CFL

Report of the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) Delegates Meeting

March 2, 2021

By George Milkowski

 

1.         From the Minutes of the Executive Board March 1, 2021

            The CFL’s E-Board voted for a resolution celebrating the life of Karen Lewis.

            The E-Board also voted to support SEIU Local 73.  This Union conducted a 12 hour strike in December that affected the Cook County Hospital and health system and County Board President Preckwinkle is pursuing criminal and civil charges against the Union.  The CFL maintains that the strike was legal and offered its support to Local 73.

            The CFL will sponsor a 5K virtual walk and run in celebration of May Day.

            The CFL is working to set up COVID 19 vaccination sites that would be dedicated for inoculation of union members only.  The State and the City are already providing dedicated vaccinations for various companies and their workers so why not have one strictly for union members?

            Five of nine CFL endorsed candidates won in their elections on February 23.

            The CFL is hosting fundraisers for Ald. Samantha Nugent (March 3), Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch (March 15) and Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (March 29).

            Teamsters Local 710 is asking for support from the CFL in their negotiations with Jewel Food Stores.  The teamsters represent Jewel truck drivers and warehouse workers and a strike has been authorized although no date has been set to begin a strike.

 

2.         President’s Report

            President Bob Reiter presented the resolution to celebrate the life and legacy of Karen Lewis.  There were a number of delegates who spoke fondly of Karen, including CTU’s Debby Pope.

            Carol Pollitz is the CFL nominee for the Woman of the Year Award, which will be awarded next month.

            Pres. Reiter spoke of a “Shock and Awe” campaign in Orland Park.  The current mayor there is a Bruce Rauner acolyte that is very anti-union.  Reiter hopes that CFL political action there can make the current mayor a one termer and he hopes that we can use this campaign to show the power and influence of the Unions.  If you are interested in helping out, including phone banking, contact the CFL.

            The motion opposing Toni Preckwinkle seeking criminal and civil charges against SEIU Local 73 was presented and passed.

            Pres. Reiter spoke about the virtual 5K May Day run.  The purpose is raise money for COVID relief.  The entrance fee is $40 and there is a suggested route that would take the participants through areas of important Chicago labor history, although they could run any route that is convenient for them. To register, go to chicagolabor.org/mayday5K.

 

3.         Good and Welfare

            Scott Marshall, retired union steelworker and head of the local chapter of Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR – of which I am a member) brought up the proposed opening of a recycling plant that is being moved from Lincoln Park to the 10^th Ward and suggested the CFL support this business because it would bring in more jobs.  Although Scott did mention residents’ objections of environmental racism, he asked the CFL to support it anyway.  Pres. Reiter said the CFL generally supports the new facility and referred to an EPA report that supposedly claims the relocated facility would be the cleanest recycling plant in the nation.  He also said that since Marshall did not have a formal resolution, that we should defer action on this until next month.  I would like to point out a number of things.  First, the CTU is supporting the community there against the business.  Second, the EPA report was written under the aegis of the Trump administration that has gutted a huge number of scientists and technicians in order to promote a pro-business agenda.  Lastly, today’s (March 3) Sun-Times had an article about this that cited a study done by the UIC a few years ago which recognized the increased expected amount of particulate matter in the air.  I plan to oppose a CFL resolution supporting the General Iron facility.

            Jill Hornick – AFGE L1395-SSA - spoke of Social Security offices being closed now for a full year and plans by the Social Security Administration to re-open a location on west Lunt.  Adjustments to the building would decrease the amount of space inside the office that would make any social distancing impossible.

            Lastly, Jorge Lara – NABET-CWA Local 41 – said his local is in negotiations with Telemundo (NBC) but the general manager is very anti-union.  Pres. Reiter said that across the county workers at Spanish language stations are almost always paid less then their counterparts at English language stations.