Garcia backs $15 minimum wage for CPS employees

CHICAGO (WLS) -- With less than weeks from Election Day, two labor unions have been very active in their support of Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Some of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's supporters are wonder what that could mean if Garcia is elected.

In his first public appearance since returning to the city, Garcia joined a demonstration by the Chicago Teachers Union, which already has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Garcia's campaign. They demanded that Chicago Public Schools enact a $15 an hour minimum wage.

"In order for the plight of Chicago neighborhoods to improve, we need to raise those wages," Garcia said.

A few minutes before the CTU demonstration, the Service Employees International Union marched. SEIU also supports Garcia and runs campaign commercials on the challenger's behalf.

"I would argue the $15 hour minimum wage is being pushed because it is an election year. There's an election in two weeks," 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly said.

Reilly and city treasurer Kurt Summers - both of whom support Mayor Rahm Emanuel - repeated their demand that Garcia produce a detailed fiscal plan.

"Chuy Garcia hasn't done that. The mayor has. It's that simple," Summer said.

The mayor did not take questions following his only scheduled public event on Wednesday. But Reilly was asked if he trusted Garcia, if elected, could fairly negotiate contracts with public sector unions.

"It does call into question his ability to play hardball when needed," Reilly said.

But CTU leader Jesse Sharkey says Garcia would bring what he called a "needed balance" to the city's relationship with working people.

"The mayor that we have has shown himself to be a very loyal representative of the interests of LaSalle Street and the interests of the wealthy," Sharkey said.