In an era when strikes are rare, the strike against the Congress Plaza in downtown Chicago by Local 1 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union is nearing its one-year anniversary. There were only 14 major strikes involving over 1,000 workers in the U.S. last year. Experts agree that the reduction is because workers fear losing their jobs if they strike as companies often react to strikes by closing facilities, firing strikers and hiring permanent replacements.
See "1-year hotel strike drags on - Both sides stand firm at Congress", Stephen Franklin, Chicago Tribune, June 13, 2004