JB Pritzker’s union issues
Thursday, May 4, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mark Brown…
Just six months ago, workers at PECO Pallet in Hegewisch brought out the giant inflatable rat to draw attention to their frustrations in negotiating their first union contract with an ownership group led by billionaire venture capitalist J.B. Pritzker.
On Wednesday, a group of 14 other unions made an exceptionally early leap into the 2018 governor’s race by endorsing the very same Pritzker for the Democratic nomination, lauding him for his commitment to working people.
These are not necessarily conflicting facts, but they do highlight the complications of an ultra-wealthy businessman trying to launch a political career on the Democratic side of the ledger.
For Pritzker, who is trying to build early momentum in the multi-candidate Democratic field with a likely goal of convincing opponent Chris Kennedy to back out, the union support is key to knocking down criticism that he’s just another rich guy.
But it’s just as plain that it’s Pritzker’s vast wealth — and his stated willingness to invest it toward vanquishing Gov. Bruce Rauner and in support of other Democrats — that makes his candidacy so attractive to party leaders working behind the scenes to help launch his campaign.
You really should read the whole thing. The union pickets came down after Pritzker personally intervened, but it’s chock full of other interesting stuff.
* Meanwhile, Amanda Vinicky has some react to yesterday’s union endorsements…
Businessman Chris Kennedy’s media team emailed a reaction showing a screenshot of a Google search for “Hyatt hotels union boycott.”
Pritzker is heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune.
A Google search turns up a history of Hyatt hotel labor dispute and worker strikes.
Pritzker does still have an ownership stake in Hyatt though it’s relatively small, and his campaign says he has no management role.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:29 am:
No union should ever endorse a rich candidate.
It’s like Weight Watchers endorsing Chef Boy-R-Dee.
- BK Bro - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:31 am:
Uber wealthy Republican guy vs uber wealthy Democrat guy for governor. This is what makes politics awesome.
- Arsenal - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:31 am:
==Businessman Chris Kennedy’s media team emailed a reaction showing a screenshot of a Google search for “Hyatt hotels union boycott.”==
Um, Chris, can’t you do better than Google screen shots?
- Man with a Plan - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:32 am:
Brown’s story was good for JB if anything. There was a labor dispute until he stepped in and resolved it.
- VeryOriginal - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:39 am:
@Arsenal - What makes it even more laughable is that Biss retweeted one of his consultants that posted the same thing a few days ago…
- Northsider - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:40 am:
=== No union should ever endorse a rich candidate.
It’s like Weight Watchers endorsing Chef Boy-R-Dee. ===
Yeah. They should just buy them like CEOs and other 1 percenters do in between the filet mignon topped with foie gras and the creme caramel and brandy.
- W Flag - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:40 am:
That did not take long.
The Pritzkers seem to be pro-union as long as you are not working for them or their companies.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:43 am:
Northsider-
That’s what JB had for breakfast today.
- DuPage - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:58 am:
The good times for the TV stations ad revenues are fast approaching. Two billionaires buying non-stop political attack ads.
- City Zen - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 12:08 pm:
==It’s like Weight Watchers endorsing Chef Boy-R-Dee.==
Interesting Weight Watchers was your first choice to describe the union endorsement.
- Anon0091 - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 12:18 pm:
“- W Flag - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 11:40 am:
That did not take long.
The Pritzkers seem to be pro-union as long as you are not working for them or their companies.”
That’s not actually what the Brown story said. It said as soon as Pritzker realized there was an issue, the problem went away.
- Rocky Rosi - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
JB must walk a fine line with the unions. Most people are not part of the Union. That being said most union workers make more money than the avg Joe and Mary. It’s the mad little guy that’s going to show up to vote in 2018.
- A Jack - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 12:42 pm:
The Kennedys have quite a history with the Teamsters as well. I would say a much worse history than any Hyatt strikes.
- Jeff Trigg - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
Hotel workers would make more if there wasn’t a 25% tax on Chicago hotel rooms, so there’s that too.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
“Schutzius said PECO agreed to “very reasonable” non-economic terms for a first-time contract, but said the workers had to compromise on their money demands.”
and:
“Union members ratified their new contract on March 7, which a cynic might point out is around the time Pritzker would have been nailing down loose ends in preparation for his campaign announcement.”
YUP! Call me a cynic. And the union membership also had to compromise on wages? Fortelling AFSCME’s future with a Governor JB?
- A guy - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 3:14 pm:
This is just the beginning of this theme, and this one came from a very friendly reporter..
Expect more…
- City Zen - Thursday, May 4, 17 @ 3:29 pm:
==this one came from a very friendly reporter==
You ain’t kiddin. From the article:
“I’ll say this much for Pritzker. At least he can point to an Illinois manufacturing business that he claims as his own, unlike Gov. Bruce Rauner who acts like he wouldn’t waste his money in this state.”
- The young gov - Friday, May 5, 17 @ 12:03 am:
It’s not complicated. From Chicago Tonight (5/4):
“But one union leader said the reason to back Pritzker is simple: He’s got the best shot at winning. (He later added that he appreciates Pritzker’s record and commitment to social change.)”