Thursday, March 31, 2011

Collective Bargaining Disaster: McCormick Place lawsuit ruling throws Convention Center reform into doubt

Crain's Chicago Business reports:
A federal judge has called into question the wide-sweeping McCormick Place reforms enacted by state lawmakers last year to help Chicago reclaim its convention business.

U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Guzman ruled Thursday that the National Labor Relations Act prohibits states from passing laws that hinder collective bargaining. His decision came after two unions last year filed lawsuits that challenged the reforms, which gives convention exhibitors broader rights, such as catering their own food during shows and the ability to set up and dismantle their own booths.

The suits were filed by the Teamsters Local 727 and the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters.

The Chicago unions were rather have trade shows go somewhere else. Look what unions have brought to McCormick Place.