File Photo
File Photo
Rock Island employees are hoping the city council will not privatize water services as it may affect the community. According to a Nov. 20 release, the council is considering selling the water service in the city to a private company, Illinois American Water.
As a result, Rock Island Public Works Department employees are concerned about what that would mean for their jobs. They also warned that water bills may increase with local control lost.
Rock Island Public Works Department workers stand against the City Council's attempt to privatize water services.
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"I thought I was going to live here the rest of my life so I hope for the sake of citizens, especially citizens that can't afford higher rates in this town, it could negatively impact their personal economy," American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 988 vice president Nick Hartman said in the release.
According to the release, Illinois American Water expressed its interest in discussing further with the plan and that they will continue to be “open and transparent” during the process.
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