Union workers reject deal for raises again

From the Hyde Park Herald

November 7th, 2007

By SAM CHOLKE, Staff Writer

Clerical workers and other University of Chicago employees in Teamsters Local 743 again rejected a contract Oct. 30.

Workers and the university have been in a stalemate since January over pay rates for the next three years.

"At our last negotiating session the union indicated that they were supportive of the tentative agreement and they would support and recommend that agreement to their membership," said Gwynne Dilday, associate vice president of Human Resources at the university. "And in fact, the tentative agreement did not get ratified."

Workers, students and faculty held a rally Oct. 31 in front of the Administration Building, 5801 S. Ellis, to raise awareness of the continuing negotiation. Around 60 people picketed on Halloween and some dressed for the occasion, like Aliza Levine, who dressed as the fair contract fairy.

"I think it's so important that when the workers are fighting for a living wage that weĠre here with them as students," Levine said. "These are the people who make the university run."

Students hoped the rally would make a difference but were hesitant to say the event would break the stalemate.

"I don't know if it's the breaking point, but there have been better offers afterwards," said Rosa Newman, a student at the university. "If nothing else, at least they know that we support them."

Negotiators for the Teamsters have been holding fast to what theyĠre calling a 4 percent cost of living wage increase. Negotiations thus far have danced close to the workers' request in various incarnations but never landed on the magic number.

"Once again, the membership and the employees at the University of Chicago rejected their offer," said Sidney Simmons, a union steward and a lead housekeeper for residential housing. "I don't know what day we'll go back to the table, but I hope this time the message will be a lot stronger." Simmons said the workers are not concerned with how the 4 percent is distributed over the three years - several small pay increases and a bonus, or yearly raises - as long as they hit close to that number.

"We're opening the door to all shop employees because if we get a fair contract, we want the next union to get a fair contract," Simmons said. Both sides said they went into the negotiations open-minded and remain receptive as talks continue.