Brookfield Zoo workers have threatened to strike after being unable to reach a compromise in contract negotiations Monday night with the Chicago Zoological Society.
Zookeepers, groundskeepers and patrol officers at the suburban zoo say they have been operating on an expired contract since Dec. 31, but it extended until midnight Monday until they can reach an agreement.
The union is fighting against a massive $6.5 million increase in health care costs that workers are expected to foot the bill on over the next four years, according to the Chicago Tribune.
After Monday night’s deadline passed without a negotiation, their contract was extended once again until a planned emergency meeting Thursday.
Workers say the animals will still be cared for even if there is a strike.
