Teamsters Local 525 Warns of Possible Strike in 15 days Amid Alton Contract Dispute
The union says Alton public works employees have been without a contract since March and cites wage, health insurance and benefits disputes.
ALTON — Teamsters Local 525, representing the dedicated members of the City of Alton Public Works Department, announced on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, that its members are prepared to initiate a lawful strike in 15 days following months of prolonged stall tactics, bad-faith bargaining, and a lack of meaningful negotiation from city leadership.
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Despite repeated attempts by the union to negotiate fair, competitive wages and address critical workplace concerns, the City of Alton has consistently delayed proceedings, leaving the public works workforce without a contract since March of this year.
Key Issues Driving the Impasse:
· Stall Tactics & Bargaining Delays: Union representatives have faced persistent scheduling delays and inaction from city administration, stalling progress on basic contract resolutions.
· Unfair Wages & Health Insurance: Frontline public works employees continue to receive compensation below comparable regional municipal standards, despite rising living costs and expanding duties, as well as issues with City-provided health insurance.
· Contractual benefits: The City of Alton administration has taken away contractual benefits such as comp-time during the negotiations.
Protecting Essential Services: Public Works members maintain Alton’s roads and public infrastructure. Union leadership stresses that a strike is a last resort to secure standard worker protections and fair treatment.
"Our members take immense pride in keeping the City of Alton clean, functional, and safe every single day," said Teamsters Local 525 Business Agent Jay Steinhauer. "A strike is always our last choice, but the City's refusal to sit down and negotiate in good faith leaves us no option. If the administration continues to stall instead of meeting us at the bargaining table with fair terms, public works operations will come to a halt in 15 days."
The 15-day window provides the City of Alton an opportunity to avert a work stoppage by resuming productive, good-faith negotiations before picketing and labor actions commence.
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