Sangamon County health department workers to picket after strike-authorization vote

Unionized workers at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health have planned an informational picket before Tuesday’s County Board meeting after voting a week ago to authorize a potential strike in a contract dispute centering on privacy protections, pay and paid sick time.

The approximately 30 health department workers, who provide health care, clerical and custodial services as well as restaurant inspections, want county board members to stop “dragging their feet and settle a fair contract now,” according to a news release from Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

The informational picketing will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday outside the Sangamon County complex at 200 N. Ninth St. before the 7 p.m. County Board meeting, AFSCME staff representative Gene Mitchell said.

Union leaders don’t plan to speak during the board meeting, but it’s unknown whether union members will attend the meeting, he said.

Read more: https://www.sj-r.com/news/20190610/county-health-department-workers-to-picket-after-strike-authorization-vote
(Springfield Journal-Register)