Chicago Labor Unrest Brews as Teachers, Park Workers Mull Strike

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is facing increasing pressure from growing ranks of employees pushing for better pay and working conditions as she tries to close the biggest budget shortfall in the city’s recent history.

Chicago Park District workers represented by SEIU Local 73 voted to authorize their first strike in 85 years to push for a bigger pay raise and a walkout could come as early as next month. Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union is holding a strike vote this week after rejecting a 16% pay increase and demanding more nurses, librarians and special education staff in schools.

Lightfoot is ...