Labor in Illinois

Week of March 26, 2007

Chrysler Belvidere Headed to Arbitration

The UAW local representing Belvidere assembly plant locals will go seek federal arbitration over the fairness of 600 "enhanced temporary employees," temporary workers, hired to fill out three shifts. DaimlerChrysler contends that two-year contracts, with no guarantee of future work, are permissible within the current contract. Compared to the old temporary positions with a maximum 119 days of work, the new temporary employee contract system pays less and has lower bonus and medical benefits. Belvidere temporary worker and Illinois resident Kathy Hungness, part of the union lawsuit, was dismissed on the old temporary contract and rehired on the new temporary contract, a few months later. She and four other Illinois residents seek class action status in their suit for breach of the UAW labor contract. Some predict that the UAW jobs bank, "where laid off workers do other odd jobs while still receiving most of their pay," will be an important part of negotiations in the new contract. Currently, workers like Hungness are compelled to take back their old jobs for less compensation because it would have cut unemployment benefits.— Rockford Register-Star http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070323/BUSINESS05/103230016 (23 Mar 2007)

Management Organizations PALM and TRI-CON merge

Peoria Area Labor Management and Tri-County Construction-Management Council now share office space in the Chase Bank building in downtown Peoria . They are considering merging at some point in the future, but currently use different funding systems: the former from membership dues and grants, and the latter from area contractors and unions. Their partnership represents the potential of managerial, but also union, strength across construction and manufacturing industries in Peoria. -- Peoria Journal Star ( 25 Mar 2007) http://www.pjstar.com/stories/032507/PAU_BCNV4JL4.027.php

Gov. Blagojevich Suggests "Railports" Spur Agricultural Exports

Governor Blagojevich recently announced the results of a study that found "intermodal rail terminals" in Ogle and Will counties have brought unexpected benefits to local farm economies. Several years ago, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad established Logistics Park Chicago in Ellwood and Global Ill in Rochelle, truck-to-train loading ramps that avoid shipping on barges via the Mississippi River. Now, Blagojevich reports, Illinois corn, soybeans and DDGS (corn meal co-product) are being shipped via rail to the West Coast, and often loaded onto container vessels for delivery to Asia. State Senator AJ Wilhelmi (D-Joliet) has expressed enthusiasm for the "more effective containerized export system that will advance or regional economy."- Illinois Department of Agriculture News Release http://www.agr.state.il.us/newsrels/r0322071.html (22 Mar 2007)

New Tenants for Plants in Central Illinois

Though the closing of the Revere Corning and Thrall Trinity Freight Car plants brought temporary recession to the Clinton economy in Central Illinois , Syngenta and Trinity Structural Towers have plans for reoccupying the two premises as tenants. The Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce predicts that these new tenants, combined with Aramark Uniforms' renovation and expansion of its old facility, will create about 300 new jobs. Pantagraph (25 Mar 2007) http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2007/03/25/money/doc4606021e7a7d2477345835.txt

Teamsters, UI Debate Contract Language

According to the Teamsters' contract with the UI, some workers receive a "prevailing rate" of about $26 per hour, while others receive a "negotiated rate" of about $20 per hour. Beginning in March 2006, Teamsters argue, some who should have received the prevailing rate have been receiving the negotiated rate. They also contend that negotiated rate drivers have not had adequate opportunities to receive "upgrades" to prevailing rate work. Furthermore, Teamsters observe, senior drivers are not receiving as many opportunities for overtime work. The case has now been submitted to the Labor Board to determine whether or not a hearing will take place. – ( Champaign) News Gazette (25 March 2007) http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2007/03/25/teamsters_ui_at_odds_over_contract_language

Change to Win Faces Internal Divides

After it broke away from the AFL-CIO nearly two years ago, the Change to Win coalition faces internal divides. When it initially broke away, Change to Win vowed to focus less on presidential politics and more on union organizing, with joint strategies in retirement security, healthcare, and immigration. However, all the unions do not agree on how to go about achieving these objectives. For example, some unions are unhappy with SEIU's plans to work with Wal-Mart in developing a plan for universal health coverage by 2012. – LA Times (27 Mar 2007) http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-labor27mar27,1,5667346,print.story?ctrack=2&cset=true