CALL TO ACTION: Striking Chicago-Area IUOE Local 150 Members Need Our Help

In the spirit of solidarity, SMART-TD asks our members to support the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 150 in Countryside, Illinois. They have been on strike against unfair labor practices on the part of Cranemasters, Inc. for more than two months.

While the strike has been effective in the Chicagoland area, Cranemasters is a nationwide company, and the union needs more help pressuring them to come to the table.

“We’re hoping to overcome the information gap of us being in the Chicagoland area and not necessarily knowing where Cranemasters is working at all times,” explained Rob Paszta, IUOE Local 150 Associate General Counsel. “The eyes and ears of SMART members would be tremendous help in this regard.”

To assist in the strike, SMART-TD members are asked to report any known Cranemasters job sites anywhere in the country by calling (219) 405-5532. Paszta says that will help the local put data points together and know where folks are working.

Cranemasters is an emergency rerail, track, and car repair service active in the local’s jurisdiction.

Cranemasters refuses to negotiate

In August 2023, Cranemasters employees in Merrillville, Indiana and Schiller Park, Illinois voted to join IUOE Local 150. Since then, 17 unfair labor practice charges have been filed against Cranemasters on issues including refusing to bargain in good faith, firing employees who support the union, and taking work from the bargaining unit and sending it to non-union locations.

Furthering its anti-labor behavior, the company has refused to give workers a raise since the union was voted in, while other locations have been given a 10% raise in an attempt discourage any organizing efforts.

“Some of them have been working for two years without a raise in some of the worst inflationary times we’ve seen,” noted Paszta.

On November 4, Cranemasters employees went on strike after working for 15 months without a contract.

By supporting IUOE Local 150 in its unfair labor practice strike, Paszta predicts that the effort will pay off in the long run.

“It’s a good group of employees. They’re hard-working,” Paszta emphasized. “Any information that you [SMART-TD members] can provide would go a long way to help these employees get a contract and stop being mistreated in retaliation for forming a union. It’s just shameful the way the company is acting.”

Click to learn more about the Cranemasters strike and how you can help. ►