Chicago Garbage Strike Ends In Settlement

Date: October 7, 2003

Source: News Room

On the ninth day of a strike that left garbage piled throughout Chicago, collectors have reached a tentative agreement with the Chicago Area Refuse Haulers Association following a 20-hour-long bargaining session with a federal mediator. The 3,300 striking Teamsters handle garbage for private haulers in Chicago's high rises and suburbs. The Teamsters and the association, which represents 17 private companies, fought over wages, benefits, and contract length. The latest proposal calls for a 28 percent increase in wages and benefits over the next five years. During the strike, city sanitation officials pitched in and cleaned up in some particularly hard-hit areas, and also around Wrigley Field because the Cubs are playing in the National League Championship Series.

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