Cook County employee union threatens one-day strike

The union representing Cook County health technicians and service and maintenance workers and some sheriff's office employees is threatening to hold a one-day strike on Tuesday over what it calls a failure of the county to engage in constructive negotiations related to pandemic protections.

Service Employees Union International Local 73 for nearly three months has attempted to bargain with Cook County, Local 73 President Dian Palmer said in a news release.

The local is seeking, among other things, pandemic pay for essential front-line workers, remote work where possible, an additional $5 an hour for workers in COVID units or taking care of COVID patients, and contact tracer jobs for 48 recorder of deeds office employees whose jobs were eliminated.