No agreement between AFSCME and state as vaccine mandate deadline passes

Thursday marked the deadline for all state workers in congregate care facilities, like prisons and veterans homes, in Illinois to receive at least their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31, or AFSCME, said they are still in negotiations with the state about the implementation of the governors vaccine mandate for congregate care workers and without an agreement, they say the deadline really means nothing to them.

AFSCME represents about 15,000 employees in the state, including most prison and veterans home staff members.

According to employment lawyer Carl Draper, the governor and his departments are well within their rights to start punishing employees who are not vaccinated by the deadlines.

"So, it's a bit of a game of chicken in who is going to move first, unless the two sides can come together," Draper said.

Draper said the negotiations are all around the implementation of the mandate, not the mandate itself.

While an agreement with AFSCME is not done yet, the state has come to contract agreements with three other labor unions over the last month.

Currently 53% of workers at the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) are not vaccinated while 70% of inmates are.

In a statement, IDOC spokesperson Lindsey Hess said, "IDOC is committed to taking all measures necessary to protect the health and safety of staff, individuals in custody, and Illinois communities. Although the Department instituted a robust COVID-19 vaccine education program, more than half of our workforce remains unprotected from the deadly virus. We are pleased the State has reached agreements with VR-704 and the Illinois Nurses Association. When staff are vaccinated against COVID-19, they are helping ensure IDOC overcomes the challenges associated with infection control in congregate living environments."