On August 21, a judge in McHenry County dismissed the Algonquin Township Road District’s lawsuit claiming that its collective bargaining agreement with Local 150 was invalid. This is the third time that the lawsuit has been dismissed. Previously, the judge granted the District leave to re-file, but this third dismissal was issued with prejudice, meaning in cannot be brought back to court.
This is the latest development in a legal fight stemming from Road District Commissioner Andrew Gasser’s unlawful termination of three bargaining unit members on the morning that he was sworn in to office. Local 150 has charges pending at the Illinois State Labor Relations Board over those terminations.
Gasser’s unsuccessful legal efforts have resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs to the Algonquin Township taxpayers, leading to calls from some legislators that township government be eliminated in Illinois altogether.
“We are pleased with the decisive victory in court and hope that calmer heads within Algonquin Township will bring this matter to a quick and reasonable conclusion,” said Local 150 President-Business Manager James M. Sweeney. “The expense that has been forced on the taxpayers as a result of Gasser’s actions is truly unfortunate, but we will stay the course on behalf of the members who were unlawfully terminated.”