Chicago Skyway toll workers strike averted

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Union workers who operate the toll booths on the Chicago Skyway voted to ratify a new contract offer given to them by the Chicago Skyway Concession Company.

The new contract, which goes through July 3, 2018, includes wage increases and also guarantees full-timi positions and limits the company's use of seasonal workers, the union said.

"These job protections and guarantees are a huge win for our members," said John Coli Jr., president of Teamsters Local 727, which represents the toll collectors. "The company no longer will have the unlimited ability to hire temporary employees while our members sit at home, ready, willing and able to work.

The toll operators - most of whom are part-time workers - are paid $11 an hour with no health insurance. They had been working without a contract since Monday.

Toll operators had been prepared to strike if a contract could not be ratified, which could have caused major traffic repercussions over the holiday weekend.