SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Contract negotiations between Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and a union representing Illinois state workers have reached the state labor board.

Both sides are making arguments regarding whether labor talks have stalled. Rauner asked the Illinois Labor Relations Board to determine whether negotiations are at an impasse. The declaration would allow Rauner to impose his own terms for the 36,000 members who the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union represents.

The declaration would also allow the union, which claims there’s no deadlock, to go on strike.

The Chicago Tribune reports the hearing that began Monday is scheduled to last through May before an administrative law judge issues a decision.

Both sides had been negotiating for more than a year when Rauner went to the labor board in January.

 

 

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