Chicago Puts Labor on Notice

In the Oct. 12 issue, I wrote a story, “Labor Shifts in Chicago Once Again,” about the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority’s decision to cut its workforce of 150 electricians to 50 at two venues it oversees, McCormick Place and Navy Pier.

Chicago has seen its share of labor dust-ups in the past few years, but what made this one different was that instead of changes made because of show manager and exhibitor concerns about overtime and crew sizes, among other issues, this time it was because of specific complaints from both groups about the lack of skills and the quality of customer service on the part of certain electricians.

Peter Eelman, who manages the AMT-Assn. for Manufacturing Technology’s Intl. Manufacturing Technology Show, ranked No. 4 on the 2009 Tradeshow Week 200, and Tom Shimala, who manages the Radiological Society of North America’s Scientific Study & Annual Meeting, ranked No. 37 on the same list, both said the move made by the MPEA to do something about the electricians was a good one.

Neither show manager wanted to discuss specific complaints, though Shimala did say he was concerned by not only the low marks electricians got on exhibitor post-show surveys, but also direct complaints he, too, heard from exhibitors.

Let’s face it: In this economy, no city can afford to lose a massive show like IMTS or RSNA because electricians are ruffling exhibitors’ feathers.

This is a buyer’s market, and show managers have every right to demand that their exhibitors, who often pay a pretty penny for labor, are getting quality service.

Other locales that have the space likely would be more than happy to accommodate any of the largest shows in the country.

To MPEA’s credit, it acted quickly and tackled the problem head on. Now, there will be a core pool of 50 handpicked foremen and an on-call workforce that will be replenished on a case-by-case basis only after the individual electricians pass successful evaluations.

In other words, they will have to demonstrate that they are qualified for the job they are getting paid for – and nice about it while they are at it.

Isn’t that a novel idea?