The Chicago Federation of Labor announced a deal earlier this morning with Wal-Mart that would clear the way for a new store at Pullman Park. The deal, which would only apply to the new store and not other future stores, will pay new workers at least $8.75/hour, a rate that will be bumped to $9.50/hour for workers after they've been at the store for a year. Wal-Mart also agreed to hire union workers to build the Pullman Park stores as well as stores throughout Northeast Illinois. Ald. Danny Soliz (25th), chairman of the Chicago City Council's zoning committee, indicated the deal would mean today's vote on the store would go forward as planned as opposed to another delay. more ›

The battle between Bensenville and the City of Chicago, due to the O'Hare expansion project, is over. The Tribune reports that under a new agreement, the demolition of houses could begin as early as December; the village agreed to end the fight in exchange for $16 million plus an additional $20 million more from the City of Chicago to insulate homes and schools from noise pollution caused by the planes flying in and out of O'Hare. The city will also hire consultants to assist in the demolition and will partner with the village to aid Bensenville in economic development. The village's long fight against O'Hare took a turn this spring when Frank Soto won election as village president; Soto called the agreement, "a victory for Bensenville." more ›

Publisher Melville House has announced that Chicago-based writer Kari Lydersen's account of the Republic Windows and Doors sit-in on her blog at the Washington Post a blog on the publisher's website is being turned into a book, due out in early 2009. Because nothing screams riveting page-turner like a sordid tale of severance pay, bad credit, and people sitting around on lawn chairs. No offense to Ms. Lydersen, but other than the people that actually did the sitting in, who's going to buy this book? Perhaps the publisher is hoping union leaders will snap up lots of copies to hand out to members as a how-to guide. more ›

After a six day sit-in by workers at the Republic Windows and Doors factory, an agreement to end the protest was reached. The workers approved a $1.75 million deal which will pay each worker eight weeks' salary, all accrued vacation pay and two months' paid health care. Late last night the workers voted unanimously to end the strike after a 20-hour negotiation involving union members, Republic management, members from the lender companies, and others such as U.S. Rep Luis Gutierrez. We mentioned the $400,000 from JP Morgan Chase that was put towards the deal; in addition, Bank of America has agreed to loan Republic management another $1.35 million. more ›

Adding to yesterday’s economic news of jobs leaving to the economy, oil prices reaching new highs, and the Dow dropping 400 points, hometown airline United announced they have reached a buy-out agreement with their flight attendants. more ›