Panel backs union on health benefit claims

By Andrew Maloney Law Bulletin staff writer

Posted November 9, 2017 2:45 PM

SPRINGFIELD — A policy against paying healthcare costs for striking state workers may have violated Illinois labor laws, an appeals panel has ruled.The 5th District Appellate Court this week renewed a state workers union’s claims that the idea was a breach of terms, and that spelling it out on a FAQ page just before a potential strike amounted to a threat.A labor dispute board had previously dismissed the allegations without a hearing.But in a unanimous decision Wednesday, the Mt. Vernon-based panel unanimously …

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