April 22--Brookfield Zoo and its workers' union reached a tentative agreement Thursday on a new five-year contract that had raised debate over how to pay for a big jump in health care costs.
"We are very pleased that we were able to reach agreement and hope the union members will vote in favor of the new contract," said Sandi Dornhecker, vice president of human resources for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo. "Both sides made significant movement in their positions and worked hard in an effort to reach middle ground."
The contract affects 216 current employees, including zookeepers, groundskeepers, craftsmen, janitorial staff and police officers represented by Teamsters Local 727.
Teamsters Local 727 was not immediately available to comment but confirmed the agreement.
The workers' previous four-year contract expired Dec. 31 but was extended to end of day Monday as the parties couldn't resolve how to pay for health care cost increases that at one point totaled $6.5 million. It was extended again to allow for the Thursday meeting.
The union had said that in the event of a strike, it had provisions in place to ensure the animals were cared for.
aelejalderuiz@tribpub.com
