Brookfield Zoo’s Proposal to Subcontract Work Fails to Address Hiring Freeze and Serious Concerns Over Staffing and Safety
**CORRECTION**
Brookfield Zoo’s recent actions continue to reveal a troubling pattern of lies, mismanagement, hypocrisy, and utter disregard for its workforce. On Monday, January 26, 2025, Teamsters Local 727 and the Zoo met over the Zoo’s proposal to violate the contract by outsourcing landscaping work historically performed by bargaining unit employees to subcontractors. Since the Parties began discussions in July of 2025, the Zoo has continued to unlawfully refuse to provide relevant information requested by the Union regarding the actual and budgeted costs for the use of the subcontractors proposed by the Zoo. It leaves the Union wondering what the Zoo could be hiding, raising serious doubt about transparency and motive.
Nichole Gladney, Vice President of People and Culture at the Zoo, and the Zoo’s Counsel Andy Goldberg have both admitted that it will undoubtedly be more expensive for the Zoo to use its proposed subcontractors but refused to provide the actual amount it intends to spend and where the Zoo is offsetting it. Instead, the Zoo shockingly admitted that the expense was not a factor considered by the Zoo and blamed the current groundskeepers for not working to the level the Zoo apparently desires. During today’s meeting Andy Goldberg stated that “the position [of the Zoo] is the people [i.e. Groundskeepers] we have working for us are not able to, in the timeframe allowed, bring grounds to conditions they need to be at. And the conclusion was putting work under people who specialize and focus in that work is best for the Zoo.” Stated another way, the Zoo’s position is that the current groundskeepers are failing and unable to do their jobs well. In addition to this being illogical, given the reductions and understaffing, the Zoo’s failure to consider costs is also a blatant and clear violation of the Parties’ CBA.
As a reminder, during the Parties last negotiation, Article 3 of the CBA was discussed ad nauseum including the explicit requirement for the Zoo to consider the exact costing information requested by the Union.
The timing of the Zoo’s intentional ignorance on costs and the CBA is also noteworthy as late last year, the Zoo announced a decline in attendance and implementation of a hiring freeze, signaling financial hardship. This does not seem to align with its unprecedented outsourcing effort that admittedly increases costs and threatens bargaining unit work even further. Almost every department at the Zoo, including animal care programs, has reported being short-staffed and overworked, raising genuine concerns about the health and safety of both worker and animal.
“Rather than spending more money on outsourcing work, the Zoo needs to spend its money to address the ongoing staff shortages,” said John Coli, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727. “It is hypocritical for the Zoo to cry broke and announce a hiring freeze while simultaneously ignoring the increases costs of subcontractors. The Zoo claims be focused on animal welfare but are prioritizing subcontracting over their own animal care staff who are stretched thin, overburdened, and unable to safely perform their duties.”
This absurd proposal by the Zoo once again showed their continued lack of credibility. Spending on contractors over investing in bargaining unit worker safety and animal welfare is illogical. The decision to outsource amidst staffing shortages suggests a calculated move to attempt to weaken Union strength right before bargaining begins.
In light of all the Union raised and the clear violations, the Zoo stated that it will not move ahead with its plan to subcontract out landscaping work.
“Take managements word with a grain of a salt,” said Coli. “I expect them to issue yet another misleading email or letter to the bargaining unit in the coming days and as we move forward with negotiations. I ask that every member read their communications knowing that they are hiding information, refuse to come to the table to bargain in good faith, and aren’t following the CBA. We know their playbook – when Dr. Mike sends you the flowery email about the Union, this meeting, and future bargaining, forward it to your business agent. We will remain steadfast in our commitment to raise the standards for both Union members and the animals you care for.”
Members with questions or concerns should reach out to Business Representative Sean McGough at (847) 696-7500 or [email protected].
Nothing in this article should be read as the union’s waiver of any legal argument, position or grievance(s), or as a waiver of any rights, arguments, or defenses under any contract, collective bargaining agreement, or applicable law. The union does not forfeit its right to make any and all supplemental arguments.
Category: Union News
