ABC 7's Ben Bradley reports on Mayor Richard Daley's desire to privatize McCormick Place:
These days cost is the consideration trade show organizers cite just before they announce plans to pull out of Chicago. Some of the unions have gone from three-man crews to two and limited the number of hours they charge overtime. McCormick Place is shedding 20 percent of its administrators. None of it's been enough to get the convention center's financial house in order.
Labor has called for an exhibitor bill of rights as well as transparency by auditing the books of the contractors who set the prices. The unions have made numerous changes to their contracts in recent years to lower costs and be more customer-friendly.
"The contractors are the ones charging the rates. We don't have anything to with rates they charge. We make $37 an hour," said John O'Malley, Riggers Local 136 president.
