CHICAGO — As negotiations resume on Friday, May 1, Teamsters Local 727 is calling on the Chicago Zoological Society (d/b/a Brookfield Zoo Chicago) management to do the right thing for its Teamsters members, the animals, and the institution itself by coming to the table with a fair and responsible contract proposal.
Instead of bargaining in good faith, Zoo management has relied on scare tactics designed to divide workers and mislead the public. Management has also claimed that Zoo employees are already fairly compensated, pointing to wage comparisons with states like Alabama and West Virginia. These comparisons ignore the reality of the Chicagoland area, where the cost of living is significantly higher and workers struggle to keep up with rising healthcare, housing, and everyday expenses.
“Zoo officials have suggested that fair wages and benefits for frontline workers would force higher admission prices,” said Teamsters Local 727 Secretary-Treasurer John Coli, Jr. “What they neglect to mention is that they were already opening discussing a $3 increase in admissions to offset executive compensation, including costly buyouts for senior executives long before workers demanded fairness at the bargaining table.”
“Our members are not the problem,” Coli continued. “Our members at Brookfield Zoo are the reason it’s a world class institution. The Zoo needs to come to the table and bargain in good faith and treat their Teamsters members with the respect they’ve earned. Demanding to retain their Union healthcare, have safe staffing levels, and be given fair raises isn’t greed – refusing to give those things in exchange for inflated management salaries and buy-outs is.”
Zoo workers are the caregivers, keepers, and professionals who ensure animal welfare, visitor safety, and the Zoo’s reputation for excellence. A fair contract is not just good for employees – it is essential to maintaining the integrity and future of Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Teamsters Local 727 urges Zoo management to stop the misinformation and propose a contract that reflects fairness, honesty, and shared values. The current collective bargaining agreement extension expires Friday, May 1 at 11:59 am.
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.
# # #
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.