21 May 2019
You can see, feel and sense labour immediately after the entrance.
Walked to One Prudential Plaza for a meeting at the Chicago Federation of Labor. The meeting was made possible through my host Ric Estrada. During the discussion with my host prior to the programme, I had shared my interest to meet union leaders during my stay in Chicago as that would be relevant to my professional work.
Chicago Federation of Labor office at Level 26
You can see, feel and sense labour immediately after the entrance.
Labor
The Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL) is the federation of unions in Cook County and Chicago. CFL is the third largest central labor council of the largest national trade union center, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). The CFL comprises 320 affiliated member unions, which in turn, represent about 500,000 members. The unionisation rate of Chicago is 12.89% as of 2016.
Illinois Workers Memorial - remembering workers killed and injured on the job
I met with Bob Reiter, President, Chicago Federation of Labor and Don Villar, Secretary-Treasurer, Chicago Federation of Labor. Bob was formerly an Engineer from the building and construction sector, while Don was from the broadcasting sector. Both Bob and Don were formerly attorneys.
Learnt that there are about 28 unions in the construction sector, and the unions conduct collective bargaining at the industry level.
One of the challenges faced by CFL is managing the relations amongst affiliates, which might be contesting to organise in similar sectors.
As in all unions, the CFL supports pro-labour candidates in elections. It does so by seeking a two-third majority vote from its affiliates to endorse candidates. At times, as affiliates hold varying views on proposed candidates, there might not be a consensus. For instance, in the recent Mayoral election, CFL did not endorse a candidate. On hindsight, this probably placed CFL in a good neutral position, since there was a bitter contest between the current Mayor Lori Lightfoot and President of Cook County Board Toni Preckwinkle (who lost the elections), and CFL had to work with both Chicago City and Cook County in its jurisdiction. But in times when CFL affiliates could agree on backing a candidate, the candidate almost would have a sure-win at the polls.
In terms of employment and employability initiatives, CFL runs job-ready programmes in high schools. The CFL Workforce & Community Initiative "connects job seekers to employers by developing and strengthening skilled workers and making it easy for employers to find the right talent." CFL also runs a Chicago Federation of Labor Workers Assistance Committee, which runs several vocational programmes to enhance employability of jobseekers.
Unlike in Singapore where there is a trade union of employers, the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), there is no equivalent body representing employers across Chicago. Hence, tripartism in Chicago's context meant CFL and unions working with employers at the individual industry level.
While CFL elections are held quadrennially, union elections generally are held triennially. Once elected as President and Secretary-Treasurer, the two full-time roles in the Executive Board, they would relinquish their positions with their unions. CFL has a lean team of 7 staff as its secretariat.
With Bob Reiter, President; and Don Villar, Secretary-Treasurer of Chicago Federation of Labor
A spectacular view of Millenium Park from Don's office
As Don puts it, these are the "Fruits of Labor"
Don shared about the Haymarket statue, which I bookmarked into a "must-visit" place over the next few days.
Chicago Federation of Labor was registered in 1896
Quite an honour to have this photo taken by CFL Secretary-Treasurer
Walked back to Metropolitan Family Services after the meeting, and chanced upon the newspapers featuring some of the events the day before - The City's Inauguration and the Emergency Rally to Save Reproductive Rights.
"Reform is Here - Chicago's first black woman and openly gay mayor sworn in"
"Mayor faces Chicago aldermen, crime, public schools head on"
"In first act, Lightfoot signs order aimed at limiting aldermen's powers"
"Hundreds protests abortion bans, support reproductive rights bill"
Just for laughs
Had lunch with my host Ric, and discussed the proposed follow-up programme for him in Singapore. Part of the ACYPL YSEALI Programme entails a follow-up programme for the host of our fellowship organisations to visit our country to support the fellows in our projects. About 7 out of the 24 hosts would have a chance to travel to their fellows' countries.
During lunch, Ric also reviewed the fellowship programme and asked what other meetings I would like to have. I shared that I had a very comprehensive understanding of the various programmes, and that it would be great for me to hear from beneficiaries on the challenges they faced; as well as employability programmes which would be useful learning to me for my professional career. Ric would eventually work magic over the next few days for me to arrange meetings that achieved these.
Pantry space at Metropolitan Family Services
Love the ready supply of caffeine
Metropolitan Family Services Legal Aid Bureau's long history
After work, I went to Hyde Park to meet Nhung, who hosted me during my stay in Ho Chi Minh City during the 37th Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Programme 2010. Thanks to facebook, she spotted my presence in Chicago and reached out to me.
University of Chicago is at Hyde Park
As I accidentally locked myself out of my corporate housing and left my coat inside, Nhung's husband's coat kept me alive for the afternoon. We took a stroll, together with her daughter Annie, around the neighbourhood and the campus.
Pooling of toys from the neighbourhood
University of Chicago is privately funded, and was set up with initially funds from John D. Rockefeller
Annie dozed off
At the Main Quadrangle of University of Chicago
It was nice to recount the good old days. Can't believe Nhung remembered some of the fine details that happened 9 years ago. Also got to appreciate the merits of living in Chicago.
Sushi for Dinner
Annie holding on to a gift for my son
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