Defending Public Parks and Workers Jobs – Feb Chicago Park District Negotiations Update

We focused our negotiations with the Park District on Valentine’s Day on two proposals.  First, we proposed changes to the disciplinary and grievance procedure to ensure better representation and recourse for Union members.  This included making sure that information related to potential discipline is provided to the Union in advance of any CAM meeting, eliminating disciplinary suspensions, and giving workers full recourse through the grievance, mediation and arbitration procedure in cases of unjust discipline.  Our proposal replaces the kind of ‘kangaroo courts’ that are rigged against workers.

We, also, said that we want the Park District to stop privatizing our public parks. The parks are a place where community is fostered across the city and across generations. We go to the parks to learn, the enjoy time with our families and to relax. Park district workers, however, are not afforded the same opportunities.

The public parks exist for the common good and not for private profit by subcontractors and privately run parks.  We need to protect our public spaces and the jobs of park district workers who do the work to make sure our parks are clean, safe, beautiful, and offer the kind of programs for children and families that we all want to be part of.

Our next negotiations are scheduled for Monday February 25^th and Friday March 1^st from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the SEIU Local 73 Office, 300 S. Ashland Ave.  We will be talking about a path to monthly jobs for current hourly workers, as well as improving the transfer and promotion policies.

Chicago Park District members meet to discuss February 14th negotiations.

Things you can do:

1. Attend Negotiations by RSVP here: http://bit.ly/2S90TW9
2. Like our Facebook Page here: FB.com/SEIULocal73
3. Make sure every worker in every park is a member of SEIU Local 73
4. Volunteer to be a Contract Captain in your park.