Preckwinkle Offers No Raises to Cover Massive Health Insurance Increase

Yesterday, SEIU Local 73 bargained with the County until 2 am. County President Preckwinkle’s negotiators offered:

No money for equal pay for equal work.
No money to reward long-term workers.
No money for raises for the lowest-paid workers like housekeeping, custodians, food service, and material management.
Charging us more for our health insurance and cutting our benefits at the same time.
No raises to cover the health insurance increase which amounts to a pay cut for all workers.

Their offer creates problems and offers no solutions. We cannot let this continued disrespect stand.

“They are charging us more for our health insurance and cut our benefits at the same time. And they didn’t offer raises to cover the health insurance increase which amounts to a pay cut for all workers,” said Dian Palmer, President of Local 73. “Their offer creates problems and offers no solutions. We cannot let this continued disrespect stand.”

“That’s a pay cut plain and simple,” said Sylvia Kizer, Building Service Worker at Stroger. “They are forcing us to choose between putting food on our tables and keeping our healthcare. We are the lowest-paid workers in the County and President Preckwinkle is sitting on $1 billion from the Federal Government. Shame on her!”

“We will continue to strike across the County until we secure a fair contract for these essential workers who kept Cook County functioning before and throughout the pandemic,” said Palmer. “We are prepared to return to the bargaining table tomorrow and work to reach an agreement that recognizes the longevity and commitment of every worker.”

Bargaining is scheduled to resume at 9:00 am on Monday.

Workers were striking all weekend and will continue striking on Monday, June 28 at the following locations and times:

6:00 am – 10:00 am
Northside Construction Site
Lake Cook Rd & McHenry Rd, Buffalo Grove

Southside Construction Site
95th St. and Roberts Rd., Hickory Hills

8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Stroger Hospital
Provident Hospital
County Jail
118 N. Clark St.

11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Rolling Meadows Courthouse (Northside)
Markham Courthouse (Southside)