Workers who staff parking operations at airports, hotels and office buildings throughout Chicago have voted by a margin of more than 98% to authorize a strike, according to their union, Teamsters Local 727.
The parking garage attendants, porters and customer service representatives work for more than a dozen companies that staff parking operations throughout the Chicago area, including at airports, hotels, office buildings, hospitals and other venues, according to the Teamsters.
The union is in negotiations with the workers’ employers, which are represented jointly by the Chicago Parking Association. A contract that covers about 1,200 full- and part-time workers at the numerous private companies expires on Halloween, and a strike could begin as soon as Sunday, according to the Teamsters.
In a statement, a representative for the Parking Association said the group was “negotiating in good faith for an agreement in the mutual interest of all parties, including our employees and the customers we serve” and remained “committed to the collective bargaining process.”
The parties participated in negotiations on Friday, the Teamsters said.
The union warned that strikes could bring “delays or disruptions” throughout the city.
The Chicago Department of Aviation, which runs O’Hare and Midway airports, said in a statement it would “work closely with its parking contractors to assess potential impacts and maintain uninterrupted parking services.”
According to the Teamsters, strikes could occur at all locations covered by the agreement, or only at some of them. Strikes wouldn’t necessarily begin at the same time.
The union said any strikes would be over unfair labor practice charges the union has filed or will file with the National Labor Relations Board, which it said include allegations of retaliation, unlawful surveillance and refusal to bargain. The Parking Association did not directly address the unfair labor practice allegations.