Strike could halt Ike work, other local projects

Motorists sick of road construction could have another complaint this week - the fact no work is occurring.

An apparent breakdown in talks between the unions representing about 15,000 laborers and operating engineers and contractors' associations has led to a crucial strike vote tonight. If approved, the strike could start Thursday morning.

A walkout would have an immediate impact on some of the major Illinois Department of Transportation projects in the region - including the resurfacing of the Eisenhower Expressway, Congress Bridge and Wacker Drive rebuilds, as well as myriad local road repairs.

"Our first priority is to make sure all the construction zones on I-290 are secure," IDOT spokeswoman Marisa Kollias said Tuesday. "We're working to get all the hazards addressed, make sure any patches are filled and temporary closures pulled along with other immediate safety issues."

Kollias couldn't say how a strike would affect costs but noted a labor action that lasted a long time "makes a difference. It puts things in delay mode and we want to avoid that - it makes things more challenging."

Wages and benefits are among the sticking points for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 and the Laborers' District Council of Chicago and Vicinity whose members are at odds with the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association (MARBA) and Excavators Inc.

A three-year contract expired May 31. The Laborers' approved a strike while the Operating Engineers, which includes heavy equipment operators, are set to vote tonight. Both represent workers in 10 counties in the region.

Union officials said they're troubled by concession demands the contractors are making and by 10 percent to 12 percent annual increases in health care.

The unions have filed unfair labor practice charges, accusing employers of walking out.

"These negotiations affect the livelihoods of more than 15,000 men and women," Local 150 President James Sweeney said in a statement.

MARBA officials denied walking out and countered that a strike "would be devastating to the economy," and leave road equipment idle indefinitely. The association, which represents area contractors, said unions are seeking significant raises of about 5 percent in a time of recession when construction projects are few and far between.

Illinois tollway projects will not be affected, a spokeswoman said.