Nearly 1,200 Chicago-area parking workers have ended a four-day strike after ratifying a new five-year agreement, clearing the way for normal parking operations ahead of the Chicago Bears’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Soldier Field on Sunday.
Members of Teamsters Local 727 walked out on Tuesday after rejecting a contract offer from the Chicago Parking Association, which represents 15 parking operators across the region.
The dispute had threatened services at commercial garages and surface lots serving airports, hospitals, hotels and businesses, as well as parking facilities at Soldier Field.
Chicago parking workers approve five-year deal
The union said the agreement includes wage and benefit increases, additional paid time off, a new retiree benefit and protections for jobs affected by emerging technology.
It also said the settlement would deliver “the largest benefit and wage increases ever achieved by the Union in the parking industry”. The detailed terms of the contract have not been made public.
Negotiations continued from Thursday into Friday evening, as the prospect of the strike reaching Soldier Field became increasingly significant with the Bears due to host Tampa Bay on Sunday night.
Before the agreement was reached, the union had warned that workers could extend picket lines to the stadium, where parking is operated by SP+ Metropolis. Soldier Field management had said contingency plans were in place and that full-time staff would be available for the game.
The previous contract expired the Saturday before the strike. The union had said 98 per cent of voting members backed authorising industrial action and accused the parking operators of refusing to bargain in good faith.
The Chicago Parking Association said parking operations were expected to resume immediately and thanked customers for their patience during the dispute.
The Bears are scheduled to face the Buccaneers at Soldier Field at 7.20pm on Sunday, November 8.
