Los Angeles Electricians Wish Local 134 Electricians the Best

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-biz-mcpier-electricians-sep23,0,1837746.story

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority told 100 electricians Wednesday that their services would no longer be needed at the trade shows and meetings held at McCormick Place and Navy Pier.

The reduction in force is part of restructuring that will also boost the number of floor supervisors and foremen who work for the authority, commonly known as McPier, by two-thirds to a pool of 50 workers.

The moves reflect the heightened pressure the global economic downturn has placed on the convention and hospitality industry. Most companies have restricted travel spending, causing shows to decrease in size.

"We're in a much more competitive environment than we have ever been," said David Causton, general manager for McCormick Place.

He said the maneuvers should improve customer service by placing a larger number of McPier's most-skilled electricians in closer proximity to exhibitors.

McPier will assign one foreman per 50,000 square feet of exhibit floor space, down from the previous ratio of one supervisor per 85,000 square feet.

But the reorganization won't provide immediate cost-savings, Causton acknowledged. McPier's electricians, who help exhibitors create their often complex displays on the show floor, are contract workers who are paid an hourly wage.

The journeymen electricians who are no longer employed by McPier will report back to the union hall of Local 134 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers where they will be assigned other work.

McPier will hire electricians from the union hall as needed, gradually building back up its pool of workers, Causton said.

jjohnsson@tribune.com

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