OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
LORI E. LIGHTFOOT
MAYOR
April 15, 2021
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith, together with Alderwoman Garza, a resolution calling on the Illinois General Assembly to place the Workers' Rights Amendment on the ballot on November 8, 2022.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
Very truly yours.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Chicago is the hometown of the American Labor Movement with a deep labor history and strong union support to his day;
WHEREAS, workers and activists in Chicago and across the United States have suffered violent attacks with many individuals sacrificing their life in support of workers' rights and labor unions;
WHEREAS, Chicagoans have fought and died for the benefits workers enjoy today, from the fight for the eight hour work day in 1886, to the Pullman Strike in 1894, to the Little Steel Strike of 1937 and the Great Postal Strike of 1970, and many more, the fight for workers' rights continues;
WHEREAS, there has been a concerted effort by corporate interests and some government entities to silence working Americans through relentless attacks on collective bargaining and labor unions throughout the country;
WHEREAS, Wisconsin was the first state in the United States to provide collective bargaining rights to public employees in 1959. However, in 2011 then-Governor Scott Walker signed Act 10 into law effectively eliminating public sector collective bargaining, a change which led to pay decreases and a sharp decline in union membership throughout the state;
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court ofthe United States, in Janus v. American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 31, et al., struck down a 41 -year history of unions supporting all workers through the collection of dues, now allowing "free riders" to receive services, benefits, and representation without ...
Click here for full text