Pat Barcas photo
Firing up a crowd of thousands, Springfield Pastor T. Ray McJunkins spoke from the heart about the need for pensions and how people will fight back against Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD — An estimated 4,000 people took to the streets of downtown Springfield Tuesday to deliver a message to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker: his war against the working class is not welcome in Illinois.
Walker was invited into town by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce to speak to more than 200 business leaders, a move union leaders weren’t happy with.
“We’re here to show him that we don’t want him here,” said Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan, addressing the crowd during the rally. “He’s trying to poach our jobs, and your jobs. Shame on him.”
Walker notoriously introduced a budget bill last year that served to strip collective bargaining rights from most public workers in Wisconsin. The bill was passed after three days of debate, while Democratic senators hid out in Illinois.
This year, Walker faces a recall election June 5 after his popularity in the state has plummeted.
The enthusiastic crowd spanned an entire block, with unions busing members in from all over the state. Many people made the trek from Wisconsin as well.
“It’s our fight, it’s your fight, it’s all of our fight,” yelled Wisconsin AFL-CIO President Phil Neuenfeldt to the crowd gathered in front of the stage. “We can’t tell you how much the support from you from rallies like this inspires the workers in Wisconsin.”
Brian Kennedy, President of the American Federation of Teachers-Wisconsin, extolled on Walker’s big bust in the job creation department.
“He promised to create 250,000 jobs in his first term, but Wisconsin was actually dead last in job creation during that time,” he said.
Walker also blamed public servants on the budget shortfall he created, and slashed school funding and health care for children and their families, as well as threatened pensions.
Pastor T. Ray McJunkins of the Union Baptist Church in Springfield took to the stage to tell the crowd he’s not going to take it, and they shouldn’t either.
“Much of my congregation will soon be facing retirement,” he said. “They need these public pension plans. It’s important if they want to continue to live a life of dignity. Scott Walker, you may threaten us, but we aren’t going to turn around. We have taken on the attitude of MC Hammer — you can’t touch this!”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry will slowly move into its new location over the summer and will boast three times the space of the current location.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry is planning on moving into a new location next month, and that will mean better service for all the community members it serves.
“The biggest change will be our indoor waiting room,” said Marilyn Weisner, executive director of the pantry.
Weisner explained the changes during an unveiling party last week at the new facility at 1110 Jericho Road, under two miles from the old location at Hesed House on S. River Street.
“With our current facility, people have to be outside while waiting in line to get their food, and that includes waiting in the hot sun, the freezing cold, and the rain. The new facility will have an indoor waiting room, private orientation rooms for new members, and a play area for children,” she said.
Also on tap are smaller things like a loading dock and commercial food scale. At the current facility, food must be moved in by a hand cart, and weighed on a small scale to keep track of it all.
Oh, the new place is also 8,000 square feet, as opposed to the 2,500 square foot current location.
“Right now, we have small offices up front that we also have to use as a client check in area,” said Office Manager Kristan Ensminger. “It’s not very private, and can be daunting for someone coming to the food pantry and asking for help for the first time. With the new place, we can serve clients with dignity.”
Ensminger said the new facility will have much more space for food, and will allow clients to fully choose what they want, instead of the current partially prepackaged options. The larger freezers and refrigerators will also allow the pantry to accept food ahead of time in greater quantities, whereas now, workers have to pick up meat and veggies on a distribution day to avoid spoilage.
This translates into getting more hungry people the food they need. Last year, the pantry served more than 1.5 million pounds of food, and they hope to have the new facility fully up and running by the end of this summer.
“We’ll definitely be able to serve more people, and that’s the main goal,” said Weisner. “There’s a lot of food out there that can be rescued, and now we can accept more of it and pass it on.”
The Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry distributes food on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those needing food may visit the Pantry one time each week. For further information about distribution, please contact the pantry office at 630-897-2127.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
CHICAGO — The Illinois Labor History Society faces $10,000 in unanticipated moving expenses after being forced to relocate from their 25 year location on E. Jackson Street in Chicago.
