Labor in Illinois

July 31, 2007
Weekly Labor Report

Union Workers Locked Out of Moline Company

Working without a contract since July 1, 100 workers of Local 1174 at Quad City Die Casting in Moline were notified of a lockout Thursday night. The company told workers in a letter, “you are not to report to work for your next scheduled shift and you will not be allowed to work even if you desire to work until the Union agrees to the Company’s last, best, and final offer for a new labor agreement.” They explained to workers, “contrary to what you have been told by the Union, (our proposal) does not affect your wage rate or your job security. Temporary employees can only be used when 75 employees are scheduled to work and no employees are on layoff and they will not have seniority rights.” A federal mediator began working July 21 but failed to resolve the dispute after the union rejected his last offer. Union President Richard Nordholm said that workers had not had a raise in three years, but is most concerned over the hiring of temporary and part-time workers. He said, “I’m afraid all our full time people will be training the temporary people to take over their own jobs, like training your own executioner.” The company letter told them to pick up their tools and belongings on August 1, and that they would receive a COBRA notice with further information on how to continue their health insurance. – WQAD.com (27 July 2007)

Illinois Prohibits Smoking in Enclosed Public Places July 23

S.B. 500, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act, will eliminate the current patchwork of local laws and ordinances that place limitations on smoking. Smoking is now prohibited in all enclosed public places, workplaces, and government vehicles. The ban covers all restaurants, bars, and casinos and will extend to dormitories and public areas of public and private institutions of higher education. Smoking will be permitted outside and inside particular hotel rooms, retail tobacco shops, and private nursing home rooms. – Daily Labor Report (24 July 2007): A-8.

Chicago Metal Conduit Technology

This March, Local 134 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in Chicago cosponsored a training program for metal conduit benders with the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (NJATC). Conduits are steel pipes through which run electrical wires. They are grounded to prevent electrical shorts from erupting into fire. Hence, the week long seminar, made possible through cooperation between the training and professional associations, represented a worker-led move for higher safety and professional standards. Members also hope that the training makes union workers more competitive against nonunion contractors. IBEW Director of Construction and Maintenance Mark Ayers said, “We always focused on having our members be able to do everything well before they got started on a job, but that is not necessarily the most realistic option if we want to compete. If a job needs pipe benders, then we will start training new members on pipe bending first sot hey have productive skills the first day on the job.” --- IBEW Journal (Summer 2007): 10-11.

Union Jobs Created Through Cable Access Expansion

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 21 lobbied hard in Springfield for the passage of SB 678, Cable and Video Competition Law of 2007. The law, passed on June 30, will allow competitors in the market for cable television. Michael Carrigan, president of the Illinois AFL-CIO, and Dennis Gannon, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor have publicly expressed their hope that the law will open new union jobs to Illinois families. AT &T, for example, plan on entering the market as soon as possible. The new legislation requires companies to get local clearance for their building infrastructure in public rights of way, and requires them to pay a franchise fee to the communities in which they do business. – Labor Letter (Spring 2007): 6.

OSHA fines American Airlines over Negligence at O’Hare

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined American Airlines $231,000 for 22 significant safety violations found through an inspection of the company’s operating procedures at O’Hare International Airport. The Administration inspected two hangars, a cargo building, a baggage room, ramp services, and ticket and gate services, and found both careless and “willful,” or repeat, violations. Repeat violations include fall protection, electrical and fire hazards, machine guard issues, hygiene issues and “lockout/tagout” procedures. OSHA claimed that American Airlines inspectors should be checking their heaters from unprotected catwalks 80 feet above the ground, jet bridges and de-icing trucks without proper fall protection. – Chicagotribune.com (28 July 2007)

Community Labor Analysis Used To Help Boost Algonquin Industry

Beginning on August 20, the village of Algonquin will conduct an analysis of its Algonquin Corporate Campus, a 1000-acre swath of land in the northwest Chicago suburb. The village will work with Nortillo & Associates, in association with Carter & Burgess Inc., to complete the study about wages and fringe benefits, work force availability and quality, and training and education data. They will interview about 25 local employers, workforce training providers and community leaders. – www.suburbanchicagonews.com (29 July 2007)