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FREEZE-OUT: GOVERNMENT UNION STRIKE COULD CRIPPLE CHICAGO THIS WINTER
Illinois Policy Institute/
Austin Berg
A potential strike by Teamsters Local 700 –
which represents snowplow operators in Chicago – could have a disastrous
impact on travel and safety in the city. Unlike neighboring states,
Illinois law enshrines this “right to strike,” thereby giving government
worker unions enormous power in bargaining.
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 Following record-breaking low
temperatures across the Midwest, Chicago is expecting more wintry weather this
weekend, with snow in the forecast.
That’s nothing new for the Windy City. But this winter, a strike by a government
union could cripple Chicago.
Teamsters Local 700 – the union representing the city’s snowplow operators – has
scheduled a possible strike vote for Jan. 7. As reported by the Chicago
Sun-Times, union leaders aren’t pleased with the progress of talks to replace a
contract that expired in 2017.
A strike could be devastating – affecting not just road travel, but also the
repair of water main breaks and the clearing of airport runways.
Unlike neighboring states, Illinois alone has enshrined a “right to strike” for
most government workers in state law. Not only does this bargaining power
threaten city services, but it also drives up property tax bills as local
governments capitulate to expensive contracts in order to keep “peace.”
 A Teamsters strike could land a devastating blow
Teamsters Local 700 represents 2,032 city employees – from garbage truck drivers
to snowplow operators to other “motor truck drivers.” The number of workers
covered means the strike could take a heavy toll on the city’s residents and
visitors.
Besides the obvious – road travel would be affected and could become hazardous
for Chicagoans – other important services would also be shut down.
Air travel could come to a halt. Workers represented by Teamsters Local 700 are
responsible for clearing the runways at O’Hare, the nation’s second-busiest
airport, as well as at Midway. What’s more, the union represents cashiers at the
parking garages and lots at both airports. Thus, everything from parking a car
to landing a plane could become nearly impossible in heavy snow.
Other services – such as repairing broken water mains – could also be affected.
Drivers responsible for getting workers to the appropriate sites would be out on
strike.
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Illinois law does
specify that certain public safety workers cannot go on strike, but
that is an exception typically reserved for police officers and
firefighters. The city would likely have to file a court challenge
seeking the reinstatement of striking workers, or try to find
temporary replacement workers, who might be scarce during a time of
high demand. And by then, the ability of residents to travel safely
might already have been significantly impaired.
Illinois labor law holds taxpayers over a barrel
Illinois alone has enshrined a “right to strike” for most government
workers in state law, unlike each neighboring state.
A government worker strike is different than a strike in the private
sector. When government worker unions threaten to strike, they are
threatening to shut down government functions and deprive residents
of necessary services. It isn’t the party sitting on the other side
of the negotiating table, such as the governor or a city council,
that directly bears the harm – it is the residents themselves.
In other words, it’s a bullying tactic government unions threaten to
use to shut down important services until their demands are met.
Conversely, every one of Illinois’ neighbors prohibits most or all
government workers from going on strike.
Prohibiting government
worker strikes helps even the playing field. And it helps ensure a
state’s residents can get the services they need, without
interference by government worker unions.
Until Illinois follows the lead of its neighbors, government unions
across the state will continue wielding oppressive power over the
people of Illinois.
And in upcoming weeks, that could spell disaster for Chicagoans.
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