Kroger Ratifies New Labor Agreement

Grocery store Kroger Co. has agreed to a new labor agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 700 of Indianapolis. The agreement called for Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, but both sides currently celebrate the bargain as a win. The new agreement covers 4200 Kroger associates in sixty stores throughout Indianapolis and parts of Bloomington, Crawfordsville and Kokomo. They also cover some workers in stores with the banner names Scott’s, Owen’s, Hilander and Pay Less. One of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains, Kroger operates 2486 supermarkets and multi-department stores nationwide. It also owns 42 food processing plants which are headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. – (Earthtimes.org 19 June 2008)

John Deere Contracts for Research Park, University of Illinois

John Deere machinery of Moline, Illinois has contracted to open a research center on the grounds of the University of Illinois. They hope to expand the university’s research in advanced electronics, advanced sensors, systems technology and mechatronics. These subcategories fall under mechanical and electronic engineering. Said university Chancellor Richard Herman,
the center “will enhance the knowledge and skills of faculty and students as we continue to prepare our graduates to compete and succeed in the global marketplace.” – (Crain’s Business 17 July 2008)

Schnuck Markets Employs Workforce Management Consultant

St.Louis- based Schnuck Markets, Inc. has selected RedPrairie’s Workforce Management Solution to help run its human resources. RedPrarie consults Schnucks in future planning and workforce training. They operate 103 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Mississippi. – (PRS Businesswire 19 June 2008)

EPA Official Ousted in Fight with Dow

Mary Gade, a Midwest EPA official, has been in dispute with Dow Chemicals about delayed plans to clean up dioxin-saturated soil and sediment that dumps into Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. Its toxic dumping into local rivers extends 50 miles beyond its Midland, Mich., plant. She has been placed on “administrative leave” but protests that she stands by all of her decisions in her relations with Dow. Dioxin was a byproduct of the herbicide Agent Orange and is measured in trillionths of a gram because its toxicity. The Chicago Tribune reports, “Company documents show Dow knew by the mid-1960s that it could make people sick or even kill them. Citing years of independent studies, the EPA says dioxin causes cancer and disrupts the immune and reproductive systems, even at very low levels.”—( Chicago Tribune 2 May 2008)

State Ethics Examination Law Suit Settled

The Illinois Education Association and its affiliate union, the Southern Illinois University – Carbondale (SIUC) Faculty Association, have announced an agreement with the Illinois Executive Inspector General and Illinois Ethics Commission over a recent lawsuit. The state failed 10,000 state employees not for failing the test but for taking the timed, online test too quickly. The lawsuit released the employees from further disciplinary action, but the Illinois deputy inspector general said nothing has necessarily changed for the future. – (Daily Labor Report 1 May 2008)

Court Warrants Allstate Members Claim that Earnings Estimate Reduced Benefits

The Northern District of the State of Illinois Courts has not dismissed retirees’ claims that the company may have used unreasonable methods of calculating employees’ estimated compensation. In creating pension projections, Allstate assumed that employees received 6 percent pay increases each year between 1951 and 1988 and that during this time employees were continuously covered by Social Security. So far, the courts have granted warrants for discovery investigations of the company. (Daily Labor Report 10 June 2008)

OSHA Fines Illinois Roofing Company

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Winter’s Architectural Roofing Co. of Carbon Cliff $244,000 for eight citations of safety violations. The federal agency started its investigation after an employee fell 16 feet through a skylight and was killed in October of 2007. The company has been noted for negligence on low-sloped roofs, failure to cover skylight openings, and failure to train employees about fall hazards. (Daily Labor Report 16 April 2008)

Teamsters Wins First Student Bus Company Employees’ in Three States

Across Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 729 new bus drivers have voted to join the Teamsters. Alaine Peterson, a three year driver in Crest Hill, Illinois, and one of 438 drivers and monitors who joined Teamsters Local 179 of Joliet, was especially excited when her husband, a rail employee, became a Teamster the same day. These wins come from a nationwide initiative to organize private school bus and transit workers across the country. The Teamsters have called this initiative the Drive Up Standards, and have won more than 9300 new members since 2006. – Sun Herald (2 June 2008)

Durham’s District 300 to Choose Busdriver Union

Both the Teamsters, a growingly popular union of bus drivers, and the Illinois Education Association (IEA), a “professional association” of teachers and alternative to the Illinois Federation of Teachers, are each trying to represent the more than 200 bus drivers in the Durham School district. The IEA has struggled to represent the district’s teachers and argues that future contracts will be stronger if all of the school district’s employees work together. The Teamsters claim that the IEA has delayed negotiations. They have recently been very effective in representing school bus drivers around the country. – Daily Herald (13 May 2008)

Workers Suspended Over Caterpillar Smoking Ban; UAW Petitions NLRB

Caterpillar’s new ban on smoking has won the ire of many employees and started rumors of a wildcat strike because of recent workers’ suspensions. However Bill Scott, chairman of the United Autoworkers Local 974, has argued that officially the union is against a wildcat strike. “Our official position is that because we have a no strike, no lockout clause in the contract, to stay on the job. But I don’t know how we can stop them from a spontaneous walkout if htat is what they choose.” Caterpillar has stated that the recent smoking ban is simply part of the Healthy Balance initiative. They claim, “We remain dedicated to creating and maintaining the healthiest and safest work environment possible for our employees.” However, Caterpillar employees and the UAW maintain that their contract allows them to smoke on Caterpillar property. They have even filed a petition with the NLRB against this violation. Some non-smokers have been reported to start smoking out of solidarity for protesting a violation of their contract.—Peoria Journal-Star (2 June 2008)

Metropolis Rewarding City Workers who Quit Smoking

Fifteen city employees of Metropolis, Illinois have signed up for a grant-funded initiative to help them quit smoking: they will earn $1000 if they successfully quit smoking for one year. City officials claim that this will lead eventually to healthier workers and lower insurance premiums. The program, though only several weeks old, will be enforced with random nicotine tests. Patches and gum are not prohibited. – Chicago Tribune (2 June 2008)

Belleville Teachers’ Association Sues District to Test School Air Quality

Belleville Teachers’ Association Local 434 filed a complaint against the school district to test the air quality for toxins in the Belleville East buildings. Teachers, they say, experience chronic dizziness, respiratory problems, and burning eyes. The Illinois Department of Labor has recently checked the air quality and found it satisfactory, but the teachers complain that the district had the doors and windows open all weekend long so the test was under an unusually favorable condition. School superintendent Greg Moats agrees that the extra testing will be a good idea. Union attorney Chris Kolker said that if the teachers did not file a lawsuit with the county, the Illinois Department of Labor would put off a re-testing to the summer, when the conditions would once again be unusually favorable. Union leaders complain that classroom ventilation has not worked properly in years. –Belleville News-Democrat (15 May 2008)

