The strike of Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers has been on strike since June 7th. About 300 workers are involved in the walkout. Ed Maher, communications director for Local 150, stated that the strike has affected road construction by:
- Making asphalt nearly impossible for road crews to get
- Problems with getting concrete supplies
Local 150 has been striking against companies that operate 35 quarries across Northern Illinois. Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials and Lafarge Holcim produce sand, gravel, and crushed stone needed for asphalt and concrete.
The Chicago Sun Times reports that according to Ed Maher, the companies have agreed to no talks since a brief session last Wednesday. The companies negotiate as members of the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association. A spokesperson for the group could not be reached for comment.
"We have made ourselves available every day. We recognize the impact this strike is having on the construction industry and that's why we want to bargain and get this settled."
Communications director for Local 150 | Ed Maher
The secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation, Omer Osman, urged the three companies in a letter to settle the strike without delay. Osman said the strike is lengthening projects such as:
- The Jane Byrne Interchange downtown
- The Interstate 55 and Weber Road interchange
- The Interstate 80 bridge in Joliet
- Numerous resurfacing projects in the Chicago area
Osman stated that the work stoppage could not have occurred at a worse time, at the height of construction season and during peak driving season with an eager public ready to travel after two years of the pandemic. He also said that contracts approved in June may need to be suspended and those scheduled in July could be deferred.
An IDOT spokesperson, Maria Castaneda, stated that some road crews have made do by changing schedules and working through stockpiles but problems are compounding. Most of the agency's roadwork is affected, although some projects in Northern Illinois draw on material from Indiana and Wisconsin.
According to Maher, items to be settled include wages, benefits and grievance procedures. The union has filed several complaints with the National Labor Relations Board alleging unfair labor practices by the companies.