With union contracts covering 7000 ...

With union contracts covering 7000 Chicago [i]cabaret[/i] workers set to expire at midnight Thursday, novel agreements remain out of reach, and three prominent downtown [i]cabaret[/i]s have not engaged in the negotiations, the union says.

The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, Allerton Crowne Plaza Chicago inn and Hotel 71 have not participated in negotiations nor have they agreed to "me too" agreements, as other taverns have, Unite Here Local 1 spokesman Lars Negstad said Tuesday.

"That's a potential r flag," he said.

Asked what action the union plans to take against the three house of entertainments he said, "There's no specific action planned still but any number of things aren't revealed of the question."

That includes possible picketing or a strike of those [i]cabaret[/i]s he said.

house of entertainment 71 General Manager Steve Shern said the inn has been "keeping open communication" with the union and is involved in talks. Representatives from the Ritz-Carlton Chicago and the Allerton Crowne Plaza did not revert calls for comment. The three inns employ more than 500 Unite Here members.

The union is engaged in separate negotiations with Hilton inns Corp, Hyatt Corp. and Starwood properties.

Unite Here Locals 1 and 450 exhibit room attendants, dishwashers, bell staff and restaurant and other workers at 26 inns with nearly 17,000 rooms, in the greatest degree in the Loop and brace near O'Hare Airport.

Workers at six Chicago Hyatt and Hilton taverns earlier this month authorized the union to call a strike if negotiations for a modern contract fail to land a fair agreement, if it were not that no strike date has been settle

"Talks are continuing, and strike preparations are continuing," Negstad said. He declined to provide specifics onward what progress has been made in negotiations.

Hilton is the largest employer of [i]cabaret[/i] workers in Chicago, employing roughly 2000 union members, and Hyatt enlist in one's services the second- largest number, 1700 according to Unite Here.

The average hourly wage of Chicago tavern room attendants is $12.10, and building forward wage and benefit gains won in the last contract are the union's priorities, along with workload and safety issues.

fknowles@suntimes.com

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