The union representing Chicago Skyway maintenance workers said it plans to strike Tuesday after nine months without a contract.
The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board last Wednesday accusing Skyway management of bad faith bargaining, union officials said in a news release. The contract expired in November.
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The 11 workers the union says will walk off the job are responsible for clearing debris from the road and responding to accidents.
“On multiple occasions, we have requested information from the Skyway officials that relates to the terms of our contract, and it has not been provided,” union President and Business Manager James Sweeney said in the news release. “These workers literally risk their lives keeping this highway safe for travel, and they will not be ignored when it comes to protecting their work conditions on the job.”
The Skyway Concession Company, LLC, which operates the Skyway, could not be reached for comment. The Skyway was purchased by three Canadian pension funds last fall, union officials said.
While union officials say the strike will not affect local traffic, there will be no workers available Tuesday to divert traffic or clear debris on the Skyway in case of an accident.
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