Secretary-Treasurer Redmond Rides into Chicago with Busload of Solidarity for Local Strikes

The AFL-CIO "It's Better In a Union" bus tour arrived in Chicago this week, joining multiple union strike line actions to support workers in the Windy City fighting for respect and dignity at work.

AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond and Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter rode the bus to an Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150 rally to support the ongoing unfair labor practice (ULP) strike against QSL America. Workers delivered powerful testimony at the rally about the horrendous safety hazards and management’s infringement on their rights that led to the work stoppage. Meanwhile, participants from the AFL-CIO Street Heat peaceful protest training—happening concurrently in Chicago—boarded a bus of their own to join the event in solidarity.

"Local 150 is leading the way,” Redmond said to a crowd of energized workers. “You’re showing the world that through solidarity, working people can shape our own future and raise standards for all workers. You’re showing the world that the best way to fair pay, to retirement security, to health care and a quality education for you and your family, to a decent life, to a better tomorrow is through a union contract.”

The bus continued its journey through Chicago to support UNITE HERE Local 1 at the Emily Hotel, where workers staged a one-day ULP strike in June over illegal unilateral changes to their working conditions. It also appeared at a Teamsters Local 705 strike action, standing in solidarity with members demanding higher wages, improved benefits and safer working conditions from Mauser Packaging Solutions.