While Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s fights with the Chicago Teachers Union and Fraternal Order of Police have drawn significant public attention and helped define her tenure, she has quietly built a strong relationship with some labor leaders.
Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, speaks alongside Mayor Lori Lightfoot as they celebrate the passage of the Bally's casino deal through City Council on May 25, 2022 at City Hall.
Texts between the two reveal plenty of behind-the-scenes battles. Reiter acknowledged their occasional conflicts but summarized his relationship with the mayor as one between two honest brokers who respect each other despite their differences. Nikki Hayes, former president of the LiUNA Local 1001 chapter, which represents city workers, recently donated $1,000 to Lightfoot’s re-election campaign and in an interview said the mayor has “always supported labor.”Lightfoot did not address Tribune questions about her relationship with Reiter or other union leaders but released a statement touting her personal labor roots.
Throughout the summer of 2019, Reiter and Lightfoot worked closely on the fair workweek, in particular. When hospitals began pressuring aldermen to use a parliamentary tactic to delay the bill, Lightfoot texted Reiter that she was “personally pissed” and “told my team to tell those folks in no uncertain terms that we will take a very dim view of any effort.
“I spoke to Joanna after the two of you talked,” Lightfoot texted. “I understand better your intent, but the oversight remains problematic. Nonetheless, I should have called first and given you the benefit of the doubt.”Sign up for The Spin to get the top stories in politics delivered to your inbox weekdays.
Just months into Lightfoot’s term, the union held a rally with Bernie Sanders ahead of its walkout vote where Reiter declared, “If it’s time to strike, then f------ strike!”Southwest Side. Ald. Matt O’Shea, 19th, texted Lightfoot the next morning: “Has Bob Reiter offered his help or been a part of the negotiations with the CTU? ...
“Hey, if we get this done today, I think it is really important that Jesse and I stand together,” Lightfoot said. “I know that is a tough ask for him because of the politics on his side, but this is important for the city.”Hours later, the talks appeared on the verge of falling through and Lightfoot sent Reiter a more pessimistic note.
“Well, I am not surprised you see it that way,” Lightfoot responded. “These folks have not been good actors and I was willing to swallow a lot but the constant moving targets, and never being able to rely on their is an impossible place to be.”Advertisement
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