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The City distributed a notice along with employee paychecks that says: "Effective October 15, 2021, City of Chicago Employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19."
This statement by the City directly contradicts the communications and bargaining proposals it has made to the collective group of Unions that represent City employees. This group of Unions are exploring filing an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge at the Illinois Labor Relations Board related to the City's conduct.
The importance of the October 15 date, based on written and oral communications and bargaining proposals the City has made, is that everyone must upload their vaccination status onto the City's Vaccination Portal by that date: www.chicago.gov/vaxportal. If you are vaccinated, that's all you have to do.
If you are not vaccinated, you will have to show negative COVID-19 tests to go to work
IBEW Local 21 has been contacted by management representatives from CBRE regarding mandatory Covid 19 vaccinations. We will be entering into negotiations with the company on their policy.
Most can agree on the need for employees to be vaccinated and we realize Covid vaccinations can be a sensitive and personal issue for some employees. When negotiations take place State, Federal, CDC, OSHA and Department of Labor guidelines will be taken into consideration. All of our employers must be open to considering reasonable options for employees who have legitimate medical reasons for declining to be vaccinated.
IBEW Local 21 has been contacted by management representatives from Altura regarding mandatory Covid 19 vaccinations. We will be entering into negotiations with the company on their policy.
Most can agree on the need for employees to be vaccinated and we realize Covid vaccinations can be a sensitive and personal issue for some employees. When negotiations take place State, Federal, CDC, OSHA and Department of Labor guidelines will be taken into consideration. All of our employers must be open to considering reasonable options for employees who have legitimate medical reasons for declining to be vaccinated.
IBEW Local 21 has been contacted by management representatives from both CBRE and Altura regarding mandatory Covid 19 vaccinations. We will be entering into negotiations with both companies. Most can agree on the need for employees to be vaccinated and we realize Covid vaccinations can be a sensitive and personal issue for some employees. When negotiations take place State, Federal, CDC, OSHA and Department of Labor guidelines will be taken into consideration. All of our employers must be open to considering reasonable options for employees who have legitimate medical and religious reasons for declining to be vaccinated.
It’s been a long 6 years, but the end is in sight for our struggle for justice at Altura.
We entered into negotiations with Altura in the summer of 2015 intending to achieve a new contract. The company did not enter those negotiations in good faith and strung them out until January 2016, whereupon it imposed illegal, unilateral terms on our members. Shortly thereafter the Union filed a charge with the NLRB against Altura. In March of 2017 a hearing was held, and the Union’s charge was upheld by the Administrative Law Judge assigned to the case. The company appealed that decision to the NLRB in Washington, and again we were victorious.
Next, Altura appealed the Board’s rulings to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, where a 3-judge panel upheld the Board and the ALJ’s prior rulings in the Union’s favor.
AT&T recently released a safety video demonstrating how to properly tie a clove hitch knot. The training video was filmed in the Company’s home state of Texas and was released throughout the Company’s network organizations. As the video states: “They have attempted to use a lot of humor to get their point across,” and a high ranking company official boasts that: “You will not be able to get this message out of your head.” Groups of employees definitely cannot get the imagery out of their heads.
Sadly, the video reinforces the message that high level company officials are blind to the existence of systemic discrimination and social intolerance that appears to exist at AT&T. While the video received positive reviews from some employees, others could not help but see a harmful racial undertone. The video is hurtful.
A message was sent to AT&T employees regarding the company’s mask and vaccination policies. It stated, “In the interest of employee safety, we plan to begin discussions with our union partners to jointly align on a path forward for union-represented employees.
Other than the notification no other discussions have taken place regarding a potential Covid vaccination policy.
We realize Covid vaccinations can be a sensitive and personal issue for some employees. When discussions take place State and Federal guidelines will be considered.
In 1891, ten electrical workers met to form the first national union for the advancement and safety of those practicing a challenging and dangerous craft. Today, we are fighting a battle against a dangerous and deadly virus that is challenging all of us to reach agreement with our employers that will ensure the safety our members, their families and our fellow citizens.
With the recent storms that have ripped through our area and the hot and humid conditions we must remind all of our members to work safely. The most deadly hazards could be the ones you can’t see like foreign voltage and heat and humidity. Don’t forget to check for foreign voltage dangers and stay hydrated.
The Work from Home Agreements for IBEW members working at AT&T have been extended through December 31, 2021. This extension applies to all IBEW members working under all IBEW – AT&T Contracts who have been identified as employees who are eligible to perform their job duties from home. The Company has the right to cancel the agreements at any time with a seven-day notice. Participation is at the discretion of management and is entirely voluntary on the behalf of employees.
We remind all members to continue to work safe and to take all necessary precautions to limit the spread of Covid-19.
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Brothers Bill Topalovic and Jeremy Murphy raise a crossbox destroyed by the Woodridge Tornado.
IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson was in Chicago and stopped by the IBEW 21 Union Hall to support the IBEW SCT-3 AT&T Direct TV Call Cent
It is not that cold!
Neighborhood Watch Bourbonnais Solidarity
Great Job! Union Stewards Cedric Wouldfolk and DeJon Willis volunteer at the Anti-Violence block party in Chicago.
Great Job Rock Island! IBEW 21 members hit their goal all the kids at Bethany Home now have a new backpack for school!
Dodging the Rain Drops Alan Fayia an IBEW 21 AT&T “Downtown” Walker dodges the rain as he walks from job to job in Chicago.
Proud to Help! IBEW 21 members help build a house for a vet alongside volunteers from A Soldier’s Journey more pics can be found in our photo gallery.
Great Job City of Chicago 911 OEMC Members! Congratulations to our members who received awards for their outstanding public service and to our new members who just graduated.
Fleet mechanic James “Jimmy” Byrne testing a line truck at the Cermak garage.
Jim Fleming and Jim Moniak working in Morocco, IN
Steve McCullum - Romeoville DEG tech working on a crossbox in Alsip.
Ed Lauer as he works on a Hicap circuit in the manhole on Foster Ave. and York Road in Bensenville.
All Nighter Paul Cavenaile works a 900 pair pulp cable hit at 75th & Lemont Road.
IBEW 21 COVID-19 Updates
IBEW 21 members should check here to find the latest COVID-19 news.
This area may also include employer specific information when its available.
This information will be updated as necessary.
All members should take proper precautions to protect themselves from COVID 19 and follow the precautions given to you by your employers.
We are all in this together and we all need to do our part
for ourselves, our families and those we serve.
The information below is from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Illinois and Indiana Departments of Health.
Symptoms Fever • Cough • Shortness of breath
They may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes that can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Clean your hands often.
Avoid close contact.
Stay home if you’re sick and wear a mask.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Clean and disinfect.
President Biden talks about the importance of unions and how they build the middle class.
He supports the right of collective bargaining and the right to join a union.
