Chicago cabdrivers go out on strike

Unions representing 3,300 commission and lease drivers for Checker and Yellow taxi companies went on strike when contract negotiations reached an impasse, union officials said.

Cabdrivers have been working without a contract for a week, a spokesman said. A meeting between union leaders and company officials was scheduled, but union spokesmen were unsure if it would take place. About 1,000 independent cabdrivers plan to work despite the strike.

The strike appeared to have litte effect on Chicago's morning rush hour commuters, o bservers said.