regarding creation of local right to work zones Committee on Workforce Development and Audit
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RAHM EMANUEL MAYOR
April 15,2015
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Aldermen Moreno, Fioretti, Dowell, Burns, Hairston, Sawyer, Harris, Beale, Pope, Balcer, Cardenas, Quinn, Burke, Foulkes, Thomas, O'Shea, Brookins, Munoz, Zalewski, Solis, Burnett, Ervin, Graham, Mell, Austin, Colon, Sposato, Mitts, Cullerton, Laurino, Patrick O'Connor, Mary O'Connor, Cappleman, Pawar, Osterman, Moore and Silverstein, a resolution regarding a recent proposal by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner calling for the creation of local right to work zones.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Mayor
Very truly yours,
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner has repeatedly called for the creation of local right to work zones, in which voters could decide if workers in their communities employed in unionized industries can opt out of paying union dues or equitable fees for representation to labor organizations; and
WHEREAS, Governor Rauner has asked for city councils across Illinois to consider a resolution asking for voter referenda to allow local right to work zones, limit prevailing wage laws as well as changes to workers' compensation laws and eliminating project labor agreements; and
WHEREAS, such action has the potential to dismantle labor organizations, which have historically protected the rights of working and middle-class Chicagoans, and could lead to lower median wages, reduced benefits, and unsafe working conditions for all employees whether they are union or nonunion; and
WHEREAS, The Illinois Attorney General has rendered an opinion unequivocally declaring the concept of local right to work zones both preempted by federal labor law and illegal under Illinois law;
WHEREAS, The Illinois Attorney General has rendered an...
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