Today, 56 car dealerships around the Chicagoland area are without mechanics. These dealerships are affiliated with the New Car Dealership Committee (NCDC) and their workers voted nearly unanimously against the NCDC’s contract proposal. According to mech701.org/, a resounding 97% of those in attendance voted against the NCDC’s proposal. Those who voted then conducted a strike vote; 99% voted in favor of striking beginning on August 2nd.

This is also true of dealerships in west suburban Downers Grove, including Bill Kay Nissan, Packey Webb Ford, and Pugi Hyundai, among others. The mechanics are “forced to the streets” as a way to demonstrate their opposition to the NCDC contract. They are fighting for benefits, lowered insurance rates, among other issues brought up in the contract.

According to Jay Salinas, the last strike against the NCDC occurred in 2017. That information is confirmed by a Cook County Chronicle article posted in August of the same year. That strike lasted almost two months — 8 weeks. The demonstration ended in mid-September of 2017.

As far as this strike goes, there is no estimate on how long the mechanics will be on the picket line. According to the IAMAW 701 website, they communicated to the NCDC that “this will not fly; the members will strike.” The union held true to its promise, with workers from over 50 dealerships across the Chicagoland area on strike beginning today.

This is the first day of a possibly months-long battle with the New Car Dealership Committee. Updates, along with a list of all participating dealerships can be found at mech701.org. 

Photos/content in this article may not be used without express written consent from Greg Kozlick.