Strike Delays Big Western Springs Project

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – A planned Wolf Road project in Western Springs has been delayed because of a strike, the village announced Monday.

Earlier this month, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 announced it was on strike against three materials companies. The village said the work on Wolf Road would not start until the strike is resolved.

The project had been set to begin last week, starting at 47th Street and progressing toward Ogden Avenue, according to the village.

The union launched its strike against three major material producers, Lehigh Hanson, Vulcan Materials and Lafarge Holcim. The union represents operators of heavy equipment.

In a news release, Local 150 said it filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board. It accused the companies of bad faith bargaining and violations of employees' federally protected rights.

The union said the firms began busing in replacement workers at several places.

The companies produce aggregate materials, including sand, gravel and crushed stone, which are essential in producing asphalt and concrete, according to the news release.

Together, the companies operate 35 quarries and facilities across northern Illinois and employ 300 Local 150 members.

"The companies’ aggressive encroachment against their employees’ rights has damaged decades of goodwill and cooperation in our industry," Local 150 President James Sweeney said in the release.

He praised the abilities of Local 150 members.

"These men and women are highly skilled professionals who cannot simply be replaced and who will not be treated as commodities by multinational corporations more concerned with continuing to generate record profits rather than protecting the safety of the very workers who are the bedrock of their success," Sweeney said.