For much of its history, organized labor in Chicago enjoyed a strong relationship with the decision makers inside City Hall, benefiting the city’s communities, its economy, and the well-being of working families. Sadly, in the last few years that relationship has deteriorated.

Today, working men and women no longer receive the support and respect they once did as they continue to make Chicago a world-class city.

Thousands of union building trades members watch from the sidelines while non-union construction projects are welcomed into neighborhoods throughout the city.

Thousands of union teachers do their best to teach children in under-funded schools while the Renaissance 2010 plan brings more and more non-union charter schools into the city.

And in 2003, 30,000 union members at the City of Chicago were forced to wait 28 months for a new contract.

There is much at stake in the upcoming election for the nearly half-million union members who live or work in Chicago: privatization of city services, pension funding, charter schools, project labor agreements, the right to organize, a living wage and benefits for retail workers, and support for striking workers, just to name a few of the major issues.

The entire organized labor community is rallying together to support pro-labor challengers and incumbents running for the Chicago City Council.  With the collaboration of its affiliated local unions, the Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) has endorsed candidates who will represent labor’s priorities in City Hall.

“Working men and women deserve a strong, independent voice in the City Council,” said CFL President Dennis Gannon.  “Labor will do everything it takes to elect those men and women who will fight for working families and the issues important to them.”

The candidates endorsed by the CFL include several members from a variety of unions, along with incumbents who have strong pro-labor voting records, and challengers who will stand up for working families.

Mobilizing union members will be the key to influencing the turnout in what is traditionally a low-turnout election.  In some wards, the number of union members is greater than the number of votes the alderman received in the 2003 election, not to mention their family members, friends, and neighbors.

The CFL has hired field directors to organize programs in some of the most highly targeted wards.  These field directors will work closely with local unions whose members wish to volunteer during the weeks leading up to Election Day.  The CFL will also engage in an unprecedented member-contact program through direct mail and phone calls to increase turnout in favor of labor’s endorsed candidates. 

And thanks to Illinois’ early voting law, union members will be able to cast their ballots between February 5 until February 22, allowing them to help get their family members, friends and neighbors to the polls on Election Day.

The participation of union members is critical to making a difference in the February 27 election (and the April 17 run-off election). 

To volunteer, contact Beth Kanter at the CFL at 312-222-1000 or by email at .