Urge your legislators to stop the layoffs.

Twenty members of Illinois Federtion of Public Employees, Local 4408, working as Security Officers at the Illinois Department of Military Affairs are scheduled to be laid off as of November 1. 

These state employees will be replaced by a private security personnel contract with Securitas, Inc., a Swedish multi-national corporation.  It is important to know that 17 out of 20 of these soon to be laid off state workers are U.S. Military Veterans and or/members of the National Guard.  They have seen a combined 301 years of service in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Iraq - including one member whose unit is currently activated in Iraq.

It is of the utmost importance that you ask your legislators to intervene with the Governor to stop the layoffs of State Security at the Illinois Dept. of Military Affairs.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Block the layoffs at the Illinois Department of Military Affairs

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing this letter to alert you that 20 long-time state employees who work as security guards for the Illinois Department of Military Affairs have received layoff notices, effective October 31, 2007. These state employees will be replaced by a private security personnel contract to Securitas, Inc, a Swedish multi-national corporation.

Seventeen of these soon-to-be laid-off state workers are U.S. military veterans and/or members of the National Guard. They have seen active duty in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Iraq, (301 years combined service), including one member whose unit is currently activated in Iraq.

What has Illinois government come to? That American military veterans are being laid off at the whim of a state agency? That their tax-paid salaries will now earn a profit for foreign corporation?

I urge you to contact Gov. Rod Blagojevich immediately and tell him to block the lay offs of these qualified veterans.

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact the Illinois Federation of Public Employees, Local 4408 IFT-AFT/AFL-CIO, at 4 Lawrence Square, Springfield, IL 62704 or by phone at 217-523-3722.

You may also contact David Piccioli of our IFT legislative staff in Springfield.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 15, 2007


Background Information

Twenty members of Illinois Federtion of Public Employees, Local 4408, working as Security Officers at the Illinois Department of Military Affairs are scheduled to be laid off as of November 1.  The IFPE has filed a grievance covering all officers and guards in the RC-29 bargaining unit challenging this layoff.  We are also reviewing with legal counsel the possibility of filing an Unfair Labor Practice Charge with the Illinois Dept. of Labor.

These state employees will be replaced by a private security personnel contract with Securitas, Inc., a Swedish multi-national corporation.  It is important to know that 17 out of 20 of these soon to be laid off state workers are U.S. Military Veterans and or/members of the National Guard.  They have seen a combined 301 years of service in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Iraq - including one member whose unit is currently activated in Iraq.

The key to stopping these layoffs is to put political pressure on the Governor's office to call off the layoffs by the Department of Military Affairs.  "We are urging all IFPE members to contact their State Senator and State Representative regarding these layoffs,"  said IFPE President B.J. Dick.  "These members may not be part of your bargaining unit but this can happen to anyone at anytime."

It is of the utmost importance that you write, call and e-mail your representatives regqarding this situation.  Encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do the same.  Ask your legislators to intervene with the Governor to stop the layoffs of State Security at the Illinois Dept. of Military Affairs.