Governor Blagojevich and Several State Senators Call for State Construction Plan

Senate Republicans and Democrats have begun to rally behind Governor Blagojevich’s Illinois Works, a proposed $31 billion comprehensive capital infrastructure plan to build and rebuild roads, schools and mass-transit. It is also hoped to address recent job shortages. In support of the proposed plan, among many others, are Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan, President and CEO of Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce Larry Ivory, President of Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Tod Faerber, and the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. The plan calls for motor fuel taxes to support bonded road projects, a partial use of the state lottery system for funding, and Capital and Educational Trust Funds with “lockbox” accountability guarantees. It also calls for an increase in gaming licenses to raise $550 million in debt service for environmental and water, energy, economic development, health care, state facilities, and other purposes. – Illinois Press Releases (28 May 2008)

AFSCME Demands Better Contract

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees have organized 40 protests recently to attain better job contracts for the state’s workers. They have been in negotiations for six months but they still have not come to an agreement to replace the contract that ends June 30. AFSCME demands that it not have to swallow “a decrease in take-home pay, higher health insurance premiums, mandatory overtime, and bigger paycheck contributions for retirement.” The union’s executive director Henry Bayer said, “Every Illinois resident relies on the public services AFSCME members provide…. State workers aren’t asking for a lot—decent wages, affordable health care and a secure retirement. And they’ll do whatever it takes, bargain as long as it takes, picket as much as it takes, to achieve a fair contract.”– Quad Cities Online (29 May 2008)

SEIU Workers Vote on Union Members’ Hotline

Union officials of the Service Employees’ International Union have argued that 24 hour call centers would better handle the volume of workers’ concerns so that union representatives could focus on organizing new members. Some member of the SEIU are less comfortable with this change, for the argue that union representatives should know their constituents and be accountable to them. Eva Lozada has said, “Sometimes you can’t get through to these centers… It’s like talking to an A.T.M.” Sal Roselli, president of the United Healthcare Workers West, has held that this change further centralizes union power in a bureaucracy and takes it out of the hands of local workers. Andrew L. Stern, the SEIU’s president, has insisted that these changes are vital to empowering, not disempowering, rank-and-file workers. “We have a 1930s teletype model of representation in a 21st century world. You can Google almost anything. But then you call your local union office and you have to push 1 or 2 and then you can’t find someone who speaks the language you speak.”—New York Times (1 June 2008)
University of Illinois and State Chamber of Commerce Partner in HR Initiative
Because of the more than 9300 Illinois companies who have been investigated in the past year for labor law violations, the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Human Resource Management (CHRM) at the University of Illinois have partnered in a Human Resources program that helps prevent problems of the future. Jean Drasgrow, assistant director of the CHRM reflected, “Complying with federal and Illinois law is very difficult and it can be very complex. The laws are written in such a way that they don’t tell you how to do everything, so this can help with those gray areas.” Employee complains have ranged from concerns with wages to those with overtime and workplace safety. The program, which pilots this fall, will be taught by Illinois faculty and PhD students and especially aim to help managers from smaller companies with employment laws of our state. They will cost about $500 each and will accrue to University of Illinois certification. – Illinois Chamber of Commerce (May 2008)

FBI Raids Union Boss’ Farm

Chicago area labor leader William E. Dugan, a former Republican appointee to government boards that oversee Illinois casinos, the CTA and the state’s tollway system, has been accused of of illegally using union resources to truck corn from Illinois to his buffalo farm in Hancock, Maryland. His Chicago union represents 22000 heavy equipment operators but they have so far defended Dugan and argued that the accusation is part of a re-election battle. He is using Joseph Duffy, the same lawyer who is defending political fundraiser Tony Rezko, to defend him. – Chicago Sun Times (31 May 2008)

Retiree Benefits for State Workers in Collective Bargaining

The state of Illinois has promised retired and former employees health, dental, vision and life insurance benefits, but has not consistently put aside money to pay for these “other post employment benefits,” or OPEB. Illinois’ top fiscal officer John Filan has argued that the state’s $43 billion liability will be settled through labor negotiations with the state’s unions. “This is a combined liability [for both employer and employee],” he said, “and we will work on it in collective bargaining.” Filan has pushed for the auctioning of 50 year terms to the state lottery to corporations as a way to raise at least $10 billion quickly. The state would retain a 20% investment in the lottery over the lease term. – Bond Buyer (22 April 2008)
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Proposes New Contract for Civil Service Employees
The Association of Civil Service Employees, which includes about 400 people, has been trying to secure a fair, four year contract for nine months. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SUIC) initially offered to increase wages of all employees by three percent and increase those of some senior workers by about five percent. Association president Cathy Lilley has argued that increases ought to happen every year, not only the first year of a four year contract. The Association finally secured a contract for a 3.5 percent raise over the next two years. – The Southern (24 April 2008; 6 May 2008)

State Unemployment Deceptively Unchanged in 2008

For the last five months, Illinois’ job market and unemployment rate of 5.5% has been more stable than the national average. As employers cut 80,000 jobs nationwide in March, state payrolls only declined .03 percent with 1600 cuts. Mitch Daniels, a labor market economist with the Illinois Department of Labor Security, said, “Given the national economic picture, steady is good.” However, what seems like a stable picture overall may hide the differences among Illinois’ economic sectors. While the state has seen growth in professional, educational, health service sectors and especially the agricultural sector, construction and manufacturing sectors have taken a dramatic hit. Daniels expects job growth in Illinois in 2008 to be between one and two percent, especially concentrated in the professional health service sector. – Medill Reports-Northwestern University (17 April 2008)

Latino Union in Chicago Struggles with Falling Pay

In the wake of the construction industry shortfall throughout the nation and especially in Illinois, day laborers in Chicago have seen wages drop from $12 an hour to $10 an hour and even down to $8 an hour for those hungry enough for work. Furthermore, reports the Latino Union, a labor organization and employment agency for day laborers in Chicago, workers continue to get hurt on risky jobs. Jessica Aranda, the executive director of the organization, calls the laborers international businessmen, and looks forward to helping workers attain more skills, especially in language and technology. – Chicago Tribune (26 April 2008)

AFL-CIO in Alliance with Enlace, Mexican Labor Rights Group

The AFL-CIO announced April 17 that it formally allied with Enlace, a coalition that represents 300, 000 low wage workers in Mexico. The AFL-CIO has no formal relationship with Mexico’s official union federation, which is essentially controlled by the country’s Industrial Revolutionary Party. – People’s World Weekly (22 April 2008)

Unions Exceptionally Successful in Healthcare Industry

While the overall number of union petitions and elections declined in 2007, health-care related unions have fared better than most. According to recent statistics from the National Labor Relations Board, while unions in non-healthcare related industries won 62 percent of the time, they have won 72 percent of the time in health associated fields. The Service Employees’ International Union and California Nurses Association/ National Nurses Organizing Committee won 79, 80 and 83 percent of the time. The SEIU and UNITE-HERE celebrate great success over the past year in beginning to organize Aramark, Cintas and ServiceMaster employees. – Reuters (18 Mar 2008) http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS140744+18-Mar-2008+PRN20080318

