse." Instead, the labor group hopes to use the leverage of having a favorable strike vote in their pocket to bring Rauner back to the bargaining table to restart negotiations over a contract to replace one that expired in July 2015.

"Let's be clear, we have come to this juncture today for just one reason only: the refusal of Gov. Rauner to negotiate with our union," said Roberta Lynch, executive director of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31."We are willing, more than willing to work to find common ground. But we won't just roll over."

Soon after the union announced its new authority at a hall across the street from the Capitol, Rauner didn't budge. Talks remain at an impasse, the governor said, and he should get to enforce his contract terms.

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