Democratic National Convention 2024: City of Chicago comes to agreement with local labor unions

CHICAGO - A major deal was signed Tuesday that all but guarantees union workers at the United Center, McCormick Place, and at Chicago area hotels and airports, will be working and not picketing as the country watches the Democratic Party nominate their candidate for President of the United States in The Windy City next summer.

At today’s signing, Governor J.B. Pritzker called the early collaboration in the planning process "truly unprecedented." As part of the agreement the city of Chicago and the DNC have reached an accord with nearly a dozen labor unions, including but not limited to, the Teamsters, the SEIU, and hotel workers all of which have agreed not to strike provided their terms are met.

"This will be a convention that is of by and for union workers. Not only that, this labor agreement will provide good paying jobs in communities across the city as we work to re-route the rivers of places where there’s been dry land and those who are thirsty will no longer have to thirst," said Mayor Brandon Johnson.

SUBSCRIBE TO FOX 32 ON YOUTUBE

Early estimates have the city welcoming some 50,000 visitors for the convention next August, and although revenue projections vary, they are substantial with anywhere between $150 and $200 million dollars being pumped into the local economy.

Rob Reiter, President of Chicago’s Federation of Labor, credited the city’s rich union history with the early signing.

"Chicago’s labor movement comes to every table ready to get a deal done for our members and that’s exactly what we’ve done here," Reiter said.

City leaders say they are ready for the thousands of delegates and the security that will be needed.

The convention will run from Aug. 19 to Aug. 22 in 2024.