The building at 28 E. Jackson has been sold and will be rehabbed as student apartments, and for now the ILHS has found new offices at 123 W. Madison in the Loop.
ILHS President Larry Spivack released a statement detailing the Society’s new costs and what people can do about it. He said moving costs came at just the wrong time, as May is the Society’s busiest time.
“The costs of moving were totally unforeseen and have taken a bite out of our budget. We now face unanticipated moving expenses of at least $10,000,” he wrote. “And this came just at one of our busiest times of the year — during another ambitious program of May activities centered around our traditional May Day commemoration.”
Once again, despite the adversity, the ILHS will emcee May Day commemorations in Chicago.
At 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, at Randolph and Des Plaines, the ILHS will join with Benedicto Martinez Orozco, a leader of the Mexican union federation Frente Autentico de Trabajo, who will preside over mounting a plaque on the Haymarket Statue from our Mexican brothers and sisters in the FAT.
Spivack is asking supporters of the ILHS to help defray the extra costs incurred this year.
“We’re confident that the move to a new and better office will strengthen our organization and its capacities,” he wrote.
To donate, click on illinoislaborhistory.org/get-involved/donate.html. Or send a contribution via check to the old office at 28 E. Jackson, Suite 1012, Chicago, IL 60604.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
CHICAGO — Now that Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 1 members have looked over their new contract, the details of what has been hammered out between janitors and Chicago building owners have been revealed.
The new three year janitors’ union contract, which went into affect April 9, guarantees:
—Annual wage increases for janitors, which will allow them to support their families in the midst of increasing cost of living in the Chicago area.
—Protection of quality, family health insurance. The janitors plan provides comprehensive coverage for janitors and their families at one-third or half of the cost of the average family health plan in Illinois.
By an overwhelming margin, the janitors approved a new union contract that preserves their ability to support their families and allows them access to health care. About 7,000 working families will benefit from increased wages and protected health care over the next three years.
“Our agreement with these building owners and cleaning companies proves that responsible companies can invest in good jobs, provide health care and pay a livable wage to their employees,” said Tom Balanoff, President of SEIU Local 1. “These agreements will boost our whole local economy. SEIU Local 1 is leading the way for all working people — when you stand up together and bargain collectively, we all win.”
More than 6,000 janitors are still working to get their contracts settled. Chicago Public Schools and other publicly funded facilities have traditionally followed these area standards set by Chicago’s Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Local 1 janitors, but there is no guarantee.
“We are celebrating great progress today, but we are just getting started,” said Ed Washington, a janitor with Chicago Public Schools. “Now we are calling on Cook County and the City of Chicago to adopt the wage and benefit standards for janitors at Chicago Public Schools, the airports, and all publicly funded facilities set by SEIU Local 1 janitors, business leaders and BOMA.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
Members of Teamsters Local 734 gather outside of the Hostess warehouse in Schiller Park April 13. The Teamsters were there to support delivery drivers and warehouse workers as Hostess cuts benefits while going through bankruptcy.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
SCHILLER PARK — Chicago Teamsters want to know that they support their labor brothers and sisters in times of need as they held a show of support outside of the Hostess building in Schiller Park April 13.
Hostess filed Jan. 11 for their second bankruptcy since 2008, in the process threatening wages, benefits and jobs for more than 7,500 Teamsters employed by the company nationwide. About 100 members of Teamsters Local 734 decided to show their support for delivery drivers, route salesman and warehouse workers as the company went to court early this week.
“We wanted to show our support for the workers as we go to court,” said Scott Kunz, secretary-treasurer of Local 734.
Kunz explained that the union fears Hostess may ask the judge to vacate their entire contract, as the company is operating under special bankruptcy rules and could possibly be permitted to do so.
In 2009, Local 734 members alone sacrificed more than $132 in weekly base pay to draw Hostess out of bankruptcy. In its current filing for Chapter 11 protection, Hostess is shifting the focus of its attack from workers’ wages to health and welfare and retirement benefits.
The company already owes Local 734 more than $2 million in past due pension contributions after ceasing its payments to multi-employer funds in July 2011.
