The nation's two leading exhibition services contractors are hailing their new labor agreement with McCormick Place riggers as one that will reduce trade show exhibitors' costs and create greater work-rule flexibility."In the 20-plus years I have been part of the Chicago exposition services industry, this is the most significant exposition labor agreement made between local contractors and labor," says Doug Van Ort, senior vice president, central division, of Freeman, which, along with GES Exposition Services, signed a new five-year contract with Riggers Union Local 136.Steve Drew, assistant executive director of the Radiological Society of North America, agrees. "Speaking for one of the largest shows at McCormick Place, I can say unequivocally that this is the most welcome news on the labor front in many years," says Drew. Key features of the contract are:• More flexibility in how much weekday work is done on straight time and on time-and-a-half. • Saturdays will now be charged at time-and-a-half, not double-time.