Teamster Urges Chicago Aldermen to Oppose Privatization

Proposal to Outsource Snow Removal Is a Mistake,
Union Says

A Teamsters trustee is actively opposing a new proposal from the Daley administration to hire private outfits to plow Chicago’s side streets this winter.

Becky Strzechowski, Trustee of Teamsters Local 726, has urged Chicago aldermen to reject the proposed ordinance by formally issuing an opposition policy statement. Outlining the damage such privatization will inflict on the city’s budget, employees and streets themselves, Strzechowski reached out to policymakers last week through a coordinated campaign that included visits to the city council.

“The Teamsters’ policy statement makes it clear that the privatization of snow removal will cost the city more money, jeopardize the safety of our neighborhoods and leave our highly skilled workers out of a job,” Strzechowski said. “Through e-mail campaigns, fax blasts and distribution of our statement at City Hall, the Teamsters are making sure every alderman knows this proposal is a mistake.”

The trustee, with Local 726 Assistant Trustee Bill Logan, has also scheduled meetings with individual aldermen who have expressed specific interest in engaging constituents from their respective wards in the conversation.

“All 50 aldermen on the city council personally received our policy statement and understand our position,” Logan said. “The Teamsters are looking forward to the additional support our campaign against privatization will receive from city council members.”

Strzechowski expects future meetings to help the union bring more attention to the most critical components of its opposition. Among them, the Teamsters will be asking City Hall to consider unforeseen costs in training private company employees and whether or not snow removal privatization represents a violation of the union’s current collective bargaining agreement.

Download PDF

LATEST NEWS »