SP+ Reimburses Full-Time Residential Parking Members For Involuntary Paid Time Off During Furlough
During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, full-time parking members working at SP+ residential locations, including those working at a number of Gold Coast condominium buildings along Lake Shore Drive, were unjustly and unilaterally furloughed by the company in direct violation of the CBA and National Labor Relations Act. Over the course of several weeks, full-time employees at a few SP+ residential locations were unjustly furloughed one day per week and forced to exhaust their paid time off to compensate for the loss of pay. At some locations, SP+ management even attempted to coerce employees into signing an individual agreement that attempted to give the company permission to compensate the loss of work hours with their own paid time off. In doing so, the company violated federal labor law and numerous contract provisions and protections, including the long-standing 40 hour guarantee and prohibition against individual agreements that conflict with contract.
The Union was first notified of these violations by several full-time SP+ residential parking members who were concerned after management approached them about a purportedly new weekly furlough arrangement. They were forced to use vacation and sick time to be compensated for the reduction in hours unilaterally and unlawfully imposed on them by SP+. Some members were even threatened with disciplinary action if they did not sign this unlawful agreement. Upon hearing this, Teamsters 727 immediately sprang into action and filed a grievance and ULP against the company and pressed management for information regarding affected members. After completing a thorough investigation, the Union discovered a handful of members were indeed furloughed in violation of the contract. As a result of the grievance investigation and the Union’s persistence, the company has agreed to reimburse the affected members for any involuntary paid time off used during the furloughs.
“SP+ is the largest Union parking operator in Chicago and has been one of the biggest offenders of violating the contract during this pandemic” said John Coli Jr. Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 727. “The 40-hour guarantee and prohibition against individual agreements are staples of the Commercial Parking Agreement that SP+ should have been well aware of. This is a great example of why it is important for members to know their contract, and to alert the Union of any violations immediately. The Union will never hesitate to protect and fight for our members’ contractual rights.”
Questions or concerns should be directed to Business Agent Ben Rodriguez at 847-696-7500.
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: PARKING
