Nearly 1,200 union parking workers launched a strike across the Chicago area early Tuesday morning, walking off the job and setting up picket lines that threaten potential disruptions at airports, hospitals, and other businesses.
Master Agreement Expires as Contract Talks Collapse
The strike began at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday after members of Teamsters Local 727 overwhelmingly voted down a contract offer from the Chicago Parking Association. The association represents 15 commercial parking operators across the region. The walkout follows the expiration of the union’s previous collective bargaining agreement on Sunday.
According to Teamsters Local 727, the labor dispute extends beyond base compensation. The union filed or prepared unfair labor practice charges against the employers, alleging bad-faith bargaining, a refusal to bargain, failure to provide information, unilateral changes to workplace conditions, retaliation, and unlawful surveillance.
“These companies broke the law and forced our members onto the strike line,” John T. Coli Jr., secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 727, said in a release. “Parking workers keep Chicagoland moving every day, but employers chose delay tactics, labor law violations, and disrespect instead of bargaining a fair contract.”
Striking Parking Workers Threaten Regional Transit Disruptions
The striking workers maintain commercial garages, surface lots, and valet services. The Master Parking Agreement covers employees across a wide footprint of regional operators, creating potential disruptions for travelers and commuters.
Affected parking facilities and service providers include:
- SP Plus/Metropolis
- LAZ Parking
- Interpark
- ABM
- Imperial/Reimagine Parking
- Legacy Parking
- ACE
- Peoples Auto Park
- Advance Parking
- Metro Valet
- Park Plus
- Pioneer Parking
- Vargas
- Secure Parking
- Windy City Parking Services
“Our work matters to the people who live, work, and travel throughout Chicago,” Carolyn German, a steward with Teamsters Local 727, said. “We’re on strike because these companies refuse to follow the law and negotiate fairly. Their behavior is ridiculous and this whole situation shows that.”
A strike by Chicago-area parking attendants represented by Teamsters Local 727 began Tuesday and is expected to expand Wednesday, when union leaders say all represented parking attendants could be off the job. https://t.co/hyqHhNROsC
Employers Defend Rejected Package as Industry-Leading
On the opposing side, the Chicago Parking Association defended its negotiating record, characterizing its rejected contract proposal as one of the most generous compensation packages in the parking industry nationwide.
The association stated that its proposed five-year agreement included a 27% increase to wages and benefits over the term of the contract, delivering a wage increase of more than 7% in the first year alone. The association noted that the current package includes 100% employer-paid health insurance, pension and paid time off benefits, with the rejected proposal including more paid time off, as well.
“We believe the offer on the table represents a substantial commitment to our employees and demonstrates just how far we are willing to go to reach a fair agreement,” a Chicago Parking Association representative said in a statement. “Despite the significance of this proposal, the Union’s leadership has rejected it and is threatening to strike. We remain committed to negotiating in good faith and reaching a fair agreement that benefits everyone involved while avoiding unnecessary disruptions for Chicagoland commuters.”
The association didn’t specify current wages, paid time off amounts or what the new retiree healthcare benefit entails. Picket lines remained active across the region as both sides prepared for a protracted dispute.
