(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- After a sometimes testy hearing Tuesday, Chicago alderpersons have approved an ordinance designed to make it easier for workers at non-profit agencies to unionize.
The Human Service Workforce Advancement Ordinance would require non-profit organizations that get city funds to agree not to fight any attempts by their workers to unionize.
Jack Robbins of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce says so-called “labor peace” agreements could be costly to non-profits if their employees want to join unions. He and other non-profit officials said the ordinance could force some agencies to cut services and personnel -- or go out of business.
But Ald. Susan Sadlowski-Garza, chair of Council Workforce Development Committee, said it’s not a given employees will even want to unionize.
Juan Carlos Linares, president of Association House Chicago, said it’s expensive to bargain in good faith. He's got teaching staff who are organized, and he said it’s costing between $50,000 and $75,000 annually to negotiate.
After debate and some dueling parliamentary maneuvers, the measure passed and goes to the full City Council. It could win final approval as soon as Wednesday.
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