Rockford Police Lieutenants Want Membership in Union, but City Rejects Request

Currently only patrol officers and sergeants, officers who are officially not managers, are represented by the Police Benevolent and Protective Agency, Unit 6 (of Rockford, Illinois). Five of the six of the city’s lieutenants want membership in the union because they say they are fearful of losing their jobs. They have petitioned the Illinois Labor Board to determine whether Rockford’s lieutenants are managers, while city leaders contend that they will fight the lieutenants’ request. Said Rockford’s Legal Director Patrick Hayes, “Management ought to stay management and with regard to our employees, if they want to organize that’s fine and works very well, but there needs to be a division and a clear delineation between management and labor.” – News 23 (5 May 2008)

Fraternal Order of Police Secures New Contract with SUIC

The Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council recently ratified a three year contract with Southern Illinois University-Carbondale for dispatchers and parking service employees. Bob Behrtens, a FOP field representative, was very happy about the contract. “This is unprecedented for dispatchers and parking service agents to get fixed raises into the future like this. The university is not too keen on pay raises. But, with all the new emergency and medical response systems, dispatchers are becoming more and more important.” Pay will increase by approximately 12.5 percent over the next three years. – The Southern (6 May 2008)

Key Chicago Unions Take No Position on Children’s Museum

Opponents of the proposed Children’s Museum in Chicago’s Grant Park argue that park has always been public property set aside for the people of Chicago. A coalition of environmental, consumer and labor groups have argued that in 1836 the park was declared “forever open, clear and free.” When the Citizen Action Illinois’ board recently took a vote, neither the Chicago Federation of Labor president Dennis Gannon nor the Service Employee International Union’s Illinois Council president Tom Balanoff were in attendance. They have declared that they are not taking a position on the plan. The final vote before the City Council is expected in June. – Chicago Tribune (22 April 2008)

Keith Kelleher of SEIU Chicago Demands Apology from United Healthcare Workers-West

Keith Kelleher, president of SEIU Local 880 of Illinois, has joined with a few other SEIU presidents to demand an apology from United Health Care Workers-West president Dan Martin for excluding rank and file members from delegate elections to the next SEIU convention. The UHW-W had rationalized that they wanted to hand-pick delegates to the convention who “know the most about the Union and are most actively involved in it.” However, the SEIU Local presidents demand that this attitude expresses “contempt…for your own rank-and-file membership…These hardly sound like the deliberations of a ‘bottom up’ organization.” – www.prsnewswire.com (17 April 2008)

Charter School Teachers Move to Form Union

More than 30 percent of the roughly 45 employees at the Cambridge Lakes Charter School in a subdivision of Pingree Grove, Illinois have signed union cards with the Illinois Education Association. Other workers at the school, including bus drivers and food service workers, have also begun to organize for a collective voice against the non-profit organization Northern Cane Educational Corporation. The educators have filed their petition for union representation with the Illinois Educational Labor Board and await the first election. –Daily Herald (25 March 2008)

One of the anti-union scare tactics that teachers report is an administrative form which requires teachers and staff to report any engagement with union discussions. The form requires teachers to pledge that he or she has not engaged in discussions “against the interest of my employer without regret or remorse and intend to assert my personal interest over those of my employer,” or that they did not participate in talks “and regret and repudiate any actions I have taken. I will, of my own free will, publicly apologize to the clients we serve and my peers, (and) withdraw any expression of interest given to a UniServ representative.” – Suburban Chicago News (4 Mar 2008)

Firefighters Call on Illinois Labor Relations Board

Firefighters in New Lenox, Illinois have argued that their district improperly reassigned 55 part-time firefighters last April while they were in the process of unionizing. The Service Employees International Union Local 73 which represents the firefighters has argued that the district “privatized” the department’s entire firefighting ranks in direct response to union organizing. – Suburban Chicago News (1 April 2008)

United Technologies Layoffs in Rockford

Hamilton Sunstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies, announced layoffs of 65 manufacturing workers at their Rockford, Illinois plant. Over the past few years, the division of about 2200 people has shifted hundreds of production jobs to Singapore. The company that now advertises itself as experts in aerospace engineering has made plans to hire about 150 more engineers to its Windsor Locks, Connecticut plant this year.—Boston News (2 April 2008)

Ford Layoffs in Chicago

Ford said that cutting shifts in Chicago, a Louisville sport-utility plant and a Cleveland engine plant is part of an onging plan to prevent expensive equipment stockpiles. “We’re trying to plan conservatively,” Ford sales analyst George Pipas said, arguing that a reduction in demand is an ideal way to reduce the falls in prices. “We will operate on one shift as long as we have to,” he continued. General Motors has recently offered retirement offers to 73,000 UAW members, and Chrysler LLC is offering similar packages at its UAW-supported plants. – Chicago Tribune (4 Mar 2008)

Illinois-based Companies Supportive of Free-Trade with Columbia

Several Illinois-based businesses, including Caterpillar, have joined with Walmart, Citigroup and other major corporations in supporting the controversial treaty with Columbia that would support free-trade. Director of the National Association of Manufacturers Douglas Goudie has argued that opportunity will benefit small businesses too, and cites Quality Float Works of Illinois as an example. “We’re not General Motors, we’re just the little guy,” said Sandy Westlund-Dennihan, Quality Float’s owner. Meanwhile, both Democratic presidential hopefuls, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and AFL-CIO president John Sweeny have argued that they promote the growth of good jobs in the United States. Treaties like this encourage corporations to exploit cheap labor overseas for the sake of corporate profiteering, but to the loss of potential sources of income for Americans.—Wall Street Journal (10 April 2008)

University of Illinois at Chicago Graduate Students March on Provost’s Office

Graduate students at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where student employees teach one third of all credit hours, have protested the administration for higher stipends and lowered fees. Students have argued that the administration uses the imposition of higher fees to offset what seems like modest gains in pay. These graduate students join those at the University of Chicago who have been rallying against the administration since February. One of the challenges they find is that while stipends for newer graduate students have been raised, those of already enrolled graduate students have not significantly increased. – Chicago Flame (14 April 2008)

First Transit Workers Join Teamsters

First Transit workers in McHenry, Illinois have voted 29-4 to join the Teamsters and become Local 731. This addition to the Teamsters, orchestrated through the joint efforts of Teamsters Joint Council 25, Teamsters Local 731 and the Teamsters. It is part of an ongoing effort to organize private school bus and transit workers. Ron Langton, a First Transit driver, reflected on the merger, “If you look in the paper, other bus driver positions are starting at $14 a hour. Here it’s a little over $10. All we want is fair play for the responsibility. I voted for the Teamsters to better our lives.”—Fox Business (8 April 2008)

