Chicago Aldermen to introduce ordinance to protect airport jobs, operations

Chicago aldermen are introducing a “Stable Jobs Stable Airports Ordinance” at a Chicago City Council Meeting, held on Feb. 9, 2011. Airport workers and aldermen, including Ald. Ricardo Munoz, Ald. Fredrenna Lyle, Ald. Joe Moore, Ald. Toni Foulkes, Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno, and Ald. Scott Waguespack, announced details of the proposed ordinance at a press conference held prior to the aldermanic meeting.

The ordinance would help ensure a smooth transition as the City undertakes a massive redevelopment of $250 million of retail and food concessions at O’Hare and Midway Airports – the largest in the City’s history. More than 1,500 workers, the majority of whom are Chicago residents, could be thrown out of work or see their wages cut by this process, harming communities throughout Chicago.

Around the country airports like LAX, LaGuardia, JFK, Miami, Cleveland and others have adopted policies to ensure smooth transitions during similar redevelopments. The ordinance would provide stability for airport workers and Chicago communities, and ensure new concession contractors follow City minimum wage standards.