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Chicago parking attendants end strike at O'Hare, McCormick Place and Hyatt

Chicago parking attendants end strike at O'Hare, McCormick Place and Hyatt

Force in Play Chicago, IL local

Teamsters Local 727 ended the four-day walkout Friday after reaching an agreement with the Chicago Parking Association.

5 days ago: Union announces agreement to end strike

Overview

Updated 4 days ago

Parking attendants at O'Hare International Airport, McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency walked off the job Nov. 3. The strike expanded in waves, and the union said it could reach about 200 locations, including airports, hotels, hospitals and Bears and Bulls games.

Teamsters Local 727 announced the agreement Friday, ending the four-day walkout. More than 30 unfair labor practice charges were pending when the deal was announced.

Why it matters

A four-day strike by nearly 1,200 parking workers tested whether Chicago's airports and convention venues could keep traffic moving without a contract.

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Key Indicators

1,200
Union members represented
Teamsters Local 727 represents parking attendants, porters and customer service representatives.
98%
Strike authorization vote
Share of voting members who authorized a strike.
27%
Operator contract offer
Chicago Parking Association's proposed increase in wages and benefits over five years.
7%+
First-year wage increase
First-year raise in the operators' proposal, described by the association as more than 7%.
200
Locations union said strike could reach
The union said the walkout could reach about 200 sites, including airports, hotels, hospitals and sports venues.
30+
Unfair labor practice charges pending
More than 30 charges were pending when the union announced the deal on Nov. 6.
4
Days of striking
The walkout ran from Nov. 3 to Nov. 6.

Voices

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People Involved

JJ
John Coli Jr.
Secretary-treasurer, Teamsters Local 727
Led Teamsters Local 727 during the strike; the union announced an agreement on Nov. 6.

Organizations Involved

Teamsters Local 727
Teamsters Local 727
Labor union
Reached an agreement with the Chicago Parking Association on Nov. 6 to end the strike.

Chicago Teamsters local representing nearly 1,200 parking attendants and related workers.
CP
Chicago Parking Association
Employer association
Reached an agreement with Teamsters Local 727 on Nov. 6.

Group representing parking companies that operate garages at Chicago venues.
Chicago Department of Aviation
Chicago Department of Aviation
City Agency
Said O'Hare parking operations continued normally during the Nov. 3-6 strike.

Operates O'Hare and Midway airports.
McCormick Place
McCormick Place
Convention center
Said events and parking garages operated as usual during the strike.

Chicago convention center served by public transit and parking garages.
Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Regency
Hotel
Was a picket site on Nov. 3; no comment from hotel representatives was reported.

Downtown Chicago hotel and one of the initial strike locations.

Timeline

October 2026 November 2026

8 events Latest: 5 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Union announces agreement to end strike

    Latest Labor agreement

    Teamsters Local 727 announced Friday that it reached an agreement with the Chicago Parking Association to end the unfair labor practice strike. More than 30 unfair labor practice charges were pending at the time.

  2. Strike expands in waves

    Strike

    The walkout expanded Wednesday, and the union said it could reach about 200 locations. Garages remained open, and the union warned of possible delays at airports, hotels, hospitals and sports venues.

  3. Strike begins at three locations

    Strike

    Parking attendants form picket lines at O'Hare, McCormick Place and Hyatt Regency.

  4. O'Hare and McCormick say operations normal

    Statement

    Chicago Department of Aviation and McCormick Place say parking operations continue normally.

  5. Union accuses operators of bad-faith bargaining

    Labor complaint

    Teamsters say operators refused to bargain, retaliated and made unilateral changes.

  6. Operators defend contract offer

    Statement

    Chicago Parking Association says five-year offer includes 27% wage and benefit increase.

  7. Union urges Democrats to honor Navy Pier picket line

    Statement

    Teamsters Local 727 called on Gov. JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and other Illinois Democrats to honor any picket line at Navy Pier during the parking strike.

  8. Contract expires; strike authorized

    Labor

    Teamsters Local 727 contract with Chicago Parking Association expires; 98% of voting members authorize strike.

Scenarios

1

Strike ends with ratified contract

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Teamsters Local 727 and Chicago Parking Association statements reported by Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune

The union and parking operators return to bargaining and reach a deal that members ratify. The operators' 27% five-year offer is the starting point, but the union says the dispute includes unfair labor practice charges and rising benefit costs.

2

Strike expands to Navy Pier and other garages

Possible Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Teamsters Local 727 statements reported by Chicago Sun-Times

The union has said the picket could expand to other parking garages, including Navy Pier. Expansion would raise pressure on operators and test whether other venues can keep parking open.

3

O'Hare parking disruptions hit holiday travel

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Chicago Department of Aviation statements and local coverage

If the strike lasts and pickets expand, O'Hare parking operations could face delays or closures. The aviation department says it will communicate any interruptions on social media.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

July 2010

Hyatt O'Hare hotel workers strike (2010)

Union contracts covering Hyatt O'Hare workers and about 8,000 other Chicago-area hotel workers expired in August 2009. In July 2010, hundreds of Hyatt O'Hare workers voted 92% to authorize a strike and joined a citywide hotel labor dispute.

Then

Hyatt O'Hare workers went on strike as part of demonstrations against Hyatt.

Now

The action was part of a broader Hyatt labor campaign across North America.

Why this matters now

Shows a Chicago hospitality strike where contract expiration and a high authorization vote preceded picket lines.

August 1981

Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization strike (1981)

In August 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers struck illegally after contract talks failed. President Ronald Reagan ordered them back to work and fired those who refused.

Then

Reagan fired the striking controllers and decertified their union.

Now

The episode became a reference point for employer resistance to strikes at transportation hubs.

Why this matters now

Shows how a strike at a transport hub can become a test of whether operations continue without striking workers.

Sources

(11)
+5
Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Tribune UNITE HERE NBC Chicago Daily Herald Secret Chicago ABC7 Chicago AOL PR Newswire PR Newswire Chicago Sun-Times