Union Music Teachers File Grievance against District

The Illinois Education Association has filed a claim with Huntley Unit District 158, arguing that the district has overburdened elementary music teachers with seventeen classes. According to music teachers’ contracts, says the union, teachers are allowed 300 minutes of planning and grading time per week. Issuing a seventeenth class, they claim, cuts into planning time without any extra compensation. The union argues that the teachers should either be compensated extra for the class or not expected to teach it. Superintendent John Burkey has rejected the teachers’ request, arguing that to grant music teachers extra pay for this class would be unfair to the teachers who teach 1625 minutes per week without receiving extra pay. The Illinois Educational Labor Board is currently investigating the charge.—Daily Herald (8 April 2008)

Service Employees' International Union Struggles over Structure

Andy Stern, SEIU president and one of the country’s most dynamic and controversial labor leaders, has argued that locals should merge locally and even across states to gain the strength to take on major corporations. The leaders of many locals are concerned that this merge would only further centralize union bureaucracy. Paula Jones, member of Local 2000 in Florissant, Missouri, for example, has argued that “Workers have lost their voice” and that further merging of union locals would only exacerbate this problem. Some locals, however, already span cities and even state-lines. SEIU’s Local 1 is based in Chicago but spans janitors and building service workers in St. Louis, Kansas and Milwaukee. Stern was one of the primary leaders of the AFL-CIO’s Change to Win Federation, a coalition of major unions that have argued the union movement needs to focus more on organizing. Some union leaders who object to Stern sometimes argue that heightened organizing within unions can be accomplished without such bureaucratic merging of unions. For example, Sal Roselli of the United Healthcare Worker’s West has argued that his unit has grown to 150000 workers “without compromising the ability of workers to be in control of their union.” Stern’s allies contend that Roselli’s criticisms hurt the collective voice of the SEIU at a moment when they are already united by national political goals such as the nomination of Barack Obama for president. – St. Louis Today (20 Mar 2008)

Unionized University of Illinois Faculty in Minority

As faculty in Wisconsin have won the attention of legislators in their fight for a collective voice, many in Champaign-Urbana have reflected on the potential of faculty unionization at the University of Illinois. Field service director of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Jon Nadler has argued that the interest among faculty for a unions has generally been low. Labor education specialist Joe Berry has reflected that “Like any other employer, universities prefer to not have to deal with a union and deal with an employee individually.” John Murphy, executive vice president of the University Professionals of Illinois, has stated that “The faculty at the University of Illinois has not suffered enough to be clamoring for representation as a collective union.”— Daily Illini (7 March 2008)

Protest against Prison Shutdown in Will County

Residents of the rural Southern Illinois town of Vandalia have protested against the shut-down of their local prison facility over the last four years. Residents have joined with others who are upset with the state’s plan to close the maximum security wing at the Stateville Correctional Center north of Joliet, Illinois. Vandalia officials have protested that the shuddering of the local prison will cut as many as 400 paying jobs and relocate 1600 inmates to other prisons. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Council 31 has argued on behalf of the inmates that such a transition for the alleged sake of efficiency in Illinois will uproot inmates from steady access to visitation from their families. Many would be moved to the Thomson Correctional Center. Will County Center for Economic Development also opposes the shut-down of the prison facility. They contend that the change would strain local businesses who have served employees off the job. – Chicago Tribune (3 March 2008)

Employee Classification Act Takes Effect 1 Jan 2008

The Employee Classification Act, passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by Governor Blagojevich last summer, ensures that workers in the construction industry are protected by labor laws and not misclassified as “independent contractors.” The law presumes that an individual performing services is an “employee” unless he or she passes the “ABC Test.” That is, the individual must be free from direction or control over the performance of the service for the contractor; the service performed is outside of the usual course of services, and that the individual is an independently established trade, occupation or business. Sole proprietors must meet all twelve conditions specified by the act to use the tax status of independent contractor. The Illinois Department of Labor is willing to cooperate with unions to understand the new act and how it may apply to them. For additional information, see www.state.il.us/agency/idol - The Labor Paper (17 Jan 2008): 2.

Peoria Benefited by Water Resource Act

As a result of the override of the Water Resource Bill over President Bush’s veto, the Peoria and LaGrange Locks will both be expanded to 1200 feet. This change will minimize delays on the Illinois River when freight travels between St. Paul and St. Louis. The bill provides $16 million to construct three islands on the Illinois River to increase water flow through the Peoria Lakes area. Furthermore, the act appropriates $1.5 billion for the restoration of the ecosystem along the waterways. This includes 105,000 acres of habitat and 35,000 acres of floodplain. Each barge replaces 15 rail cars or 58 semi trucks. Hence, enhanced waterways decrease dependence on fuel. – Labor Paper (6 Dec 2007)`

AFL-CIO Protests Department of Homeland Security’s Demand to Identify Travelers as Unionists

President John Sweeney of the AFL-CIO and the Transportation Trades Department recently found that DHS secretary Michael Chertoff is in conversation with Council of the European Union president Louis Amado about what data to collect from international passengers in the identification of terrorist suspects. Chertoff said that the United States’ agency would be willing to use personal data, such as trade union membership, if “the life of a data subject or of others could be imperiled or seriously impaired.” Sweeney has put pressure on Chertoff to ensure that union membership not be identified as suspicious behavior. – St. Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune (5 Dec 2007)

West Central IL Building and Construction Trades Council meets with Customers

The WCIBCTC (see above) met with utility companies, Caterpillar and local hospitals in a roundtable on the construction needs of West Central Illinois in the months and years ahead. Director Dan Silverthorn explained, “We want to make sure we can supply the manpower they need.” Said Don Gorman, executive assistant for the Regional Council of Carpenters, “We have to hear what the key customers need and what their concerns are.” – The Labor Paper (17 Jan 2008): 1.

Building Trades Workers Meet with Labor Intellectual Mark Breslin

About 4000 Building trades workers met in the St. Charles Convention Center to hear Mark Breslin, author of “Organize or Die,” deliver a speech about the importance of worker pride and productivity. He said it was the largest group he had ever addressed in North America. He said that apprentices have the most at stake in failing to remain organized and trying their best to keep non-union workers from gaining a stronghold in Illinois and Missouri.- St.Louis/Southern Illinois Labor Tribune (18-24 Oct 2007): 1,10.

Postal Workers Protest Relocation of Priority Mail

Members of the Illinois Local American Postal Workers and their supporters have recently protested the scheduled relocation of priority mail processing to the more mechanized plant in Champaign. Postal workers protest the potential delay in delivery timing within the Peoria area and the impact of this change on community business. – The Labor Paper (1 Nov 2007): 1.

