Rauner's plan to fix Illinois pension crisis would end collective bargaining, freeze wages

Gov. Bruce Rauner says his new plan to address Illinois' underfunded pension systems would save billions of dollars annually and be "fair and reasonable" to workers and taxpayers.

But labor unions and their supporters say it's another attempt by the Republican to attach union-busting measures to broader policy initiatives.

The legislation would prohibit state-worker unions from collective bargaining on issues such as wages, vacation and overtime, and would freeze salaries for five years. It would then offer workers the option of getting raises, more vacation or overtime, but only if they agree to switch to a less-generous pension plan.

Democratic leaders declared the measure all but dead. Labor unions called it "a waste of taxpayer dollars and time."

Rauner says the proposal includes a lot for Democrats to like.