Work - Chicago Sun-Times

The Shedd Aquarium will undergo a $500 million transformation beginning this summer and culminating with the Shedd’s 100th anniversary in 2030.

Work

In an open letter, staff cited work-life imbalance, financial struggles and lack of communication from management, among other grievances, as reasons for unionizing.

By Amy Yee

How to help reduce elder poverty? Keep Chicago seniors employed

By Amy Yee

Work

United flight attendants rally outside O'Hare, demanding better pay

Union members picketed at 17 airports worldwide, including O’Hare, a week after the Chicago-based airline reported that executives received large pay hikes.

By Amy Yee

Work

Janitors in SEIU Local 1 approve new three-year contract

The deal includes a 15% wage increase and improved health care and retirement benefits, the union said. It was ratified a day before the current contract expires.

By Kade Heather

Work

Union wave is picking up at Chicago, suburban libraries, cultural institutions

The Chicago Public Library and other systems have long had unions, but now the organizing is happening against a backdrop of unprecedented pressure on workers.

By Amy Yee

Work

Another Starbucks in Chicago wins union vote, becoming the 23rd location in Illinois to unionize

Twelve employees at the coffee shop on 58th Street and Western Avenue voted unanimously to join Starbucks Workers United, which represents about 10,000 Starbucks employees nationwide.

By Amy Yee

Work

Janitors union rallies in Loop for better pay as contract deadline looms

Hundreds of janitors who keep the city’s office buildings clean held a rally ahead of a possible strike vote on Saturday.

By Amy Yee

Money

Lyft holding out on thousands in payments to immigrant drivers, advocates say

The Illinois Independent Drivers Guild says there are about 40 drivers in the Chicago area with income, in some cases thousands of dollars, that has been withheld by Lyft over alleged tax paperwork issues.

By Violet Miller

Work

Women in Illinois make 80% of what men make, and advocates want to close the wage gap

The Equal Pay Chicago Coalition wants to educate workers and employers about gender pay disparities, hosting a virtual event on Equal Pay Day.

By Erica Thompson

Money

'Doom spending' takes hold among younger consumers

The stress of managing high living costs and food is leading some to cope by actually spending more, survey finds.

By Hector Cervantes | For the Sun-Times

Money

MCA becomes latest Chicago museum to form union

An open letter signed by 32 workers cited a number of concerns from overwork because of staff shortages to fair wages and stable benefits.

By Amy Yee

Uber, Lyft, And DoorDash Workers Strike For Better Pay On Valentine's Day

Money

Chicago Uber, Lyft drivers join Valentine's Day strike with thousands across country

Drivers complained of safety concerns, decreases in pay and having their rideshare accounts unfairly terminated or suspended.

By Phyllis Cha

Money

Flight attendants picket outside O'Hare, joining thousands at airports across the country

The flight attendants in Chicago protested the lack of contract negotiations and demanded better wages and working conditions, as part of the Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action.

By Phyllis Cha

Money

Walmart offering another perk for store managers — stock grants

Managers will receive up to $20,000 in Walmart stock grants every year. The moves follow an announcement made by the discounter earlier this month that it was raising the starting base pay for store managers, while redesigning its bonus plan.

By Matthew Perrone | AP

Bridgett Vance, a home-based daycare provider in Chatham, comforts a child.

Money

Illinois home-based child care providers often make minimum wage — or less

As more day care operators leave for better-paying jobs, families have fewer child care options, according to the union that represents 15,000 providers.

By Esther Yoon-Ji Kang

Customers enter a Walmart store in San Leandro, California.

Money

Walmart raises starting pay, redesigns bonuses for store managers

The moves come as the nation’s largest retailer and largest private employer aims to hand onto managers and show hourly workers there’s a path for upward mobility.

By Anne D’Innocenzio | AP

Da’necia Schaffer waits to receive her order at Sip & Savor’s South Loop location, during her lunch break.

Money

Illinois workers at private companies saw pay jump in December, report says

The state was on par with nationwide trends, where wage growth for “job-stayers” increased 5.4%, and the state’s median salary was just shy of the national median salary of $58,700.

By Mary Norkol

A “help wanted” sign is seen at an Allstate insurance office in Elgin in 2022.

Money

US job openings fell slightly in November but remain high by historical standards

Wednesday’s report, called the Jobs Openings and Labor Turnover Summary, reinforced other recent evidence that while the job market is slowing from its robust heights, it remains solid.

By Paul Wiseman | AP

Protesters hold up signs during a rally for workers announcing sexual harassment charges against manufacturing, warehousing, food service, janitorial, and restaurant employers outside the Illinois State Department building at 555 W Monroe St in the Loop, Tuesday, November 14, 2023. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times.

Chicago

Chicago area workers rally, file sexual harassment claims against employers

Workers in the manufacturing, warehousing, food service, janitorial and restaurant industries gathered to protest workplace harassment, including intimidation, degradation and identity-based targeting.

By Isabel Funk

Interns Jair and Jamel work with an instructor to learn IT techniques as part of the Opportunity Works program.

Education

Why some high school grads are skipping college, learning a trade

While some view college as the best route to financial stability, studies show career and technical degrees cost less and can produce a higher income.

By Kathleen Hayes