Peoria Journal-Star: City workers vote to strike

[Tweed]

http://www.pjstar.com/stories/021905/TRI_B5KJ9R00.014.shtml

"PEORIA - The union that represents about 200 city workers voted to reject the city's final contract offer - and instead voted to strike Friday.

"It's a good thing . . . It sends a message that we're in this together," said Rosilee Walker, a fiscal technician in the city's accounts receivable department and member of American Federation of State, City and Municipal Employees Local 3464.

The voter turnout sent a "clear message," said Michael Jefferson, a staff representative for AFSCME Council 31.

A total of 169 of the union's 199 members voted. The union voted 118 to 50 to reject the offer, and in a second vote, 116 members voted to strike, a union member told the Journal Star and a union official later confirmed."