Court Sets Method of Proof in Class Action Sex Suit

The US District Court for Northern Illinois ruled that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission may not seek punitive damages for a “class,” with regard to sex, without providing evidence that such damages indeed affect every member. The decision comes in a case of sexual harassment and unequal treatment case brought by EEOC in 2001 against the International Profit Associates Inc. in Buffalo Grove. – Employment Discrimination Report (7 November 20007):

UA, Contractors and Corporations Discuss Future Labor Demands

The Mokena, Illinois meeting between a unions, contractors and corporations met in September to discuss the anticipated construction boom. Dr. Samuel Bodman, U.S. Secretary of Labor, delivered a keynote address outlining the potential need for highly skilled workers in the construction of nuclear energy facilities throughout the country. The conference also addressed the value of highly skilled journeymen in the United States. Participating were the United Association of Plumbers, Pipe-Fitters, Sprinkler Fitters and HVACR Service Technicians, collectively known as the UA, as well as the Mechanical Contractors Association and corporations including BP, Amoco, American Electric Power, Exelon, Bechtel, BMW and Southern Ohio Nuclear Integration Cooperative. –Grand Prairie Union News (November 2007):4.

Illinois Senate Passes Legislation

A series of bills were passed in the Illinois State Assembly. The first provided a 4000-position landbased casino in the City of Chicago, two river boats in unspecified locations and an expansion of 6000 gaming positions made available by bid to the nine existing casinos. Another piece of legislation provides $25.2 billion to fund the construction of Illinois’ roads, bridges and new schools. Meanwhile, a long-term funding solution for the Chicago Transit Authority is still pending. Currently, unions in Chicago have not backed any of the proposed plans.—Fox Valley Labor News (27 Sept 2007): 3.

Chicago Teachers' Union Agrees to Contract

The Chicago Teachers Union reached an agreement with the Chicago Board of Education that increases teachers’ salaries by 20 percent over the next four years, and provides additional salary steps for teachers and paraprofessionals in school-related personnel. Furthermore, teachers certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will receive a $1750 yearly bonus. Teachers at ten Chicago Public Schools will be eligible for performance-based bonuses as part of the Recognizing Excellence in Academic Leadership program. These bonuses are available to include janitors and clerks, and range from $1000 to $15000. – Chicago Federation of Labor (November 2007): 4.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Receives Four Year Collective Bargaining Agreement

Under the terms of the newly ratified agreement the Chicago Federation of Musicians has reached with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, in the first year of the contract workers will receive a 2.7 % increase in weekly base salary for the first six months, followed by a 4.4% wage increase for the next six months. –Chicago Federation of Labor (November 2007): 5.

Senators Model Independent Contractor Bill On Illinois Legislation

Both Illinois Senators, Dick Durbin and Barack Obama, along with Labor Committee Chairman Ted Kennedy and Washington Senator Patty Murray, in collaboration with the AFL-CIO, Change to Win, Teamsters and National Employment Law Project, have drafted national legislation modeled on that recently passed in Illinois to refine the definition of an independent contractor. Dick Durbin reflected, “When you walk down the streets of Chicago, and in the suburbs and towns throughout Illinois, you can see the construction workers hard at work building new homes, office buildings and roads. These workers deserve a fair share from employers who are not trying to cheat the system. Improperly labeling workers as independent contractors is cheating of the worst kind. Companies resorting to this dishonest practice avoid paying the taxes they owe and deny their employees their legal rights, including the right to a safe workplace, the right to the minimum wage, and the right to overtime.”—The Labor Paper (18 Oct 2007):2.

Blagojevich Supports Program to Expand Racial Diversity in Construction Trades

Gov. Blagojevich announced a plan to extend $6 Million in grants to the Employment Opportunities Grant Program, a fund that works with thirteen community-based organizations and educational institutions in Cook County and statewide. It is a part of Operation Returns, the Governor’s initiative in creating new jobs within the state. The fund will be administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Capital Development Board, the state’s primary “construction management agency.” Some of the grant recipients include the Chicago Interfaith Committee on Worker Issues, Chicago Public Schools, Coalition for United Community Action, Construction Careers Council, Dawson Technical Institute, OAI, Saint Paul Church of God in CHirst Community Development Ministries, Lincolnland Community College, Neighborhood Housing Development Corporation, Peoria Educational Region for Employment and Career Training, and Southwestern Illinois College. –Lasalle County Labor News (Sept/Oct 2007): 5.

Senator Dick Durbin Co-Sponsors Bankruptcy Reform

Introduced by House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), as well as the Senate Health, Education Labor and Pension Committee Chairman Edward Kennedy, the “Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business and Bankruptcy Act of 2007” would bar a company from shielding executives’ pensions and health benefits while cutting those of wage workers. Rich Pascarella, a 19 year Local 1759 member and United Airlines Ramp Serviceman at Dulles Airport reflected, “We could have used this bill five years ago, but legislation like this wouldn’t have had a chance in the last Congress.”—IAM Journal (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO): Fall 2007, 33.

Tripartite Meeting Tackles Construction Challenges

The United Association of Plumbers, Pipe-Fittters, Sprinkler Fitters and HVACR Service Technicians joined with some of the nation’s largest corporations at a conference in Mokena, IL to address the rising demand for skilled workers in the current construction boom. One of the most important national needs, according to US Secretary of Labor Samuel Bodman, is a body of highly skilled workers to build safe nuclear plants. One noted plan for continuing to train highly skilled craftsmen is the Helmets to Hardhats program that provides returning soldiers retraining opportunities, in cooperation with unions. Currently, the Illinois Pipe Trades Association Advancement Program (IPTAPP) provides cutting edge training by collaborating with 23 local unions and 1500 union contractors in Illinois and parts of Iowa and Indiana. – The Labor Paper (18 Oct 2007): 2.

More than 300 Master Sergeants in Illinois Join Teamsters

In the Illinois State Police ranking system, master sergeants fall above sergeants and troopers and below lieutenants and captains. They have been the only non-managerial level of officers in the system without union representation. In the process of organizing these private sector workers this past year, the state of Illinois filed objections to their rights to collective bargaining, holding that they have supervisory status. Soon after, the Fraternal Order of Police tried to organize these officers. However, the Teamsters, specifically t he Teamsters Law Enforcement League, won local elections. Not only are opportunities now open for union support in the case of promotion to master sergeant, but Teamster police officers automatically qualify to participate in TeamLegal, a national program that provides legal assistance for civil and criminal incidents, as well as preparation for grand jury hearings. – Teamster (International Brotherhood of Teamsters ): September/October 2007, 16-17.

IAM Endorses Clinton and Huckaee

President Tom Buffenbarger of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) announced that the union endorses both New York Senator Clinton and former Arkansas Governor Huckabee in the presidential primaries. He explained, “Our endorsement carries with it something priceless—a blue collar union’s seal of approval. And make no mistake about this. Blue collar families are the key demographic battleground in 2008.” Because 1/3 of the IAM self-identify as Republicans, the union decided to endorse a candidate on both sides of the aisle. “I was impressed with former Governor Mike Huckabee,” he continued. “He didn’t tell us what we wanted to hear. He told us what he believed, even when not a single one of us would have agreed with him. That took guts. That took conviction—not a bad combination.” About Clinton he reflected, the IAM is “looking for a strategic partner who will work with our union over the long haul, can amass over 70 million votes in the general election, can compete for 350 Electoral College votes, and can govern this nation in a time of multiple crises.” Under the Clinton Administration, “this union had a friend in the West Wing—and a friend in the East Wing. We fought with the Oval Office on NAFTA and PNTR. We worked with the East Wing on health care reform. We worked with the White House on the Family Medical Leave Act, a patients’ bill of rights and the creation of new JOBS. ..” Endorsements were made by voting of the membership. – IAM Journal (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO): Fall 2007, 10-21.