“We’re in negotiations right now, but we’ve given a lot already. Last July, they stopped paying into our pension plan, and this was on top of the concessions already granted. Our drivers have had more than $8,000 taken out of their pay per year since 2008,” he said.
Kunz said concessions are one thing, but the company needs to show something for taking from the workers.
“The problem is, they need to show us some improvement here. It’s just a huge mismanagement,” he said.
Teamsters Local 734 represents 435 drivers and workers with Hostess across Chicago. Members voted in February to authorize a strike should Hostess impose unfair contract terms during the bankruptcy process.
“It’s an interesting situation,” said Will Petty, communications director for Teamsters Joint Council 25. “This is the second time Hostess has faced bankruptcy. We hope it’s settled quickly without taking anything away from the workers. It’s time for management to make some tough decisions.”
Pending the outcome in court this week, members of Local 734 said they would be back in front of the Hostess warehouse in the future, this time with a full on picket.
“This is just a show of support. We may be back with more people, we have no plans yet,” said Kunz.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner delivers the State of the City address last
Thursday at Piper’s Banquets in Aurora. Weisner said a new technical training center may be on the horizon for Aurora.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner outlined the city’s future growth plans March 29 in his State of the City address — plans that meld education and business with a new technical training center and an East Aurora Magnet School Academy campus.
Weisner spoke before a full house of local business people and dignitaries at Piper’s Banquets, focusing on education, technology, and falling crime statistics.
“I want to talk about the future of our city. Right now, it’s safe, strong, successful and sustainable,” he said. “We’ve had many successes in the past year, but the challenges before us remain both serious and several.”
Weisner said the city is currently planning to buy the old Waubonsee Community College building located downtown to turn it into a new technical training center. Waubonsee Community College as well as the West Aurora, East Aurora, Indian Prairie and Oswego school districts would share the building with East district offices.
The plan, which could be discussed at the city council sometime in April, would prepare students for technical and industrial jobs once they graduate.
“We want to make sure students [who are not attending college] have the skills and technical know-how they will need to seize these technical and industrial job opportunities,” Weisner said.
Also on the horizon is the sale of the Fred Rodgers Community Center to East Aurora School District 131. District 131 would then use the building to expand its magnet school program.
Weisner also announced the formation of a nonprofit group named OnLight Aurora that will allow Aurora’s schools access to the city’s fiber optic network. This would provide high-speed educational collaborative opportunities for students.
“The city’s fiber network gives educational institutions the opportunity to collaborate and gain high-speed access to a wealth of Internet resources and technology solutions, which are not limited by the available bandwidth and cost. It’s our intent that in the near future all Aurora schools, both public and private, will be able to tap into the city’s fiber resources.”
The mayor also voiced his support for a new main Aurora Public Library located downtown. The project would potentially be funded by $30 million in bonds.
“While I know the City Council has a difficult decision in front of it … I can envision no better technology and learning center for our entire community … than the Aurora Public Library of the future,” he said.
Fox Valley Building Trades President Scott Roscoe praised Weisner’s vision after the speech.
“The Fox Valley Building Trades continue to support the mayor. He has great policies and vision, and we continue to stand behind him,” he said.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

Pat Barcas photo
Rally organizer Kelly Ingram speaks to the crowd with NAACP DuPage County branch President Mario Lambert before the march in Naperville March 31.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
NAPERVILLE — Marches have been held in Orlando, Chicago, and other large cities, and March 31, they marched in Naperville in support for slain Florida teenager Trayvon Martin, with tentative plans of a similar march happening soon in Aurora.
More than 150 people turned out for the silent march that wound through downtown. It was organized by Naperville resident Kelly Ingram, who marched with her 11-year-old son Donovan, and husband Derjuan.
Ingram, who is white, explained that she wanted to organize the march in support of Martin after hearing about the case and witnessing intolerance toward her son when she was in the supermarket a couple weeks ago.
“This older woman looked at my son like he was disgusting. It’s not right,” she said.
Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a member of a neighborhood watch group in the gated community where they both lived near Orlando. Zimmerman is Hispanic, Martin African-American.
