Workers who load and unload cargo at a port on the Far South side of Chicago said they'll stay on strike as long as it takes for their employer to make their jobs safer.
State Treasurer Michael Frerichs joined union members and leaders in the Loop Wednesday morning to bring new attention to the strike by members of the International Union Of Operating Engineers Local 150 against QSL America's operations at the Illinois International Port on the mouth of the Calumet River.
Union members walked off their jobs in May after firing a series of labor practice complaints against the company.
Dock worker Ozzie Garcia and other co-workers claimed the company has repeatedly brushed off complaints about broken safety and hauling equipment and inadequate training. Garcia has served on the safety committee for the QSL operations, and said workers' complaints are not taken seriously.
"Treat us with the decency and respect that we deserve," he told reporters. "Just listen to us."
Another worker, Alex Munoz, said QSL stores sugar in a warehouse that could open it up to contamination before it's shipped to candy and food makers here and across the country.
"Warehouses are in poor condition, allowing mice, raccoons, rats and other animals to go in," Munoz said.
The union also claimed without offering specifics that the replacement workers brought in by QSL during the strike have slowed cargo-handling, which Chicago Federation of Labor president Robert Reiter said could drive up the costs of sugar at an especially difficult time for Chicago's candy makers: "We're talking about Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's Day and running into Easter."
Frerichs says any slowdown at the port could cause a ripple effect in Illinois' economy, citing statistics showing the port accounts for more than $700 million dollars in economic activity for the state every year.
A QSL spokesperson sent WBBM a statement which says in part that:
"Health, safety, and security is a value and number one priority throughout our company and across our network;" and
"Local 150 has attempted to discredit QSL's ... reputation; we find these comments frivolous and damaging and prejudicial and will take action where needed to defend our good standing."