UFCW Secures Contract with Schnucks, Dierbergs, Shop n’ Save

Members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 655 in St. Charles, Illinois accepted what they called “one of the best contracts in the nation.” The three-year contract covers almost 10,000 Local 655 members working at supermarkets Dierbergs, Schnucks and Shop ‘n Save. It includes a gradual $1.20 increase in wages over the next three years and a weekly health care premium cost-sharing plan in the second and third years of the contract. Among the other benefit increases include: dental and vision benefits; holidays of Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas; maintenance of the current ratio of full-time to part-time workers; increased disability and life-insurance pay, and the formation of an industry-wide Labor and Management Committee that meets quarterly to address ongoing worker concerns. – St. Louis Labor Tribune (19 Sept 2007)

Illinois Trades Back Rep. Hoffman’s Infrastructure Plan

State Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville) called the Illinois General Assembly to approve a $24 billion comprehensive capital program to create new jobs in the state by upgrading roads, bridges and schools in the Metro-East. Most of the jobs would be in construction, so he called upon the Southwestern Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council to support his legislation. Some of the projects he proposes to fund include constructing a science building at Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville, building a new Mississippi River bridge, widening Illinois Route 159 in several places, complete Interstate 255, expand Governor’s Parkway and provide millions of dollars for elementary school construction. – Labor Tribune (26 Sept 2007)

Chicago City Council Investigates Comcast

The Chicago City Council Aldermen Freddrenna Lyle, Toni Preckwinkle, Leslie Hairston, Ray Suarez and Joe Moore sponsored a resolution to require Comcast to appear before a hearing of the Committee on License and Consumer Protection. Over 100 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers are currently disputing a contract with this largest cable company in the country. The city’s Cable Ordinance bans discrimination in the payment of wages. – Federation News (Oct 2007)

Decisions Made on Department of Energy Workers Exposed to Radiation

A law that went into effect July 31, 2001 provides a $150,000 lump sum reimbursement for medical expenses to qualifying workers who continue to suffer because of radiation exposure. During the Second World War and the Cold War, the Department of Energy employed thousands of workers in nuclear processing and testing facilities. The U.S. Health and Human Services Department issued a final ruling on July 10, 2007 that establishes a 180 day period for the agency to finally evaluate whether an individual qualifies for compensation related to radiation exposure. An additional law provides $50,000 for workers suffering from uranium exposure. – Boilermaker Reporter (July-Sept 2007)

General Motors Back to Work After Two Day Strike

The United Auto Workers came to agreement with General Motors after a two day strike. Central to the agreement is a provision of job security and the decision to house more than $50 billion in workers’ health care with the union. – The Guardian (27 Sept 2007)

Worker Allergic to Fragrances has no ADA Claim

An office employee at Morgan Stanley who is highly sensitive to perfume has no claim to compensation within the American Disabilities Act, the Northern District of Illinois ruled. The court ruled that though she is temporarily restricted from activities such as breathing and seeing when exposed to such fragrances, those “intermittent flare ups” do not substantially limit her life activity. – Daily Labor Report (11 Sept 2007)

Teamsters Charge Chicago Local Official of Insufficient Oversight

International Brotherhood of Teamsters president James Hoffa ordered internal union charges be brought against a Chicago official. The local officer allegedly allowed improper contact between one of his employees and his father, who is a former official who was expelled for misconduct in 2002. His decision came in response to investigations by an Independent Review Board commissioned to root out corruption within the union. The report charges Robert Hogan with failure to supervise Local 714 employee Robert Riley, who admitted to investigators that he had improper contact with Hogan’s father, William T. Hogan. According to the report, Riley maintained regular contact with William Hogan between 2003 and 2006. Robert Hogan currently serves both as secretary-treasurer of the Berwyn-based Local 731 and as Vice President of Chicago’s Joint Council 25, though Hoffa has announced that he “brought reproach on the IBT.” – Daily Labor Report ( 14 Sept 2007)

Carhartt Plant Conversion from Production to Warehousing in Galesburg

Carhartt, a clothing manufacturing company based in Dearborn, Michigan, has announced layoffs for 33 employees, all of whom are union members. The family owned company has handled the sewing of cotton canvas outerwear. However, it will be converted to a distribution and warehouse center for irregular and overstock items. John Mozena, public relations manager for the company, said that the facility is committed to “the most efficient mix of domestic and international manufacturing and processing facilities.” Twenty five jobs—17 union and eight management—will remain at the plant. – Peoria Journal Star (20 Sept 2007)

State Loses Jobs in Large-Scale Corporate Research

While employment in corporate research and development—“where science is harnessed to pursue profit”—increased 16 percent nationally between 2001 and 2006, it fell almost 28 percent in Illinois. The state, which used to be ranked second to California in such jobs, is now in seventh place. According to the Chicago Tribune, the culprit may be the shutting down of telecommunications research labs in suburban Chicago. In the last ten years, Lucent Technologies ended 7000 jobs, G.D. Searle & Co. in Skokie layed off 1000 more. Motorola has also closed plants, not excepting the facility in the University of Illinois’ research park. Meanwhile, China and India have some of the world’s fastest- growing major research and development markets. While the average Illinois employees in this field make over $100,000 per year, labor is cheaper overseas. Some executives in the field are encouraged that small high-tech companies, especially those who could have settled in more expensive locations, do favor Illinois a basis of operations. A Japanese drug firm Astellas Pharma opened a research center at the old Searle site earlier this year. Even though Baxter International saw a net cut in jobs over the last decade, North Chicago’s Abbott Laboratories has close to 150 research and development job openings, and its spending in this area rose 44 percent between 2001 and 2006. – Chicago Tribune (26 August 2007)

Tougher Penalties for Motorists in School/Construction Zones

Governor Rod Blagojevich signed legislation increasing penalties against drivers who kill school personnel, construction workers or students while driving through construction and school zones. If motorists drive faster than ten miles over the posted speed limit in these marked zones and kill someone, their sentence can be judged as “reckless homicide.” According to Blagojevich, 181 Illinois Department of Transportation employees have been killed since 1951. – Occupational Safety and Health (6 Sept 2007): 779-80.

