Chicago Park District Stewards Meet with New CEO

Yesterday, Chicago Park District union stewards, President Dian Palmer, Executive VP Stacia Scott Kennedy, and union staff met with Carlos Ramirez-Rosa on his first day as the new Superintendent/CEO of the District. 

In the meeting, President Dian Palmer shared the union’s vision for fully staffed parks that are equitably resourced and safe for all Chicagoans. Union stewards presented some of the priority issues affecting our membership. 

Stewards spoke up on short staffing, lack of full-time positions, frequent denial of overtime to work important events and competitions, and the overall citywide decline in arts/cultural programming, all while we’ve seen a 20% increase in highly paid management and administration positions. “At the end of the day, we need to remember why we’re here and who we’re here to serve: to provide accessible, affordable, impactful programming to all communities of Chicago. Provide us the support we need to do that,” said Elesabeth Bacherta, Activities Instructor at Broadway Armory, Executive Board Member, and Union Steward. 

The lack of healthcare coverage for most of the part-time workforce was also raised as a major issue, particularly given today’s political reality with Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies currently at risk. “We continue to lose good staff who want to make a career at the parks but can’t because of a lack of healthcare or full-time opportunities. We ask the Park District to do the right thing and expand healthcare to hourly staff to align with our sister agencies, CPS and CTA,” said Alec Hudson, Special Recreation Instructor at Eckhart Park and Union Steward.

Additional priority issues addressed included temperature and environmental regulation of Park facilities, safety and security in the parks, inequity in Park Premiums, privatization of Park District jobs, and the lack of transparency in the promotions process. 

Superintendent Ramirez-Rosa shared his history of supporting union workers and made a commitment to working on the issues presented. 

“We look forward to what we hope will be a collaborative relationship in making our Park District the best in the country,” said Dian Palmer, President of SEIU Local 73.