SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Top union officials in Illinois are cheering state voters’ passage of the Workers’ Rights Amendment, which enshrines collective bargaining rights for the state’s workers in the Illinois State Constitution.
In an emailed statement late Wednesday, Illinois AFL-CIO President Tim Drea said while Illinois is a “labor friendly state”, it is something which could be taken away with simple legislation.
“With the passage of the Workers’ Rights Amendment, Illinois is taking the charge as a national leader in protecting workers at a time when we need it most,” Drea said.
Drea says it will be important for Illinois workers to sustain their right to organize and collectively bargain as the effects of inflation and federal interest rate hikes continue to drag on the economy and household family budgets.
In his statement, Drea also cheered the election of Mary Kay O’Brien and Elizabeth Rochford to the Illinois Supreme Court, saying they will “ensure that they are placing principles above politics.”
