http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/05/posted-by-john-byrne-and-hal-dardick-at-525-pmunion-and-wal-mart-officials-met-privately-this-week-in-an-11th-hour-effort.htmlMay 04, 2010
Posted by John Byrne and Hal Dardick at 5:25 p.m.
Labor union and Wal-Mart officials met privately this week to talk about longstanding differences before a Wednesday City Council committee debate on whether to allow one of the retail giant’s superstores to be built on the far South Side.
Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, today confirmed that he attended a Monday meeting between the two sides, who have been at loggerheads for years over the wages and benefits Wal-Mart pays its employees.
Union and company officials focused largely on wages, but could not bridge their gap, said one of several sources who knew of the meeting.
"Opening a dialogue was a good step, whether they agree or disagree," said Beale, who would not discuss specifics of the sit-down. "Both sides sense they have a goal in common, to bring good jobs to the community."
Beale strongly supports the new Wal-Mart, which would anchor the large-scale Pullman Park development in his ward. It’s the only viable way to bring large numbers of jobs, housing and a badly needed grocery store to the struggling area, he argues.
The two sides sat down for the first-of-its-kind session, held Monday, just two days before the committee hearing, sources said. The meeting came three months after Mayor Richard Daley urged them to meet and settle their differences.
FULL story at link.