Labor in Illinois

Weekly Labor Report
Feb 21, 2008

Employee Classification Act Takes Effect 1 Jan 2008

The Employee Classification Act, passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by Governor Blagojevich last summer, ensures that workers in the construction industry are protected by labor laws and not misclassified as “independent contractors.” The law presumes that an individual performing services is an “employee” unless he or she passes the “ABC Test.” That is, the individual must be free from direction or control over the performance of the service for the contractor; the service performed is outside of the usual course of services, and that the individual is an independently established trade, occupation or business. Sole proprietors must meet all twelve conditions specified by the act to use the tax status of independent contractor. The Illinois Department of Labor is willing to cooperate with unions to understand the new act and how it may apply to them. For additional information, see www.state.il.us/agency/idol - The Labor Paper (17 Jan 2008): 2.

Peoria Benefited by Water Resource Act

As a result of the override of the Water Resource Bill over President Bush’s veto, the Peoria and LaGrange Locks will both be expanded to 1200 feet. This change will minimize delays on the Illinois River when freight travels between St. Paul and St. Louis. The bill provides $16 million to construct three islands on the Illinois River to increase water flow through the Peoria Lakes area. Furthermore, the act appropriates $1.5 billion for the restoration of the ecosystem along the waterways. This includes 105,000 acres of habitat and 35,000 acres of floodplain. Each barge replaces 15 rail cars or 58 semi trucks. Hence, enhanced waterways decrease dependence on fuel. – Labor Paper (6 Dec 2007)`

AFL-CIO Protests Department of Homeland Security’s Demand to Identify Travelers as Unionists

President John Sweeney of the AFL-CIO and the Transportation Trades Department recently found that DHS secretary Michael Chertoff is in conversation with Council of the European Union president Louis Amado about what data to collect from international passengers in the identification of terrorist suspects. Chertoff said that the United States’ agency would be willing to use personal data, such as trade union membership, if “the life of a data subject or of others could be imperiled or seriously impaired.” Sweeney has put pressure on Chertoff to ensure that union membership not be identified as suspicious behavior. – St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune (5 Dec 2007)

West Central IL Building and Construction Trades Council meets with Customers

The WCIBCTC (see above) met with utility companies, Caterpillar and local hospitals in a roundtable on the construction needs of West Central Illinois in the months and years ahead. Director Dan Silverthorn explained, “We want to make sure we can supply the manpower they need.” Said Don Gorman, executive assistant for the Regional Council of Carpenters, “We have to hear what the key customers need and what their concerns are.” – The Labor Paper (17 Jan 2008): 1.