Illinois voters approve collective bargaining amendment

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois voters have approved an amendment to their state constitution guaranteeing the right to collective bargaining.

The measure was closely watched in Illinois and beyond last week’s election as a measure of public support for a labor movement that has lost ground over the years in conservative-led states. Union groups say it could signal a new chapter in the fight for workers’ rights as union ranks swell in the US as everyone from coffee shop baristas to warehouse workers look to unionize.

They see it as a way to ensure that workers will always be able to use their collective influence to secure better pay, hours and working conditions. They also say it would prevent the Legislature, in the event of a shift to the right, from passing a so-called right-to-work law that would allow workers covered by union contracts not to pay dues.

“The ability to protect everyone’s ability to step up and organize their workplace is a critical component to ensuring that everyone has access to higher-paying work and safer workplaces,” said Joe Bowen, a spokesperson for the group Vote for Workers’ Rights. . “In particular, you’ve probably seen a lot of abuse — Starbucks baristas or people who might work in Amazon warehouses. But these historic examples have existed for generations, and it’s critical that we do everything we can to secure these rights for Illinoisans.”

Business groups and conservatives opposed the measure, saying it would raise taxes, give unions too much power, lead to more strikes and force companies to move to more industry-friendly states.

Union rights have suffered in Republican-led states in recent years. Twenty-seven states now have right-to-work laws, and Wisconsin has gone so far as to strip nearly all of its public workers, including teachers, of their collective bargaining rights.

Tennessee voters last week approved an amendment to the state Constitution that strengthens an existing state law that exempts workers from paying union dues.

The Associated Press announced the race on Tuesday. The Illinois measure required 60% of those voting on the question to vote “yes” for it to pass, or 50% of all votes cast were in favor of the question. It failed to get 60% of those who voted on the issue, but was approved by more than 50% of all votes cast.