SILVIS, Ill. — Union workers working for the City of Silvis held an informational picket outside city hall amid ongoing contract disputes with the city.
AFSCME Local 1234 represents Silvis employees working at Silvis City Hall and the Silvis Public Works Department, as well as Silvis Police's community service officer. Union members told News 8 they've been negotiating a new contract with the city since March 2023 over the course of a dozen meetings. One worker said she's seeking higher pay for her work and is frustrated by a lack of transparency from city leaders.
"When we've been in bargaining meetings, the city is saying we're not moving. However, in our proposals, it's showing we are modifying our proposal and when we're waiting for response from the city, there's little to no movement on their side of things," union member Shannon Pirmann said.
In a statement provided to News 8, the City of Silvis disputed the union's account, claiming that the union's demands aren't realistic for a smaller city.
"We have provided the union with a fair proposal to resolve this contract, which is consistent with union benefits for municipalities that are similar in size and tax revenue to the City of Silvis and consistent with our obligations as custodians of public funds. The union seeks additional benefits comparable with larger cities that have more revenue than Silvis does. We are scheduled to go to mediation on Thursday to attempt to resolve this. We are hopeful that, through mediation, the Union will begin to understand the generous package we have offered the Union. There has been a lot of misinformation about the City’s proposal because the union’s leadership refused, for a long time, to present the City’s offer for a vote to its membership. The City has filed an unfair labor practice against the Union as a result. That charge remains pending," the statement reads.
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