Illinois will implement bereavement leave for AFSCME members
SPRINGFIELD — The administration of Gov. Bruce Rauner is planning to implement bereavement leave for AFSCME members that will give them paid time off for the death of a child or stepchild.
The administration said the move was made possible by last week’s ruling of the Illinois Labor Relations Board that contract talks between the state and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are at an impasse, allowing the governor's office to impose its contract terms.
In an email to state employees Monday, John Terranova, deputy director of labor relations for the Department of Central Management Services, said the ILRB decision allows bereavement leave to be implemented immediately.
“Bereavement leave provides employees with paid leave for the terrible circumstance of attending a funeral for their children or stepchildren,” he said. “Surprisingly, previous contracts did not provide for this form of time off, meaning that some employees have previously been forced to use sick or vacation time in such circumstances. Unfortunately, in some cases, employees may not have accrued much sick or vacation time.”
Read more: http://www.pjstar.com/news/20161121/state-will-implement-bereavement-leave-for-afscme-members
Cross-posted in Omaha Steve's Labor Group.