As Ald. Freddrenna Lyle (6th Ward) predicted on WTTW Monday evening, the Chicago City Council today kicked a redevelopment agreement approving a South Side Wal-Mart store from the Rules Committee to the Finance Committee, effectively delaying final action on the measure until this fall.  Talking to reporters, Finance chairman Ed Burke (14th Ward) made clear that he wants to see the mega-retailer get behind the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) before being allowed to expand in Chicago.  From the Sun-Times [emphasis added]:

Burke also left little doubt about where he stands: with organized labor and against Wal-Mart.

"Chicago is a strong union town. If every other organization can agree to card check neutrality [making it easier to unionize], why can't Wal-Mart? They can build 14 stores here. All they have to do is make a commitment to the rights of working men and women in Chicago to organize," Burke said.

The alderman said he understands the argument that any job is better than no job. But, he said, "If Wal-Mart can come in to Chicago and operate on a non-union basis, then how can Jewel and Dominicks and the other food chains continue to have union men and women?"

Burke is a strong Daley ally, so his stated position gives us a real sense of where the mayor currently stands. And it's refreshing to hear.  After all, Wal-Mart is one of the largest and most powerful corporate opponents of EFCA, which would curb employers' ability to intimidate or fire workers that seek to organize.  The bill has lately been plodding along in D.C., with various compromise versions being discussed. 

It's good to see officials like Burke using this local battle as a point of leverage on such a crucial federal issue.  We'll have to wait and see what effect it has.