BARGAINING UPDATE: 11/25/2025

We wanted to update you on the progress made in bargaining today.  We also wanted to address the County budget vote from last week.  Additionally, we want to share an incredible piece of news with you regarding salary increases!

County Budget Vote

We have been in almost constant communication with various elected members of the Will County Board, as well as their bargaining representatives since the vote last weekend.  This budget vote has in no way impacted our existing tentative agreements in negotiations with the County, including the larger ticket economic items like wages and insurance.  After meeting today with our bargaining partners, it is clear that it will in no way impact those issues that are still remaining.  Our job has not changed.  We are continuing to negotiate an agreement that will provide our members with real, much deserved gains.

Negotiations Update 

We met with the County from 9:30am – 3:30pm today.  All of that time was spent in side bar.  We are down to only a handful of remaining issues to work through; there are a couple of pay plans for specific departments we are working through.  Additionally, there is one remaining language issue that we are working through, as well.  We still have specific issues to work out in 3 of our agencies.  However, we are coming close to finalizing an agreement which we will be both proud and excited to present to everyone for ratification within the coming month or two.  The Holidays are always difficult times to schedule around, but we are doing our best to squeeze in as much time as we can to get an agreement to you for ratification as close to the new year as we can.

Salary Increase Updates 

As part of our negotiations, we are incredibly excited to announce that we were able to get the County to agree to make effective the first year across the board increases on December 1, 2025!!!!  While we don’t have a completely ratified agreement yet, we wanted to ensure that all members received their across the board increases for 2025-2026 on time.  And we achieved that result just today.  So, beginning on December 1, 2025, all members will receive a 3.5% increase to their current salary!!

At the end of the day, your team has been working incredibly hard on your behalf in order to achieve a contract which we can be proud of.  And we believe we are close to delivering on that promise.  We are looking forward to bringing the entire agreement to you for ratification soon.  And from all of us on the bargaining team, we wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving.  We hope you get to celebrate with those you care about – enjoy some well deserved turkey, football, and family time.

In Solidarity,

Your Local 1028 Bargaining Team