Chicago Park District workers and union leaders gather in front of City Hall on March 26, 2024. The union SEIU Local 73 represents over 2,200 Chicago Park District workers. (WTTW News)
Unionized workers with the Chicago Park District are calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson to intervene in contract negotiations after workers voted to authorize a strike.
“We’re here today to see our mayor, and hopefully he can assist us in this goal of getting a fair contract,” Joann Baker, Chicago Park District landscaping foreman and union bargaining team member, said during a Tuesday news conference in front of City Hall.
The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
More than 2,200 Chicago Park District workers, represented by the union SEIU Local 73, have been in contract negotiations for nine months, the union said.
The workers represented include park supervisors, aquatics instructors, lifeguards, landscapers, custodians, teachers and accountants, according to the union.
The union is negotiating $20/hour minimum starting pay, more monthly full-time positions, insurance for all, a transparent promotions process and pay increases.
A Chicago Park District spokesperson said in a statement, “The Park District continues to engage SEIU to negotiate in good faith with the goal of a successor contract that meets the needs and interests of our dedicated employees and the Park District as well as residents and Chicago taxpayers as a whole.”
Chicago Park District workers last authorized a strike in 2019. A strike authorization vote is part of standard procedure in which represented workers give their union the authority to call a strike.
The next contract bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]
