Governor and AFSCME Agree To One Month Contract Extension

Alex Degman -- Illinois Radio Network

The governor's administration and the state's largest public employee union are still far apart on new contract details, but there won't be any strikes or lockouts come July 1.

AFSCME Council 31 spokesman Anders Lindall says both sides have essentially agreed to a one month contract extension.

"It allows both sides to continue to negotiate during the month of July without the threat of disruption to public services that state employees provide," Lindall says.

What's not clear, however, is whether there will be a new contract by the end of July. AFSCME held statewide rallies this month asking for what they say is a fair contract -- the administration and union have been at the table for six months.

They'll return to the table next week, but Lindall's been saying for months that the two sides are very far apart.