Hospitality Parking Services Employee Arrested After Wielding Knife in Public
Man Brandishes Weapon, Disrupts Union's Handbilling Campaign
CHICAGO, Aug. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A Hospitality Parking Services, Inc. employee is facing charges after wielding a knife in public as Teamsters Local 727 members and representatives distributed handbills in front of The Wit hotel in downtown Chicago on Aug. 1.
According to witnesses, the Hospitality Parking Services, Inc. employee emerged from the hotel about 3 p.m., holding the knife in front of him as he walked. He used the knife to slice through two thick bungee cords that were holding a Local 727 banner, which was hanging on public property. He then walked back inside, still holding the knife in plain sight. Police later arrested the man, and a court date has been set for Sept. 7.
"He had a weapon out in broad daylight, which posed a threat to people on the street just passing by, in addition to our members and representatives," said John Coli Jr., President of Local 727. "It's unclear exactly who, if anyone, put him up to this, but it was clear that he wanted to intimidate and threaten us and others concerned about below-area standards wages and benefits. The police responded quickly and handled the situation swiftly, so the union was able to continue its peaceful handbilling campaign."
Teamsters Local 727 launched a handbilling campaign this month to alert the public of Hospitality Parking Services, Inc.'s poor practices as a valet employer. The company gives its workers wages and benefits below the area standards for the industry.
The employee in question has since returned to work for Hospitality Parking Services, Inc.
"The company isn't taking this violent behavior seriously. They immediately put someone back to work who is a danger to the public," Coli said. "This is just another example of how Hospitality Parking Services is hurting Chicago's parking industry."
Teamsters Local 727 represents more than 3,000 parking industry workers, including about 600 valets, in the Chicago area.
SOURCE Teamsters Local 727
Share this article