Officials at Chicago’s McCormick Place are appealing a permanent injunction issued June 22 by U.S. District Court Ronald Guzman that strikes down the state-mandated labor reforms enacted for the convention center last year in an effort to hold costs down and make the facility more competitive in the trade show market.
In March, the judge ruled that many of the reforms were illegal, claiming that the state legislature went beyond the terms of union contracts in ordering them. However, he did not issue a permanent injunction against them and the reforms have continued to be enacted.
The Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA), which oversees McCormick Place and Navy Pier, issued a statement that MPEA is asking the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals for a stay while it presents its case as to why Judge Guzman’s ruling should be overturned.
“Chicago’s convention industry is an extremely important economic engine,” the statement read. “Much positive development has occurred since the reforms were put I place, and with so much to gain and so much more to lose, we are confident that we will be ale to achieve a long-term solution that will ensure the vitality of Chicago’s visitor industry.”
The labor reforms, which include giving exhibitors more leeway in putting up their own booths and reduce labor crew sizes under new rules regarding overtime provisions, have been credited with prompting several large trade show customers to recommit their events to McCormick Place.
