Labor in Illinois

Weekly Labor News Report
October 3, 2007

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)