ATU Chicago/CTA Contract Update (2021-12-31)

As many of you know, neither Local 308 President Dixon or our Secretary-Treasurer will communicate with me outside of the membership meeting. That is fine. Charges are being piled up for their outrageous behavior during this critical time. 

The same goes for Local 241 President Keith Hill, and his childish refusals to let me and other Local 308 members sit in on membership meetings (allowable as per Section 21.12 of the ATU Constitution). 

These elected people will not be able to get away with running our union like it is their private fan club forever.

However, it seems the only adults in the room at 112th and Western are our vice presidents. Yesterday, I sent Brother Vice President Mark the following email message (with a sentence removed that has to do with specific actions that members plan to motion for at the Jan. 11th meeting):

Greetings Brother Mark:

I hope all is well.  

I am getting alot of messages and questions about the Contract negotiations so far. I really don’t have anything to share except rumors and they are not good. 

One rumor is that Local 241 is going to get new bus operators hired on as FTP, but they won’t pay into the pension for three years. Is this same thing being planned for any of our 308 jobs?

On a side note, as you probably know we are getting sick with Covid-19 and Covid-19 like symptoms. There is no incentive to quarantine if exposed to ill family/coworkers and this exacerbates infections. 

Are you engaged in any discussion about paying workers to quarantine and/or care for sick children? 

Maybe we need to organize for action to make this happen. 

Can you please reply with any information so I can share it with the members and on my blog?

He promptly responded the next day:

Happy Holidays Brother Basir,

I pray your family and you are safe and healthy. I really appreciate you asking direct questions because rumors are just that, normally half truths or just flat out misinformation.

Our priorities for our CSAs are as follow;

1. Increase the number of full time CSRs
2. For the CSAs we can’t get turned over, we are fighting for language that would allow them to pick up to 40 hours if they want to. That new language along with 101.5% pay increase will take the current medium CSA salary from $24,000 to $42,000. That’s a 44% gross pay increase into their households.
3. Actual Benefit paid time off
4. Pick vacation
5. Language that closes the loop that allows CTA to hire other individuals for full time position and pass up on our CSAs. This language will make CTA go to all CSAs first, when there is other available full time jobs available in 308.

As far as the Covid related question CTA states they are currently following the CDC guideline, which seem to change daily with no rhyme or reason in my opinion. Their top officers and general counsel have been out the office for the holidays. They are scheduled to return January 3^rd and I will schedule a round table about the surging Covid issues, Sick/quarantine pay.

So there you have some reliable information. I thank and commend Brother Mark for indulging me—and doing so like the professional I expect from our employees at the union office. Now how we follow-up is another story. 

Some issues I have with the contents:

The priorities of Brother Mark and others (The Negotiating Team) should be our priorities. No separation. No distinction. That is, the members must be included in the debate of, formation and presentation of proposals—and be active agents on our behalf at the membership meetings.

We need to fight for #FullTimeJobsForAll and back negotiations with persistent public action, civil disobedience and more free access to information. We must give no quarter on the part time jobs: They are killing morale, killing the union and killing the pension.

Regarding the infections, we need to organize and take initiative to save lives. Whenever our officers are meeting with CTA officers, members must be present and part of whatever is decided. But talking is not enough. Action is mandatory.

Please share this important information with everyone. If you have questions, post in the comments. Or contact Brother Mark directly. Just be sure to share what you learn!

Also, please show up at the charter membership meetings this month. Bring your questions and motions for action. Local 308 is on January 11th at 6:30 pm. Local 241 is on January 4th at 10:00 am.