Cook County Forest Preserves To Remain Open During Teamsters Strike

COOK COUNTY, IL — Nearly 200 union workers who help maintain the Forest Preserves of Cook County went on strike Monday after rejecting the district's revised contract offer, escalating a labor dispute over wages, pay progression and other working conditions.

The workers, members of Teamsters Local 700, include truck drivers, laborers and mechanics responsible for clearing roads, maintaining equipment and helping keep preserve properties open to the public.

The strike follows Patch's Aug. 3 report that Local 700 members had overwhelmingly voted to authorize a walkout after rejecting what the district called its "last, best and final" offer. At that point, the vote gave union leaders authority to call a strike, but workers had not yet walked off the job.

The Forest Preserves said Monday its sites will remain open and operational during the strike, including trails, picnic groves, nature centers, campgrounds, golf courses and fishing lakes.

Union Says Pay Gap Remains

Local 700 said workers rejected a revised "last, best and final" offer because the district has not addressed what the union describes as a significant pay gap between its members and employees doing similar work at other public agencies.

"Our members would rather be out in the preserves doing the work they take pride in, but the District left them no choice," Local 700 President Ramon Williams said.

RELATED: Cook County Forest Preserve Workers Authorize Strike

Williams said Forest Preserve workers earn less than comparable employees at the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways, Chicago Park District, City of Chicago, Illinois Tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation.

The union also contends nonunion Forest Preserve employees advance through the district's pay scale at roughly 5 percent per step, while Local 700 members advance by about one-half of 1 percent per step.

That disparity was among the issues raised before the strike authorization vote earlier this month.

Local 700 also criticized the district for using outside contractors to perform work that union members say should be handled by bargaining-unit employees.

Forest Preserves Says Offer Includes 8 Percent In Raises

The Forest Preserves presented a different view of the negotiations Monday, saying it has made proposals that are competitive while working within long-term financial limits.

Its offer includes a 2 percent raise in January 2026, another 2 percent raise in July 2026 and a 4 percent increase in July 2027, along with a $2,500 one-time payment for full-time employees.

The district said it later added a paid lunch period, broader overtime rules and a $1,250 one-time payment for seasonal employees.

"All the employees of the Forest Preserves are critical to our success, and that certainly is the case for the members of Local 700," General Superintendent Adam Bianchi said. "We recognize and appreciate the work they do every day all year long to keep the Preserves a place that is a gem in Cook County."

Bianchi said the district believes its compensation package is competitive and that an agreement can still be reached.

The Forest Preserves said six unions have accepted the same or similar terms as its original proposal.

The district also said Local 700 members have received six raises and three one-time payments over the past five years. Under the current proposal, it said starting salaries would have risen by about one-third since June 2021.

Preserves To Remain Open

Despite the strike, Forest Preserve officials said the system will remain open to visitors.

The district said any operational changes will prioritize public safety, ecological health and minimizing disruption.

Officials said employees will not be locked out and Local 700 members are not prohibited from reporting to work during the strike.

The Forest Preserves encompass more than 70,000 acres across Cook County and attract an estimated 62 million visits annually.

Visitors are being encouraged to check the Forest Preserves website for updates on planned events, trail access and other location-specific information.