Tag Archives: Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

AFSCME members keep Chicago 311 public and better than ever

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AFSCME

Thanks to AFSCME members, Chicago 311 is still public and better than ever. The Union’s anti-privatization efforts halted the city from outsourcing the non-emergency 311 center in Chicago, paving the way for a new and improved services. Now the city-run operation is being hailed as a national model.

Fox Valley Labor News staff reports
Thursday, January 24, 2019

CHICAGO — AFSCME‘s anti-privatization efforts halted the city from outsourcing the non-emergency 311 center in Chicago, paving the way for new and improved services. Now, the city-run operation is being hailed as a national model.

Dec. 19, 2018, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel introduced the revamped call center, which handles all non-emergency calls from citizens seeking help or information, along with a new website and the city’s first-ever mobile app. This will be one of the mayor’s last actions before leaving office. Unfortunately, back in 2015, Emanuel attempted to privatize the center in his initial budget address.

Chicago’s 311 operators are members of the Chicago-based AFSCME Local 654. They led the effort to save 311 from privatization, taking their story to aldermen and the media.

AFSCME

Built with Chicagoans, for Chicagoans, the new and modernized Chicago 311 system makes it easier for residents to access city services. Residents can now visit the CHI 311 web portal or use the first-ever CHI 311 mobile app to submit a service request, track progress and give the city immediate feedback.

Urging the city not to outsource the call center, longtime 311 staff member Debra Powell told reporters, “the mayor should invest in what he already has: knowledgeable, experienced operators who live in the city.”

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For residents, CHI 311 has become the main place to gain information about Chicago’s services and communicate any issues residents are having directly with the city.

In the wake of AFSCME’s intensive lobbying effort, aldermen started speaking out against the mayor’s plan. When 36 of them signed a letter to Emanuel during the final phase of the budget debate, saying that privatization would wipe out jobs and make city government less responsive, the mayor finally dropped his plan to privatize 311.

At the time, Office of Budget and Management Director Alexandra Holt said, “Based on the feedback from City Council, we will not be moving forward with 311 privatization in 2016.

“OBM will work closely with the City Council to identify funding necessary to continue City management of the 311 system.”

Chicago’s 311 call center takes more than three million calls annually and has received many awards and accolades as a leader in performance and innovation. Now, thanks to AFSCME members, there is a bright future for one of Chicago’s most critical public services.

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Bridging Labor & Scouting

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Jennifer Rice Managing Editor

By Jennifer Rice
Managing Editor
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015
Email Jennifer Rice at: jen@foxvalley
labornews.com

You can view videos of the Labor and Scouting event by going to the Fox Valley Labor News YouTube channel

CHICAGO — At the core of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) is teaching its youth to become leaders, and to serve others — which is not unlike the brotherhood of organized labor.

Scouting and Labor came together Jan. 20 in a merging of ideology and goals, but more importantly, to honor one of Labor and Scoutings biggest supporters — United Association General President William Hite, who was awarded the first ever Boy Scouts of America Chicago Area Council AFL-CIO George Meany Award.

United Association General President William Hite

United Association General President William Hite was honored with receiving the George Meany Award Jan. 20 in Chicago for his commitment to bring Scouting closer to the building construction trades. Photo courtesy of United Association

The event, held before 660 guests at Chicago’s Sheraton Hotel and Towers, honored Hite’s commitment to bring Scouting closer to the construction trades.

Chicago’s BSA Pathway to Adventure Council presented Hite with the award, which recognizes union members who have made a significant contribution to local youth through BSA programs. The event also raised more than $300,000, which will be used for the Boy Scout merit badge programs in plumbing, welding and American labor, and for the creation of a new BSA programs aimed at fostering genuine interest and skills in the trades among today’s youth.

Hite, a former Cub and Sea Scout, thanked the BSA and said he is anxious to open the next chapter of working together and to recruit scouts into the trades. “Scouting builds character and integrity, and that’s what we try to put into our union. That’s where the partnership with Scouting comes in, because they are taught early on, what it’s all about. Scouting and the building trades are about a brotherhood,” Hite explained.

United Association General President William Hite

United Association General President William Hite, center, laughs with fellow labor leaders after he received the George Meany Award for his commitment to bring Scouting closer to the construction trades. Photo courtesy of United Association

Labor and Scouting Chairman Bob Melko added that through Scouting, the building trades will raise awareness of the excellent education it offers young people and show them the high quality of living that can be achieved and made from a career in the construction trades.

Prior to the Labor and Scouting event, union leaders and contractors participated in a workshop to educate themselves in implementing an Exploring Post in their union or business.

Boy Scouts of America National Exploring Director Marty Walsh said the Exploring program exposes young men and women, aged 14- to 20-years-old, to various skilled trades with hands-on learning.

“With the Exploring program and exposing youth to the construction trades industry, it’s a great opportunity for us to work together. Our local offices are ready to work and open doors so young people can experience careers in something they may never considered, or were just waiting for someone to ask,” Walsh explained.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel called William Hite a dear friend and a great ally in politics. He acknowledged the building trades with finding solutions to rebuild Chicago’s infrastructure at a feasible price. Photo courtesy of Nadine Saucedo

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel gave Hite and the building trades praise for their leadership and insight. “The plumbers and pipe fitters have grabbed thousands of hands of young men and women, given them the training and the skills so they could have a job and provide for their families — all under the leadership of Bill Hite.”

Meany was a second generation plumber, starting with Local 1 in New York. In 1952, he became the leader of the AFL and successfully negotiated the merger of the AFL and CIO. He stepped down as president in 1979.