Chicago parking attendants strike at O'Hare, McCormick Place and Hyatt Regency

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Parking attendants at O'Hare International Airport, McCormick Place and the Hyatt Regency walked off the job at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Their union, Teamsters Local 727, represents nearly 1,200 workers who staff parking garages across Chicago.

The strike began after the workers' contract expired Friday and 98% of voting members authorized a walkout. The union accuses parking operators of bad-faith bargaining; the operators say their five-year offer includes a 27% increase in wages and benefits. O'Hare and McCormick Place said parking operations continued normally.

Why it matters

A strike by nearly 1,200 parking workers can test whether Chicago's airports and convention venues can keep traffic moving without a contract.

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Key Indicators

1,200

Union members represented

Teamsters Local 727 represents parking attendants, porters and customer service representatives.

98%

Strike authorization vote

Share of voting members who authorized a strike.

27%

Operator contract offer

Chicago Parking Association's proposed increase in wages and benefits over five years.

First-year wage increase

First-year raise in the operators' proposal.

Initial strike locations

O'Hare, McCormick Place and Hyatt Regency.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

John Coli Jr.

Secretary-treasurer, Teamsters Local 727

Leading the parking attendants strike

Organizations Involved

Teamsters Local 727

Labor union

On strike at three Chicago parking locations

Chicago Teamsters local representing nearly 1,200 parking attendants and related workers.

Chicago Parking Association

Employer association

Negotiating with Teamsters Local 727; says offer is generous

Group representing parking companies that operate garages at Chicago venues.

Chicago Department of Aviation

City Agency

Says no impact to traveling public at O'Hare

Operates O'Hare and Midway airports.

McCormick Place

Convention center

Events continue as planned; parking garages operating as usual

Chicago convention center served by public transit and parking garages.

Hyatt Regency

Hotel

Did not immediately comment

Downtown Chicago hotel and one of the initial strike locations.

Timeline

October 2026 November 2026

5 events Latest: Yesterday

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Strike begins at three locations
Latest Strike

Parking attendants form picket lines at O'Hare, McCormick Place and Hyatt Regency.
Yesterday • 5:30 a.m.
O'Hare and McCormick say operations normal
Statement

Chicago Department of Aviation and McCormick Place say parking operations continue normally.
Yesterday
Union accuses operators of bad-faith bargaining
Labor complaint

Teamsters say operators refused to bargain, retaliated and made unilateral changes.
Yesterday
Operators defend contract offer
Statement

Chicago Parking Association says five-year offer includes 27% wage and benefit increase.
Yesterday
October 2026
Contract expires; strike authorized
Labor

Teamsters Local 727 contract with Chicago Parking Association expires; 98% of voting members authorize strike.
5 days ago

Scenarios

Strike ends with ratified contract

Possible Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Teamsters Local 727 and Chicago Parking Association statements reported by Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune

The union and parking operators return to bargaining and reach a deal that members ratify. The operators' 27% five-year offer is the starting point, but the union says the dispute includes unfair labor practice charges and rising benefit costs.

Strike expands to Navy Pier and other garages

Possible Resolves by Nov 30, 2026

Discussed by: Teamsters Local 727 statements reported by Chicago Sun-Times

The union has said the picket could expand to other parking garages, including Navy Pier. Expansion would raise pressure on operators and test whether other venues can keep parking open.

O'Hare parking disruptions hit holiday travel

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2026

Discussed by: Chicago Department of Aviation statements and local coverage

If the strike lasts and pickets expand, O'Hare parking operations could face delays or closures. The aviation department says it will communicate any interruptions on social media.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

July 2010

Hyatt O'Hare hotel workers strike (2010)

Union contracts covering Hyatt O'Hare workers and about 8,000 other Chicago-area hotel workers expired in August 2009. In July 2010, hundreds of Hyatt O'Hare workers voted 92% to authorize a strike and joined a citywide hotel labor dispute.

Then

Hyatt O'Hare workers went on strike as part of demonstrations against Hyatt.

Now

The action was part of a broader Hyatt labor campaign across North America.

Why this matters now

Shows a Chicago hospitality strike where contract expiration and a high authorization vote preceded picket lines.

August 1981

Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization strike (1981)

In August 1981, U.S. air traffic controllers struck illegally after contract talks failed. President Ronald Reagan ordered them back to work and fired those who refused.

Then

Reagan fired the striking controllers and decertified their union.

Now

The episode became a reference point for employer resistance to strikes at transportation hubs.

Why this matters now

Shows how a strike at a transport hub can become a test of whether operations continue without striking workers.