Federal Funding for Predominantly Black Institutions in Illinois

Illinois Senator Barack Obama and Representative Danny Davis sponsored and passed a bill in the senate to provide increased funding to “predominantly black institutions.” The College Cost Reduction and Access Act will set aside $15 million for institutions that are not categorized as Historically Black Colleges and Universities but have a predominant number of African American students. The funding is expected to apply to 75 institutions in 17 states, including four year and two year schools. In Illinois, the institutions that could benefit from these include: City Colleges of Chicago– Kennedy-King College ; Chicago State University; South Suburban College; City Colleges of Chicago – Harold Washington College; City Colleges of Chicago – Malcolm X College; City Colleges of Chicago – Olive-Harvey College; East-West University ; and Robert Morris College. Lobbyists who had pushed for the bill hail from the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund, National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), the United Negro College Fund and the American Association of Community Colleges. – Baltimore Sun (7 Sept 2007) http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/09/obama_davis_boost_a_new_type_o.html

New Polytechnic High School Opens in Chicago

Sponsored by Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council, a federation of business, labor, government, education and community leaders, Austin Polytechnical Academy has opened as a new public high school under the approval of the Chicago Public Schools’ Board of Education. Dan Swinney, executive director of the Council, is also executive director of the Chicago-based Center for Labor and Community Research. Requiring uniforms for all 130 freshmen, the experimental Renaissance 2010 public high school cooperates with local businesses to prepare students for the high tech industry. It shares space with the Austin Business and Entrepreneurship High School, a two year pre-engineering academy. – Chicago Tribune (5 Sept 2007) http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-schoolday_05sep05,1,3252974,full.story

Illinois Requires Hospitals to Establish Minimum Nursing Staff Levels

Governor Blagojevich signed legislation requiring hospitals to ensure that staffing levels within each inpatient care unit to align with the specific needs of patients in those units. The new law also requires criminal background checks for several groups of private workers: health care workers with direct contact with patients, carnival workers, and employees of non-public schools. The law requires that each hospital implement a written, facilitywide staffing plan that enumerates minimum levels of direct care registered nurse-to patient staffing requirements for each inpatient care unit. – Daily Labor Report (28 Aug 2007): A-5.

Union Workers Protest Cuts at East St. Louis Hospital

Union workers rallied outside Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital in East St. Louis to protest 120 job cuts and the possibility of the facility’s closing. The Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation says they hope to combine the services of this hospital with those at Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville. Under the consolidation plan now proposed, Kenneth Hall would retain only an emergency room and acute mental health care programs. Reverend Ken McCoy of the Metropolitan Organizations Strengthening and Empowering Society has solicited Governor Blagojevich to not let suburban interests overpower the 31,500 people who live in East St. Louis, many of whom are served and employed by the hospital. East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks said, “Every day there are 13,000 people between 10th Street and the Mississippi River, and I'm just talking about employees — not to mention all the people who visit the Casino Queen on a regular basis, not to mention all the people who come to the federal courthouse on a regular basis," Parks said. "We need a hospital in East St. Louis." – St. Louis Post-Dispatch Today (7 Sept 2007)

Illinois Bans Construction “Independent Contractors”

In what might set a precedent for the country, Governor Blagojevich signed a law prohibits the construction industry’s use of “independent contractor” status to dodge liability and payments of taxes and benefits. The law declares that a construction worker is an employee unless the worker is “free from” employer control, “providing a service outside the usual course of business” for the employer, and “engaged in an independently established trade.” Currently, thousands of construction workers, including one in every twelve employed in Illinois, are illegally declared independent contractors. – The Labor Paper (16 Aug 2007): 13.

OSHA Issues Whistleblower Protection Rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration refined the protocol for whistleblower complaints filed with the Department of Labor. Now, the rule covers complaints brought under the Clean Air Act of 2005; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; Federal Water Pollution Control Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Solid Waste Disposal Act; and Toxic Substances Control Act. The rule is aimed at making consistent the procedures for handling complaints under the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974(amended in 2005) and more recent acts. – SafteyNet (28 Aug 2007):121.

United Transportation and Sheet Metal Union Merge

Members of the United Transportation Union have voted to merge with the Sheet Metal Workers International Association to form a new, 230,000 member union called the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART). The new merger will create a new transportation division combining the SMWIA’s union shipyard workers and the UTU’s air, bus, and rail contracts. – Daily Labor Report (8 August 2007): A-11.

IAM to Endorse Candidates from Both Parties

Since approximately 35 percent of its membership identifes as Republicanns, the International Association of Machinists plans later this year to endorse a presidential primary candidate from each party. The final endorsement of a single presidential candidate will be made following input from elected delegates to the IAM convention of September 2008. – Union Labor Report (10 August 2007): 122.

Delphi Reaches Pacts with Four Unions

Delphi Corp., which has filed for bankruptcy, reached agreements with four unions: the International Union of Electrical Workers, Communication Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, International Association of Machinists, and International Union of Operating Engineers. The agreements are subject to bankruptcy court approval. – Labor Relations Week (9 August 2007):1133.

Bill Dugan Re-Elected Despite Allegations

Despite allegations that the president of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, Bill Dugan, accepted monthly kickbacks from his employees, union members have voted against the claim to unseat him. The union, located in Countryside, Illinois, represents workers who operate backhoes, cranes, bulldozers and other heavy equipment. – Chicago Tribune (28 August 2007)

Chicago Guarantees Prevailing Wages to Building Trades Employees

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and the leaders of over 33 construction unions agreed to a new, ten-year contract of prevailing wages for over 8,000 building trades employees in Chicago. It also provides for a Labor Management Cooperative Committee, comprised of ten labor and management representatives, which will serve as a forum for addressing continuing discussions on disputes over pensions, health care costs and work rule disputes. Tom Villanova of the Building and Construction Trades Council applauds the contract. "Chicago is the only large city left in which building trades employees get the prevailing wage," he said. The agreement seeks more women and minorities in the industry, including at least 100 graduates of the Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago for apprenticeship programs. Incentives will be provided to keep health costs low with periodic health screenings. –Construction Labor Report (15 Aug 2007): 793.

Judge Approves FLSA "Collective Action" by Mortgage Lender Hourly Workers

Erica Heckler, who has received court approval for her collective action suit to enforce the Fair Labor Standards Act, claims that she and other hourly employees performed work during "off the clock" time that at home, during meal breaks and on weekends that has not been duly compensated. Furthermore, the DK Funding LLC employee alleges that company officials manually edited hourly employees' time records to reduce or erase some overtime work. The Northern District of Illinois' Judge Matthew F. Kennelly has ruled that she has provided sufficient evidence to send out letters and other appeals to find similarly grieved workers who would be redressed by the class action suit. DK Funding has argued that claims for off-the-clock work involve "individual considerations, making them inappropriate for collective treatment."—Daily Labor Report (24 August 2007): A-1.

