Lake County Health Department employees file to unionize

About 600 employees of the Lake County Health Department want to unionize with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31.

Workers filed a petition Wednesday with the Illinois Labor Relations Board. Once verified that the petition includes signatures of a majority of health department employees the bargaining unit will be certified, according to the union.

A representative said joining will allow employees to advocate for better wages, work conditions and benefits which ultimately will result in better service. AFSCME already represents employees of the Lake County chief judge, circuit clerk and coroner, according to the union.