The city’s two largest parking operators say their lots and garages will remain open this weekend even if there is a strike by the union representing hundreds of attendants.
Alco Parking Corp., the city’s largest private parking operator, and the city’s Parking Authority plan to staff their facilities with administrators and managers and possibly temporary workers should members of Teamsters Local 926 walk off the job.
“I can’t emphasize this enough — no matter what happens, we will continue to operate. No facilities will be shut down,” Alco Parking Corp. President Merrill Stabile said.
Union members overwhelmingly authorized a strike almost two weeks ago in a dispute over wages, health benefits and work rule changes, and could walk out at any time.
There has been much speculation that a strike could happen tomorrow with a Pirates game scheduled for early afternoon and a sell-out crowd expected at Heinz Field for the Pitt-Notre Dame football game in the evening.
Marc Dreves, union business representative, said he could not confirm or deny that a strike would take place tomorrow, but added that no progress had been made in reaching agreements.
“At this point, it doesn’t look very hopeful,” he said.
A walkout would involve many of the garages Downtown, the lots between the stadiums on the North Shore, and parking at Pittsburgh International Airport.
This means major potential headaches in the lots. Cars trying to sneak into lots, long lines to get in with fumbling replacements, general mayhem.
