By Mark Weyermuller -
It’s hard to go to downtown Chicago without running into some kind of strike, march, or protest. This week I watched a group of hotel workers protest in front of the Westin on Dearborn in River North. The workers are on strike asking for more compensation, specifically more health care benefits. The groups ramp up their efforts by banging drums, chanting, and blowing whistles. They can heard from blocks away and from the inside of buildings. The concept of a “peaceful protest” is taking on new meaning.
As of Thursday, Marriott Hotels came up with an agreement to end part of the strike.Hyatt Hotels say they are in ongoing negotiations. The strike continues at 18 other hotels.
Drake Hotel
On another front in the discussion of organized labor, about 50 people protested an appearance by Mark Janus Thursday, who spoke to the Elgin Township Republican Organization.
The Supreme Court decision Janus v AFSCME, the court ruled that public sector union workers could “opt out” of joining a union and paying union dues. Mark Janus is now working for the Liberty Justice Center, which represented him in the Supreme Court case, and is speaking to groups about his case and the decision.
Photo by Jim Economos (Route 31 in Elgin)
AFF's Eric Kohn and Mark Janus
Last week I heard Mark Janus speak at an event downtown sponsored by the America’s Future Foundation. There were no protesters there, but it was not a highly publicized event. Janus mentioned that unions are attempting to avoid this Supreme Court decision.
Some feel these hotel workers should just go to a different job for more money. After all, it is a free country, at least they used to say that. In addition, Cook County just voted to increase the minimum wage so these workers are all making more money. Labor unions support political parties with much of the dues collected from employees mostly going to pro-union Democrats. I imagine these protests will continue forever.
Many feel public sector unions have become too powerful demanding more compensation, only pushing property taxes to unsustainable levels. In Illinois many tax payers wish they had somebody representing their interests. For conservatives there are many issues dragging down the local economy and contributing to people leaving the city and the state. Of course, taxes are the main drag, but the issue of “right to work” is right up there with it.
Weyermuller and Mark Janus
