Waiting to Exhale.

We first told you about the problems of air quality at the Public Works Service Center back in early January in our post Thar She Blows. At that time the Public Works employees were engaged in discussions with the City of Park Ridge for a new contract.

We hate to admit it, but the Crews' cynical selves thought that the efforts by IUOE Local 150 to address the air quality issue with the city were, at some level, part of their negotiating tactics. We believe the air quality issue is a serious matter for our city employees, but we thought that once the workers agreed to a contract, the matter would die and their union reps would go have a beer. So we weren't surprised when we read an article in the Herald-Advocate headlined, Budget constraints may delay fixing emissions fumes at Public Works.

In that article we read, "Availability of funds will determine if any projects are completed." And the PRU Crew thought...



If the Mayor, City Council, and then City Manager Tim Schuenke could find $400,000 dollars to give to Napleton for the environmental clean-up of their private property, then they can damn well find half that amount to clean up the environmental air quality at the Public Works Service Center to ensure the health and welfare of our own city employees.

The PRU Crew had planned to rip the union, Director of Public Works, Wayne Zingsheim, and our elected officials for their callous disregard for the health and welfare of the men and women they work with.

So now it is with great satisfaction that we report to you that at Monday night's City Council meeting the Local 150 representative, Steve Karpowitz, again raised the issue under the council's agenda section, "new business".

Mr. Karpowitz disseminated study material to the City Council members and, as detailed in an article in today's Journal & Topics, concluded his remarks by saying, "Local 150 is here to stand beside these employees...and make sure we have a good resolution."



And that, people, is exactly what a union is supposed to do -- stand beside their members and seek good resolutions to problems. Especially when those problems may pose short and long term risks to the physical health of union members.

We were disappointed in reports about Public Works Director Zingsheim's tepid efforts to offer a modest solution to the issue, and that he only did so after the union rep. raised the matter before the council.

Zing, you are now the guy in charge. This is your facility. These are your people. You work with them every day. You should be fighting harder on their behalf.

But today the PRU Crew offers PRUdos to the 5th Ward's Benedict Alderman Ryan. After discussion of the issue among City Council members at Monday night's meeting, it was Ald. Ryan who captured the bottom line by saying, "I don't think we can compromise the health of our employees."

Good thinking, Alderman Ryan.