History of Local 698
Local 698 is one of the oldest bargaining units on the Urbana-Champaign campus, University of Illinois. Local 698 was started in 1944 by two groups: laboratory mechanics and agricultural workers.
Local 698 is a part of Council 31, which represents the Illinois bargaining units of AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
As the name suggests, the parent union AFSCME is particularly devoted to representing the needs of employees who work for governmental units. AFSCME is in turn a part of the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organization), a pillar of the labor movement.
Local 698 currently represents a diverse group of University of Illinois employees working across campus and at Allerton Park and Dixon Springs. Employees include instrument makers, laboratory mechanics, animal caretakers, library specialists, theatrical stitchers, veterinary technicians, storekeepers, aircraft mechanics, crash rescue specialists, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical technicians, histologists and radiographers, and many more.
Many groups joined years ago but periodically new groups seek representation through Local 698 and often are drawn by the same issues:
To exercise all union rights (contract vote, election for officers, and running for office) full membership is necessary.
Local 698 is one of the oldest bargaining units on the Urbana-Champaign campus, University of Illinois. Local 698 was started in 1944 by two groups: laboratory mechanics and agricultural workers.
Local 698 is a part of Council 31, which represents the Illinois bargaining units of AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
As the name suggests, the parent union AFSCME is particularly devoted to representing the needs of employees who work for governmental units. AFSCME is in turn a part of the AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organization), a pillar of the labor movement.
Local 698 currently represents a diverse group of University of Illinois employees working across campus and at Allerton Park and Dixon Springs. Employees include instrument makers, laboratory mechanics, animal caretakers, library specialists, theatrical stitchers, veterinary technicians, storekeepers, aircraft mechanics, crash rescue specialists, nurses, nurse practitioners, medical technicians, histologists and radiographers, and many more.
Many groups joined years ago but periodically new groups seek representation through Local 698 and often are drawn by the same issues:
- The desire to have a say in the important work issues that concern them.
- The desire to have a voice in determining their wages and benefits and working conditions.
- The desire to have someone on their side in times of conflict with supervisors or in dealing with unfair practices within the workplace.
- The desire to be recognized as professionals and skilled workers who take pride in their work.
- The strength that comes from joining with other like-minded individuals rather than going it alone in a large institution where workers' interests are often viewed as less important than those of students, faculty and administrators.
- One of the most important reasons to join Local 698 is to be able to vote on the contract. Only Local Members can vote.
To exercise all union rights (contract vote, election for officers, and running for office) full membership is necessary.
History of AFSCME and Council 31
In the 1930s, during the depths of the Depression, a small group of government workers in Wisconsin banded together to protect their jobs and the public services they provided. AFSCME grew out of this association. In 1936, AFSCME received a charter from the American Federation of Labor.
AFSCME had 240,000 members in 1964. Over the next two decades AFSCME grew to a membership of one million and established a national reputation as a progressive and democratic union, fighting for the interests of all working people.
AFSCME is the largest union in the AFL-CIO with 1.3 million members.
In Illinois, the first local union was formed in 1942, with just 20 members. During the '50s and '60s, dozens of groups of city, county and school district employees formed AFSCME local unions and negotiated contracts. But AFSCME members had no legal guarantee of their right to collective bargaining. Management could always refuse to negotiate with the union.
But in 1973 AFSCME won a major breakthrough when Gov. Daniel Walker agreed to grant union rights to state employees. With a base of local unions already functioning in most state corrections and mental health facilities, AFSCME launched a massive organizing drive among state workers in 1974 and 1975. This resulted in the organization of 40,000 employees and the formation of AFSCME Illinois Council 31.
After years of intense legislative work, in 1983 AFSCME won passage of laws granting union rights to virtually every public employee in Illinois. Winning these rights touched off another tremendous wave of organizing across the state, which increased the number of AFSCME-represented public workers in Illinois from 40,000 to 60,000.
Over the last 15 years Council 31 has grown to 75,000 members and expanded its presence in the political and legislative arena. AFSCME is now a leading voice for working families in the state of Illinois. Today the union is organizing public service workers and winning new benefits for the employees it already represents.
In the 1930s, during the depths of the Depression, a small group of government workers in Wisconsin banded together to protect their jobs and the public services they provided. AFSCME grew out of this association. In 1936, AFSCME received a charter from the American Federation of Labor.
AFSCME had 240,000 members in 1964. Over the next two decades AFSCME grew to a membership of one million and established a national reputation as a progressive and democratic union, fighting for the interests of all working people.
AFSCME is the largest union in the AFL-CIO with 1.3 million members.
In Illinois, the first local union was formed in 1942, with just 20 members. During the '50s and '60s, dozens of groups of city, county and school district employees formed AFSCME local unions and negotiated contracts. But AFSCME members had no legal guarantee of their right to collective bargaining. Management could always refuse to negotiate with the union.
But in 1973 AFSCME won a major breakthrough when Gov. Daniel Walker agreed to grant union rights to state employees. With a base of local unions already functioning in most state corrections and mental health facilities, AFSCME launched a massive organizing drive among state workers in 1974 and 1975. This resulted in the organization of 40,000 employees and the formation of AFSCME Illinois Council 31.
After years of intense legislative work, in 1983 AFSCME won passage of laws granting union rights to virtually every public employee in Illinois. Winning these rights touched off another tremendous wave of organizing across the state, which increased the number of AFSCME-represented public workers in Illinois from 40,000 to 60,000.
Over the last 15 years Council 31 has grown to 75,000 members and expanded its presence in the political and legislative arena. AFSCME is now a leading voice for working families in the state of Illinois. Today the union is organizing public service workers and winning new benefits for the employees it already represents.