The case is being criticized for being improperly investigated by the police force. No charges have been filed against Zimmerman, who said he shot in self defense after confronting the teen, who he thought was up to no good.
“I’m overwhelmed with support, I didn’t think it would be like this,” said Ingram as she surveyed the crowd. She explained in tears that she has been ostracized by her family for marrying her black husband.
“We need to let Naperville know this is not to be tolerated in this town. This could happen to anyone, anywhere,” she said. “We need to stop looking at skin color, and start looking at the character inside.”
DuPage County NAACP President Mario Lambert also addressed the crowd before the march and said it would send a more powerful message if citizens marched in silence.
“This is in my opinion, the first time I’ve seen a crowd as diverse as this get together outside a college campus. Good for Naperville,” said Lambert.
Derjuan Ingram said he was very proud of his wife, who organized the march solely through Facebook. Derjuan said he grew up on the south side of Chicago and witnessed violence around and toward him on multiple occasions, so he sympathized with Martin.
“I have my own son, so just to hear that cry for help on the tape, it’s really heart wrenching. The message today is there should be justice for all, this one really took us to heart,” he said. “I pray that justice be served, and I hope Zimmerman remembers the day that he took that child away from his family.”

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.

By Pat Barcas
Staff Writer
CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced an ambitious $7 billion infrastructure upgrade program that should bring 30,000 new union jobs to the city over the next three years.
The mayor announced last week plans for the “Building a New Chicago” program at the Chicagoland Laborers’ Training and Apprentice Center. On tap for major refurbishing are CTA stations, O’Hare Airport, and the city’s parks.
“By neglecting to invest in our infrastructure for nearly four decades, we have allowed Chicago’s foundations to decay and our strengths to decline,” said Emanuel. “We know that as long as our city rests on a 20th century foundation, we won’t be able to compete in a 21st century economy.”
The project is one of the largest investments in infrastructure in the city’s history. The mayor emphasized the need to fix Chicago’s ailing infrastructure, saying the city relies on it more than other cities in America.
“Whether it is renewing our parks or repairing our pipes, repaving our roads or rebuilding our rails, retrofitting our buildings or revitalizing our bridges, we must restore Chicago’s core,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Our plans are comprehensive because our needs are comprehensive — because no city in America relies on its infrastructure more than Chicago. While our infrastructure challenges are not unique, our resolve and determination to see them through is. I look forward to rebuilding our city’s infrastructure so we may continue to lead in the 21st century.”
The investments will not require increases in taxes. Many of the projects are paid for through reforms, efficiencies, cuts in central offices, direct user fees, and the recently announced Chicago Infrastructure Trust.
The improvements in Building a New Chicago will include:
—Renovation, repair, or rebuilding of more than 100 CTA stations.
—The creation of the first 16 miles of Bus Rapid Transit Route on Jeffrey Boulevard, with future routes being developed for the Central Loop.
—A $1.4 billion investment in O’Hare airport over the next three years, creating 5,900 jobs, including opening two new runways by 2015.
—A five-year, $290 million capital plan for the City’s parks that will include the acquisition of 180 new acres of parklands, and the building of 20 new playgrounds and 12 new parks.
—The 2014 completion of the Bloomingdale trail.
—The completion of two new boathouses this year on the Chicago River, with two new boathouses next year.
—The replacement of 900 miles of century-old water pipe, the repair of 750 miles of sewer line, and the reconstruction of 160,000 catch-basins.
—The reform of the Aldermanic Menu, and tax increment financing, so that these tools better match the city’s infrastructure needs.
—A $660 million investment in Chicago Public Schools, and a $479 million investment in the City Colleges of Chicago, to create modern educational environments that will propel our students into the jobs of tomorrow.
—“Retrofit Chicago,” a $225 million dollar effort to retrofit City buildings, reducing their energy consumption by 25 percent and creating 900 jobs in the next three years, the first project funded by the Chicago Infrastructure Trust.

Pat Barcas’ e-mail address is pat@foxvalleylabornews.com.