By WMBD TV
MCLEAN COUNTY – Candidates in several high-profile McLean County elections were subject to a litany of questions from the public and local labor union members Monday night as election day approaches.
A “Candidates Night” was held at Laborers Local 362 Hall in Bloomington, and candidates were asked about their support for labor unions and what they would do to advocate for unions if elected.
Those candidates included the three running for mayor in Bloomington, which are incumbent Mboka Mwilambwe, Ward 6 City Councilman Cody Hendricks, and former State Rep. Dan Brady.
The three running for Normal mayor were also represented, which are incumbent Chris Koos, and council members Chemberly Harris and Kathleen Lorenz.
Questions centered around project labor agreements, which are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements that establish the terms and conditions of a specific construction project.
Oftentimes, these agreements incentivize the workers to be from local labor unions instead of being contracted out to other cities.
Mike Raikes is the president of the Livingston and McLean Counties Buildings and Construction Trades Council, along with being the business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 197.
He said that local politics has a massive effect on labor unions.
“They (elected officials) vote on infrastructure projects and they can give incentives to hire local labor, and it has a direct impact on union members’ lives,” he said.
The consolidated election is set for April 1.
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