Union parking garage attendants who work at the busiest parking lots and garages in the Chicago area are now on strike.
The vast majority of the 1,200 members of the Teamsters Local 727 voted in favor of a strike.
Ninety-eight percent.
They work in garages and lots at the airports, sports and entertainment venues, and downtown hotels and office buildings, among other locations.
The union alleges “widespread labor law violations and bad-faith bargaining.”
It called the Chicago Parking Association’s final offer: “disrespectful.”
The association says it “put forward an unprecedented contract proposal that would deliver workers one of the most generous compensation packages” in the industry.
That includes 100-percent employer-paid health insurance, more paid time off and a 27-percent increase in wages over five years, starting with a 7-percent increase, according to the association.
UNION STATEMENT
(CHICAGO) – Nearly 1,200 members of Teamsters Local 727 have launched an unfair labor practice (ULP) strike against parking operators throughout the Chicagoland area, citing widespread labor law violations and bad-faith bargaining.
The strikes come after members overwhelmingly voted down the companies’ disrespectful “last, best, and final” offer.
The employers bargain collectively through the Chicago Parking Association under the Master Parking Agreement. Local 727 has filed or is preparing ULP charges alleging refusal to bargain, failure to provide information, unilateral changes to working conditions, retaliation, and unlawful surveillance."
These companies broke the law and forced our members onto the strike line," said John T. Coli Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727. "Parking workers keep Chicagoland moving every day, but employers chose delay tactics, labor law violations, and disrespect instead of bargaining a fair contract. Our members are united and ready to stay in this fight for as long as it takes."
The strike could include Teamsters covered by the Master Parking Agreement with SP Plus/Metropolis, LAZ Parking, Interpark, ABM, Imperial/Reimagine Parking, Legacy Parking, ACE, Peoples Auto Park, Advance Parking, Metro Valet, Park Plus, Pioneer Parking, Vargas, Secure Parking, and Windy City Parking Services.
"Our work matters to the people who live, work, and travel throughout Chicago," said Carolyn German, a steward with Teamsters Local 727. "We're on strike because these companies refuse to follow the law and negotiate fairly. Their behavior is ridiculous and this whole situation shows that."
STATEMENT FROM THE PARKING ASSOCIATION
The Chicago Parking Association has put forward an unprecedented contract proposal that would deliver workers one of the most generous compensation packages in the parking industry nationwide.
Our compensation package for parking staff already includes generous, 100% employer-paid health insurance, pension, and paid time off benefits. Our proposal includes a 27% increase to wages and benefits over the term of a new, five-year agreement, and would deliver a wage increase of more than 7% in the first year alone. Our proposal additionally includes a new retiree healthcare benefit and more paid time off, with no cutbacks or concessions.
We believe the offer on the table represents a substantial commitment to our employees and demonstrates just how far we are willing to go to reach a fair agreement. Despite the significance of this proposal, the Union’s leadership has rejected it and is threatening to strike. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith and reaching a fair agreement that benefits everyone involved while avoiding unnecessary disruptions for Chicagoland commuters.
