Talks continue to avert tollway strike (Chicago)

By Virginia Groark
Tribune staff reporter
Published April 1, 2005, 4:40 PM CST

<snip> Negotiations began in October, with the union's three-year contract originally due to expire Dec. 31. When the sides failed to reach an agreement, the contract was extended to March 31.

The main sticking points include a tollway management proposal to eliminate 85 lane walker positions, which management has contended would be unnecessary once electronic toll collection becomes motorists' primary payment method.

The union also has objected to a management proposal that union members contribute 4 percent of their salaries to their pensions. Currently, the tollway covers all pension contributions for union members but not non-union workers.

As the contract extension deadline approached, the union, which represents 850 toll collectors, lane walkers, custodians, money room personnel and clerks, voted to authorize a three-day strike. But the workers cannot walk off the job without giving the tollway five days' notice. <snip>

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-050401tollway,1,6842146.story?coll=chi-news-hed