Management Promotes Union Organizing in Southern Illinois Ballparks

Griffin Goetz, assistant director of Laborers’ Midwest Region Organizing Committee, has announced the pleasant surprise that Southern Illinois Miners “are strong believers in workers’ rights.” Miners Vice President Erik Haag reflected, “Union labor is what got this ballpark done on time and looking like it does. We have a good relationship so far and I don’t expect that to change.” The union is also working to organize custodial and concession services at the ballpark, workers for ARAMARK. – The Southern (8 August 2007)

Tenneco Considers Purchcasing Delphi Plant

Tenneco Inc., headquartered in Lake Forest, has reached a tentative agreement with the IUE-CWA to buy a plant in Kettering. The plant currently employs 700 workers, but Tenneco plans to reduce the workforce to between 350 and 375. New work for the plant will come from General Motors and include struts, strut modules and shock absorbers. Workers are expected to take pay cuts. Production workers, who currently earn between $11 and $23.99 per hour, will now earn $10 per hour for the same labor. Skilled trade workers, who currently make $26 per hour, will now earn $21 per hour. – Dayton Business Journal (8 August 2007)

Springfield City Employees Protest New Ordinance

Springfield firefighters have joined other city employees in a petition to stop a proposed ordinance that would grant alderman access to all city documents, including those that might vilify city workers. The current debate is over access to an in-depth Illinois State Police report of alleged police misconduct. Many Springfield city employees hold that the ordinance, now passed by the city council but not yet signed by Mayor Tim Davlin, violates collective bargaining agreements. Davlin has said that it is not necessary for council members to view personnel documents in order to perform their jobs. If Davlin vetoes the ordinance, it would be his first in five years as Mayor of Springfield. – Springfield Journal Register (14 August 2007)

Southern Illinois Mine Cited with Multiple Violations of Mine Safety

Located in Saline County, the Galatia mine, owned by the American Coal Company, a subsidiary of Murray Energy Corporation, has been cited by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration with 869 violations so far this year. It has accumulated unpaid fines of more than $3 million dating back to 1999. The company holds that they protest many of these as unfair. The United Mine Workers of America has run campaigns against Robert Murray, the chairman of the mining company and board member of the National Mining Association. This association has cited Murray’s support for the federal Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act which was passed last year. He maintains that despite what federal inspectors have found, his mines are “not particularly better or particularly worse than any other mine operator in the country.” – Forbes.com (9 August 2007)

Locked Out Electrical Workers at Quad City Die Casting Win Federal Negotiation

Members of United Electrical Workers Union Local 1174, workers for Quad City Die Casting, were locked out of their jobs after rejecting contract offers on July 8th and 29th. After talks with a federal negotiator, however, they have announced that they may return to work soon. Tim Curtin, international representative of the electrical workers’ union, said that workers are still concerned with the company’s plans to employ temporary and part-time employees. On top of fears of depressed wages, electrical workers fear that temporary workers face safety hazards when handling molten aluminum without proper experience. – WQAD (Moline) (13 August 2007)

Mt. Sinai Nurses Vote Against Joining National Union

Nurses at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Chicago have rejected the National Nurses Organizing Committee in a vote 293 to 152. Fernando Losada, the union’s director of collective bargaining for Illinois, has reported that the union swayed the vote by exerting pressure and misinformation on the election. The union targeted 508 registered nurses at he hospital. The loss comes as a setback for the union after the successful organizing of 1800 Cook County Bureau of Health Services workers in 2005. – Chicago Business (7 August 2007)

Illinois Factory Worker Failed to Prove that Firing was Retaliation

Thomas McCoy, assembly line worker at Maytag’s plant in Herrin, Illinois, injured his shoulder and received short-term disability payments from the company. When he applied for workmen’s compensation under the state workmen’s compensation agency, however, Maytag at first disputed the claim and then agreed to pay a lump sum of $8,856.69. He and the company did not communicate over his monthly health status while he was off on disability, and four months later found that the company would not take him back to his previous job. He alleges that the company fired him in retaliation for his workmen’s compensation claim and deserves job protection under his United Auto Workers contract. The U.S. District Court ruled for Maytag that he was discharged because he failed to provide Maytag with monthly status reports, one of the provisions of his union agreement. – Daily Labor Report (2 August 2007): A-8.

UPS Extends Spousal Health Benefits to IBT Workers in Civil Unions

Domestic partner benefits are not included in the current collective bargaining agreement between UPS and IBT. However, UPS recently agreed to extend spousal health benefits to workers in civil unions. New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine urged the company to consider same-sex couples who enter civil unions under the same status as married couples.—Labor Relations Week (2 August 2007): 1095.

Lawmakers Announce Rate Reduction for Electricity

The Illinois General Assembly and various Illinois utility companies (including AmerenIP, AmercenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, and ComEd) have reached an agreement to reduce the cost of electricity within the state. ComEd and its parent company Exelon will contribute $800 million, Ameren $150 million and other small power generators in the state will front the remaining $50 million for the relief bill. Ameren customers will receive a rebate check in early September. An estimated 40-70 percent of the increases imposed this year will be rolled back, and a 34.5 percent rate hike will be phased in over the next three years. Attorney General Lisa Madigan argued, “Critical to this agreement is not just immediate relief, but also long-term relief to ensure that customers are protected in the future.” – The Labor Paper (2 August 2007): 1.

House Approves Bill to Require Bargaining for State and Local Employees

Firefighters, Police Officers, and Emergency Medical Service Employees would be allowed to unionize, bargain over working conditions and sign legally enforceable labor contracts under the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act just passed in the House. This national law would protect the rights of public employees to bargain in 21 states which do not currently protect collective bargaining. Unions supporting the bill include the International Association of Fire Fighters, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, International Union of Police Organizations, National Association of Police Organizations, and Fraternal Order of Police. Two states, North Carolina and Virginia, explicitly prohibit public safety employees from engaging in collective bargaining. Four more states allow bargaining as a local option but prohibit legally enforceable contracts. Eleven states allow it only as a local option. Finally, four states allow bargaining only for firefighters and not for police officers. – Government Employee Relations (24 July 2007): 850.

McDonald’s Raises Pay for Chinese Workers

Oakbrook, Illinois-based McDonald’s announced yesterday that restaurant and full-time office workers in China will be paid 12 to 56 percent over the Chinese minimum wage. An official sponsor of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the company has spread up its expansion and caught up with KFC, subsidiary of its rival Yum! Brands Inc. – Shanghai Daily (8 August 2007)

Women Truckies Increasing in US

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of women truck drivers and operators of other heavy machinery is increasing. In 2006, the Bureau counted 182,000, 5.2 percent of the country’s 3.5 million truck (and similar) drivers are women. This is up almost two percent from figures in 1983. Greenbay, Wisconsin-based Schneider National Inc’s Ellen Voie has noted how the industry has become more female-friendly over the years, but still does not often provide basic facilities such as toilets, showers and a secure place to sleep that are friendly to women. Chairman Ray Kuntz of ATA, the largest US trucking lobbying group, spoke of the need for trucking companies to invest the necessary infrastructure to make it easier for females to join the workforce of heavy machine operators. He said, “If we don’t reach a broader audience, the lack of drivers will bring the US economy to its knees.” In World War II, thousands of women joined the trucking industry but the number plummeted in the immediate postwar years. – www.stuff.co.nz (6 August 2007)