Oak Park Workers Plan to Strike Saturday

Union say the Saturday strike will affect vehicle stickers renewals

More than 75 Oak Park workers plan to stay home as part of a planned strike, according to a local union.

Non-management staff at Oak Park Village Hall, as well as parking enforcement officers, Public Works and forestry division employees will take part in the strike beginning at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning. 

Service Employees International Union Local 73 says that means residents will have a tough time renewing their vehicle stickers and parking passes.

The union claims workers have been disrespected by village management during contract negotiations.

The two sides failed to reach a contract agreement after seven months of negotiations, the union stated. Outstanding issues include wages and being penalized for using sick time.  

According to SEIU Local 73, village management received a 2 percent wage increase at the start of the year, as well as a 1 percent lump sum bonus. The union says the latest proposal from village management to workers was a 1 percent wage increase and a possible 1.5 percent merit increase.

“Merit raises have never worked in the past and are just a way for village management to get away without giving raises,” said Senior Administrative Clerk and Union bargaining committee member Marijo Lopez in a statement.

The union warns the sales of parking passes and permits as well as vehicle sticker sales will grind to a halt Saturday and Monday. Tomorrow is the only Saturday during the year the Oak Park Village Hall is open to sell stickers and passes before the July 15 deadline.
 
The strike is expected to continue at 8 a.m. Monday.

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