In 1929, several laborers working for the City of Chicago in the Water Distribution Division started a men’s social club (“The Civil Service Club”) to discuss low wages, safety concerns and most importantly, determine ways to achieve civil service status. At the time, they were day laborers and achieving civil service status was their goal and remained just a goal for many years. In an era when workers were forming Unions all around the United States, the Civil Service Club soon became part of the International Hod Carriers Union, and in 1937 was re-chartered as Water Pipe Extension, Bureau of Engineering Laborers’ Local Union 1092. Local 1092 was recognized by the City of Chicago as the representatives for laborers in several different City departments, the Water Department being the largest.

In 1983, after the State of Illinois established collective bargaining rights for our members, Local 1092 negotiated the first written contract. Through the years, the Local has had many arbitrations, Labor Board cases, and settlement agreements which have led to one of the best collective bargaining agreements in the public sector.

Today, Local 1092 has a membership that is almost exclusively public sector employees. The majority of our membership is comprised of City of Chicago employees with around 95% of those being prevailing wage rate construction laborers. We also represent laborers employed by the Cook County, The Chicago Park District, The Town of Cicero, and the Office of the Secretary of State of Illinois in its Chicago area facilities. Local 1092 is a proud member of the City Coalition where we join with our brothers and sisters from the Chicago Building Trades to serve and represent all Union members in the Chicago area. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​ Local 1092 is an affiliate of LIUNA—the Laborers’ International Union of North America—the most progressive, aggressive and fastest-growing union of construction workers, and one of the most diverse and effective unions representing public service employees. LIUNA members are united through collective bargaining agreements which help us earn family-supporting pay, good benefits and the opportunity for advancement and better lives.