Teamsters Local 743 members at the University of Chicago Medical Center (UCMC) overwhelmingly rejected management’s final contract offer by a seven-to-one margin on Monday, August 6.

In a final tally held publicly at the Medical Center, 658 members voted to reject the offer. Only 88 workers voted to accept. Local 743 represents more than 1,200 members at the Medical Center, all of whom were welcome to vote by secret ballot from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday.

“The members have spoken, and the Local 743 negotiating committee now has its mandate,” said Donnie Von Moore, President of Local 743. “The members at the University of Chicago will continue to have their say for a fair and strong contract, and we must now return to the bargaining table to secure it.”

Von Moore continued, “It is our hope that the University will resume negotiations in good faith. In these continually tough economic times, Local 743 looks forward to the challenge to protect members’ rights and ensure an equitable agreement can be reached.”

Members working at the Medical Center are encouraged to visit TeamstersLocal743.com for updates in the near future on negotiations. All members will be informed of specific information sessions and bargaining dates as soon as such details become available.

Teamsters Local 743, an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, represents more than 11,000 hardworking men and women in warehouse, manufacturing, health care, clerical, mail-order and professional industries throughout Chicago.