Losing the Right to Say No— First Contract Interest Arbitration for Non-Sworn Public Employees

On August 18, 2009, Governor Patrick Quinn signed into law what is arguably one of the most significant changes to the Illinois Public Labor Relations act since the advent of interest arbitration for public safety personnel in 1986. Public Act 96-0598 (formerly Senate Bill 1715) now requires binding interest arbitration as a way to resolve first contract labor disputes for public sector bargaining units of less than 35 employees.

Note: This new law applies to bargaining units of less than 35 employees, regardless of the size of your total workforce.

With Public Law 96-0598 taking effect January 1, 2010, Illinois public employers should begin preparing now for a host of legal and practical issues that will likely arise as unions scramble to take advantage of this major new bargaining tool to organize the rest of your employees. Almost every employer has a group of less than 35 employees who are subject to being organized.

Please join Seyfarth Shaw in a discussion about the implications of Public Law 96-0598 on Illinois public employers. This webinar is co-sponsored by: the Illinois Municipal League, the Illinois Public Employer Labor Relations Association, and the Illinois Association of County Engineers.

Who Should Attend:

Elected officials, administrators, managers, department heads, supervisors and human resources professionals for non-educational public employers located throughout the State of Illinois.

If you have any questions, please contact events@seyfarth.com .