Rail and Bus "Apprentices" KNOW Your Rights!

Credit: Art Explosion

As a worker and union steward in the Rail Maintenance department, I notice that quite a few Second Chance Rail Car Servicers are asked to do dangerous work that higher-wage Servicers are supposed to be doing. It may be happening on the Bus Maintenance side too.

You may wonder, what should you do when a manager/coordinator asks or instructs you to do anything beside cleaning rail cars on station platforms (as outlined in the Contract)? 

Respectfully tell him or her the following:

"I am sorry, but Attachment O of our Contract limits my work to cleaning the interior of rail cars at stations. Can you please assign me work as per the Contract?"

You can do this with ANY part of your Contract—and you cannot be punished for mentioning it. It is best to talk with a manager with a coworker who is not on duty, a Union Steward or other Union Officer. Always have a witness. Always remain professional and calm.

If the manager/coordinator gives you trouble about it, see me, or any union steward or officer available. Look for the maintenance officers or stewards for Local 308 or Local 241.

If the assignment involves working in the rail yard, cleaning rail cars (which requires toxic soap) or picking up trash on tracks, you are doing the job of full-time Servicers and Janitors. 

 

Not only is this very dangerous work that could get you written up if something wrong happens, it also hurts the job protections for coworkers in the Union. 

 

It is bad enough you are compensated so horribly through this awful Agreement between our union and our employer. We really do not want managers thinking they can get away with making you do this kind of work at low wages. You need to be made Full-Time. We must demand our union leadership help us fight for #FullTimeJobsForAll ! 

 

For Local 241 Second Chance workers, you also are limited to specific duties. Please know your rights. It can save your life!

 

Below is the actual Attachment O and N of the Contract Rail and Bus "Apprentices" should know about:

Local 308 Second Chance Pro... by Chicago Transit Justice Coa...

 

Attachment N for Bus "Apprentices" is below:

 

Local 241 Second Chance Pro... by Chicago Transit Justice Coa...