Court Rules in Favor of Union Labor over Trade Show Work Rules

April 1, 2011 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Don Scott, Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters

Phone: 312-787-3076

Carpenters Vow to Work to Find New Cost-Saving Solutions for McCormick Place

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters applauds the ruling handed down yesterday in federal district court, overturning key parts of a new Illinois state law that was legislated to purportedly address #tradeshow costs to exhibitors at McCormick Place and Navy Pier. As a result of this ruling, the federal judge will enter a permanent injunction prohibiting the enforcement of the new law. Carpenters union President Frank Libby hopes this decision will be the beginning of new era of cooperation, and the beginning of meaningful discussions among all the shareholders who work or do business at McCormick Place. “I see this ruling as an opportunity—an opportunity to work toward finding a much-needed, long-term, practical funding solution,” said Libby. “A solution that doesn't look to blame anyone and that requires the cooperation of all the trade show industry stakeholders. We remain ready and willing, as we always have, to begin a dialogue with the city, exhibitors, contractors and show managers to develop a long-term solution to the issues plaguing the Chicago trade show industry.”

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) law, which the Illinois #legislature passed in 2010, attempted to override the collective bargaining agreements and dictated new terms for work performed at McCormick Place.

U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Guzman’s ruling affirms that #collectivebargaining rights can’t be overturned by the Illinois legislature. The judge made the following points in his decision:

• The MPEA legislation does not guarantee that costs savings will be passed to the exhibitors. Instead, the judge recognized that the goal of reducing exhibitors’ costs is “left largely to the contractors’ discretion.”

• Moreover, the judge ruled that the legislature failed to tailor the law to the goal of reducing #exhibitor costs. The judge listed seven other ways to reduce costs “that intrude less on private labor relations.” Because the legislature did not consider any other cost-saving measures other than reducing the workers’ #wages, the judge ruled that the law was preempted by federal labor law and cannot be enforced.

The Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, as the record shows, had sought an exhibitor bill of rights and cost transparency on behalf of trade show exhibitors as ways of making sure

cost savings were truly being passed on to shows doing business in Chicago. “We are very pleased with the judge’s decision,” said Libby. “The men and women working these shows are only compensated for hours worked. These are not 40-hour-per-week jobs. The ruling supports our efforts to challenge the General Assembly’s attempt to legislate trade show workers out of the collective bargaining process.” The Carpenters union has been committed to Chicago’s trade show business and understands the significant role it has in the financial health of the city and state. But the ramifications of the previously enacted state law meant that our #tradeshowworkers lost significant man-hours, faced losing their health care and suffered severe hits to their retirement benefits. The Carpenters union remains devoted to its members yet committed to Chicago, its trade show business and the state’s economic health. This devotion and commitment can now move forward in unison as intended, meaning the safest and most #skilledlabor efficiently and productively working for the economic interests of Illinois. (Written by Don Scott while employed as Carpenters' Communications Director)