Strike Affects Darien Road Projects

DARIEN, IL – A union's strike against materials companies is affecting road and drainage projects in Darien, an official said this week. This is the case around the suburbs.

The strike, which started a couple of weeks ago, is by the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.

At Monday's City Council meeting, Dan Gombac, the city's municipal services director, said the conflict is impacting the city's street and backyard drainage program.

"We just started to experience difficulties in getting stone," Gombac said. "Unfortunately, we don't have a good timeline for when this strike will end."

Bailey Road and Gleneagles Lane are among the projects that have already started, officials said.

Gombac said the barricades are expected to remain on those streets, particularly because of minor drop-offs.

"We're currently working through that from a logistics standpoint," he said.

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 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.

In a statement last week, the Chicago Area Aggregate Producers Association, which represents the companies, said it has been trying to get to the "real issues" since early March. It said the union had yet to present a wage and benefits proposal.

"(Association) members work hard to treat their employees fairly, and they value employee safety, health and well-being," the statement said.

The association said Local 150 members pay no premiums for their health insurance and that members have access to a "comfortable" pension plan.

The association also said it is not busing in replacement workers.