Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Forces Workers To Strike for Unfair Labor Practices

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Jan 10, 2012, 10:08 ET

Rosemont Hotel Still Refusing to Bargain in Good Faith with Teamsters Local 727

ROSEMONT, Ill., Jan. 10, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The management of Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare in Rosemont has forced its shuttle drivers and bellmen out to the strike line after continuing to refuse to bargain in good faith with Teamsters Local 727 over a new contract.

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"The union has made every effort to reach an agreement and avoid this labor dispute, but management absolutely will not cooperate at the bargaining table," said John Coli Jr., President of Local 727. "Their unreasonable behavior has literally forced our members out into the cold."

The labor dispute began at 7 a.m. Jan. 9 after members voted unanimously to strike because of the ongoing unfair labor practices. Local 727 representatives joined the workers on the strike line outside the hotel, which is located at 5540 N. River Road in Rosemont.

Local 727 has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board against the Rosemont hotel for bargaining in bad faith. Crowne Plaza management made itself available for less than an hour for two of the three bargaining sessions with Local 727 representatives and continues to deny the union's requests for relevant information in writing.

Union representatives are attempting to secure a new agreement for 11 bellmen and shuttle drivers, whose previous five-year contract expired Dec. 31. The last negotiation meeting was Dec. 29.

"The union will stand with our members on the strike line and fight for them at the bargaining table for as long as it takes," Coli said. "All these workers want is a new contract and to be treated with dignity and respect. Is that really too much to ask for?"

SOURCE Teamsters Local 727