Peoria Housing Authority Workers Voted For Possible Strike
By: Alexandra Sutter WMBD/WYZZ
Updated: November 1, 2012
PEORIA -- Member of AFSCME have authorized a strike against the Peoria Housing Authority.
AFSCME, The state's largest employee's union, said 94 percent of its membership cast ballots in favor of a potential strike.
AFSCME has been in negotiations with the Peoria Housing Authority since last November.
In June, the groups brought in a federal mediator.
Nineteen positions within the housing authority are union jobs.
The Peoria Housing Authority CEO Brenda Coates said she has not formally been notified of this vote.
AFSCME Representative Tim Lavelle said it is doing this because it wants job security for its workers.
Coates said, "I think there has been proposals on both sides that have been reviewed and we've been negotiating in good faith."
Lavelle said, "At the end of the day, we hope to get a peaceful settlement here but unfortunately if we don't stand and fight today she's gonna get rid of our jobs tomorrow or the next month of the next year."
Lavelle said there are no immediate plans to strike but it could happen by giving a five day notice to PHA.
Both parties are set to meet again on Nov. 13
