CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge in Chicago has delivered a blow to a state measure meant to help revive Chicago's struggling convention sector.
Judge Ronald Guzman in Chicago ruled the National
Labor Relations Act bars lawmakers from mandating certain reforms at the city's
convention center, McCormick Place.
Teamsters Local 727 and the Chicago Regional
Council of Carpenters challenged the law. Both welcomed Thursday's ruling that
says a state can't adopt rules that interfere with the collective-bargaining
process.
One rule tossed gave exhibitors the right to do
much of their work setting up and dismantling convention booths rather than
having to use union workers.
The official who runs McCormick Place, Jim Reilly,
says the new rules had restored the center as "an industry
powerhouse." He says an appeal will be filed.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
