PARK RIDGE, ILL. – In February, Teamsters Local 700 formally submitted a majority interest representation petition to the Illinois Labor Relations Board seeking to organize Assistant State’s Attorneys (ASA’s) in Cook County into a union. This petition was only necessary because State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke reneged on her stated promise to voluntarily recognize the union during her 2023 campaign.

Now, O’Neill Burke is going even further to stop her employees by actively opposing the majority interest petition and hiring outside counsel to do so, further wasting taxpayer dollars in her quest to squash the unionization effort she previously purported to support.

As a candidate, O’Neill Burke wrote, “Should majority interest be clearly demonstrated amongst the Cook County Assistant State's Attorneys during my term of office, I also pledge to voluntarily recognize the union.” As State’s Attorney, O’Neill Burke went back on her word, forcing the ASA’s into a lengthy, expensive legal process to certify the union.

Teamsters Local 700 President Ramon Williams released the following statement:

“The office of State’s Attorney is one that demands honesty and integrity, but unfortunately politician Eileen O’Neill Burke has proven she has neither. O’Neill Burke promised she would recognize the union rights of the Assistant State’s Attorneys when it came time to ask for their votes and then went back on her word as soon as these brave women and men stepped up to make their union a reality. 

“O’Neill Burke wants to use dubious legal arguments to distract the public and her own employees from the simple fact that she could recognize the union today, empower the public servants in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, save taxpayer dollars, and spare everyone this unnecessary fight. Regardless of O’Neill Burke’s hypocrisy, Local 700 will never give up in our duty to stand up for the rights of the amazing Assistant State’s Attorneys of Cook County, who dedicate their careers to keeping people safe.”

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

Feb. 10 - Formal request from Local 700 to O’Neill Burke for union recognition

Feb. 15 - Notice of filing of petition for certification from Local 700 to O’Neill Burke

Feb. 19 - Representation/Certification Petition

Feb. 20 - Notice of submission of the representation petition from Local 700 to O’Neill Burke 

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