With the Chicago City Council's Zoning Committee scheduled to vote next week on a Walmart-anchored development proposed in the Pullman neighborhood, the mega-retailer is considering holding an unprecedented meeting with officials from the Chicago Federation of Labor and Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers. The Sun-Times reports that while Wal-Mart still refuses to negotiate wage levels, it may sign a community benefits agreement guaranteeing that five new Chicago stores would be built by union workers and that neighborhood residents would be hired to work in those stores.

UPDATE (4:02 p.m.): Here's a statement from UFCW Local 881 President Ronald Powell, who says Walmart has not yet agreed to meet with his union:

"Despite media reports today, Walmart has not met nor committed to meet with Local 881 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and the Chicago Federation of Labor to discuss anything.  In fact, Walmart management has repeatedly been quoted as saying they will not negotiate wages or benefits with anyone.  While we have requested that such a meeting take place, Walmart has previously stated it was not interested.

"Local 881 UFCW believes that before Walmart, and other big box retailers, are given the approval to expand further within Chicago's city limits that a set of enforceable standards must be established that ensure living wages, comprehensive and affordable health benefits, workplace rights and working conditions for workers.  We believe that Walmart should build 100 percent union and hire people from the community; however, that is not enough.  In addition to standards, a process of accountability must be established as well.