Labor in Illinois

1. Workers Rally in Chicago in Favor of Employee Free Choice Act

Over 3,000 union members rallied on Chicago's West Side in support of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), a bill in Congress that would facilitate unionization for workers. Alderman Ed Burke and Congressman Danny Davis of Illinois joined the cheering crowd, with unions such as the Teamsters, the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), and others filling the Plumbers' Union hall. "A key component of the bill, supporters say, calls for a union to be formed immediately if a majority of of workers sign a card authorizing union representation, explained Anders Lindall, a spokesman for AFSCME Council 31." But the EFCA, if passed, would also strengthen penalties against employers that discipline and harass workers during unionizing drives, and would provide avenues to mediation and arbitration within 90 days of a union organizing for it to successfully negotiate a first contract. --Chicago Sun-Times (18 February 2009) http://www.suntimes.com/business/1436649,CST-NWS-labor18.article

2. Unions, Businesses Prepare for Major Fight over Employee Free Choice Act

Labor and business leaders expect the upcoming legislative battle over the proposed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) to be one of the most hotly contested of the year. “We are here to let you know today, that this is organized labor's No. 1 on the agenda," said Dennis Gannon, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, this week. Business leaders are just as adamant over the bill. "We think this will be one of the most significant debates [of the year],” said Brian Turmail, spokesman for the Associated General Contractors of America. “This debate will be about whether decisions will be made in places like Peoria or Greensboro, or in Washington." The bill's provisions allow workers to form a union through "card check," after a majority of workers sign cards for a union. It also provides a defined period of 90 days for mediation and arbitration that would allow a newly formed union to successfully negotiate a first contract, and stiffer penalties for companies that threaten, harass, or fire workers during union organizing drives. --Medill Reports Chicago (19 February 2009) http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=117573

3. Wal-Mart Plans Expansion in Chicago

Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retail franchise corporation, is making plans to expand its presence in Chicago. Currently, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based corporation has only one store within the city. Unions and community groups have thus far successfully blocked Wal-Mart from opening more store within city limits, and will likely do so again. "They're trying to take advantage of an economic crisis to move into these urban markets, but the dynamics have not changed," said Jerry Morrison, executive director of the Service Employees International Union's Illinois council. One of the locations Wal-Mart is apparently considering is in the predominately African-American South Side. --Wall Street Journal (11 February 2009) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123429120871869301.html

4. Addus HealthCare, SEIU Agree on Unionizing Health-Care Workers Plan

Palantine-based Addus HealthCare and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have renewed a neutrality agreement, first agreed upon in 2006, through 2010 stipulating that Addus would not oppose SEIU efforts to unionize their employees at 119 company facilities. The agreement paves the way for SEIU's push to organize the remaining one-quarter of Addus's 12,000-person workforce that is not currently unionized. SEIU president Andy Stern hailed the agreement in one of the lowest-paid but fastest-growing sectors of the US economy. “If you cast away ideology and just focus on the bottom line, this partnership works,” SEIU President Andy Stern said. “What’s sad is that too many people in business let their anti-union ideology get in the way of their bottom line.” --Medill Reports Chicago (10 February 2009) http://news.medill.northwestern.edu/chicago/news.aspx?id=115027

5. Elgin-Area Workers Hit Again with Layoffs

Three Elgin-area employers have planned to or have already begun to lay off workers, further adding to the city's economic difficulties. WMH Tool Group, a manufacturer of tool accessories, will have laid off about 60 employees by the end of the year. A Citi branch office laid off 51 employees when the branch closed on December 29, while Elgiloy Specialty Metals will start laying off up to 77 workers beginning March 16. All three businesses reported these layoffs to the state, in compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, or WARN. --Suburban Chicago Courier News (19 February 2009) http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/business/1437101,More-layoffs-impact-Elgin_EL021809.article