Progress Illinois

Phlebotomists employed by LifeSource are being forced to work long hours for little pay, according to one worker who spoke to the need for union representation at the Thompson Center in Chicago today.

Tiffany Walker, 41, is one of 160 LifeSource phlebotomists being provided the opportunity to vote Friday to join the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW), Local 881.

“We haven’t had a voice for a very long time,” said Walker, an Auburn-Gresham resident and LifeSource phlebotomist of five years.

“If we get union representation, maybe we’ll be able to stand up and speak for ourselves, and hopefully change some of our rough work conditions and make a living wage.”

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The following was written by Jorge Ramirez, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor.

One positive side effect of Congress passing comprehensive immigration reform would be an increase in workplace safety and a reduction in the staggering number of fatalities, injuries and illnesses suffered by workers on the job in the United States.

The debate over the most sweeping reform to our nation’s immigration system provides added significance as we honor Workers Memorial Day on April 28, remembering those who were killed, injured or became seriously ill because of their job.

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Four months before their existing contracts were set to expire, more than 600 Hilton Hotel workers represented by Unite Here Local 1 and Local 450 have reached a five-year contract settlement with the hotel chain.

Workers’ from the Drake, Palmer House Hilton, Chicago Hilton, and Hilton O’Hare voted Saturday to ratify the agreement with the Virginia-based hotel chain, well before the August 31 contract expiration date. 

“This is really significant in that this has all been done before the expiration of the current contract,” said Carly Karmel, spokesperson for Unite Here. 

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