(CHICAGO)— As the weather gets warmer, the flowers bloom, and the animals at the Chicago Zoological Society d/b/a Brookfield Zoo Chicago (CZS or the Brookfield Zoo) spend more time outdoors, it seems more likely than not that the very people who keep the Brookfield Zoo running will not be working. The hundreds of animal care specialists, groundskeepers, patrol officers, seasonals, aides, and custodians who make the magic at the Brookfield Zoo possible recently voted to authorize an unfair labor practice strike.
The collective bargaining agreement between Teamsters Local 727 and CZS expires at 11:59 a.m. on May 1, 2026. Teamsters Local 727 and CZS have been bargaining since February and are still very far apart from reaching a deal. Although the Parties had a full day of bargaining scheduled for April 27th and a half day scheduled for April 29th, CZS abruptly ended bargaining early on April 27th and presented its last best and final offer.
The Union has asked for wage increases and staffing guarantees to get the Teamsters workers what they deserve. The Brookfield Zoo, however, has proposed a less than 3.7% average increase over the life of the CBA with no long term staffing guarantees and elimination of the current Union healthcare plan in place with no proposed alternative.
CZS’s offer was overwhelmingly voted down and a ULP strike was authorized on April 28th. Throughout bargaining, CSZ has committed numerous unfair labor practice charges (ULPs) including bad faith bargaining, direct dealing, unilateral change, retaliation, and threatening/intimidating their Union workers. There are currently eight separate ULP charges pending with Region 13 against CSZ.
“The Zoo’s narrative will be that the Union is unreasonable and asking for too much. They will artificially inflate our proposals and turn our demands into double digit proposals without showing their math,” said Teamsters Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. “What they aren’t telling you is that while they are offering our hardworking members under 4%, their CEO, Dr. Mike Adkesson, has received an over 70% increase to his compensation according to the Zoo’s 990-IRS filings. Adding insult to injury, the Zoo’s last best and final proposal includes elimination of the 100% employer paid Union healthcare – something these members have earned and relied upon for decades. The Zoo has used our members’ pride at working for an animal conservatory and love of the animals against them for years. Our members deserve a fair contract that addresses their staffing and safety concerns and pays them a fair and equitable wage.”
Teamsters Local 727 and the Brookfield Zoo are set to meet on Friday until the contract expires at noon.
Teamsters Local 727 represents nearly 10,000 hardworking men and women throughout the Chicago area.
Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
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CONTACT: Caleen Carter-Patton
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.