Cutting of 293 O'Hare union jobs denounced

[UpInArms]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cust22.html

Blacks and Hispanics will bear the brunt of the Daley administration's decision to eliminate the jobs of 293 O'Hare Airport custodians to benefit clout-heavy private contractors, a union leader charged Monday.

<snip>

In fact, Boardman argued that O'Hare cleanliness is ''superior'' to other big city airports. That's even though a hiring freeze has forced the airport's 293 custodians, 80 percent of whom are minorities, to clean ''more square footage than they've ever cleaned before,'' she said.

''The privatization will only result in a contract going out to bid at wages substantially less than the $14 an hour our members make,'' she said.

<snip>

Boardman said the union is ''sensitive'' to the city's budget crunch and has offered to create a reduced hourly wage for new hires. City custodians are currently paid $14 an hour plus full benefits. That's compared to $8 to $9 an hour with reduced benefits for unionized contractors and as little as $5.15 an hour with no benefits for non- union cleaning companies, she said.

...more...

[madmom]

1. The Reagan legacy lives on.....

the creep broke the back of the working man.I sure hope JFK will put the teeth back into collective bargaining.

[Fovea]

2. That is why Kooch or Gep should be veep

Because Kerry could use the help on labor issues.