(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Faced with potential cuts to their healthcare benefits, members of the Teamsters union rallied outside IDOT headquarters in Schaumburg on Wednesday.
Jimmy Provenzano says the work he and other maintenance workers do is dangerous, whether it’s fixing potholes or blocking highway ramps.
“All these protests have been going on,” he said. “Our guys are put out there. In the majority of the time, there is no police backup. We’re on our own in these trucks and have to deal with irate citizens.”
Teamster Robert Cohn said the state’s proposal would move them out of their union health insurance, which include benefits they won in a prior contract in lieu of pay raises worth about $3.40 an hour.
The unions say despite plenty of bargaining sessions since their contracts expired, they are far apart from the state’s offer.
Officials with the Illinois Department of Transportation say the agency values its employees and looks forward to continuing a successful partnership with all of its collective bargaining units.