Chicago
Gov. Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday announced labor accords with key McCormick Place unions, ending a long-running period of uncertainty for the convention center.
The two officials helped broker deals with Teamsters Local 727 and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. Those organizations went to court last year to challenge a new state law that imposed labor work-rule changes at the exhibition hall, and they succeeded in getting the rules tossed out earlier this year.
"This lifts the cloud that had been over McCormick Place," said Mayor Emanuel, "and shows that had been waiting to make a decision now have the certainty they need. This is the worst news for Orlando and Las Vegas -- McCormick Place is open for business."
Teamsters Local 727 has agreed to a host of changes aimed at cutting exhibitors' costs and keeping Chicago competitive with rival cities. The package would cut crew sizes from three to two workers, give exhibitors the right to unload their own vehicles and lengthen straight-time windows. It is similar to the earlier legislative changes.
