Post-Ratification Questions & Answers

Many coworkers have been wondering about the vaccine mandate fallout, when we will receive our retroactive raises and other questions. Brother Mark Weems, the Local 308 Vice President has been a reliable source of information. I commend our brother for doing his job so well. The same goes for Sister Pennie McCoach, our Second Vice President.

Despite our strong disagreements and my criticism of all elected leaders, he does not let my unbecoming, renegade and outspoken reputation get in the way of doing his job. We must hold our elected leaders accountable—and commend them when they do right.

His responses are in italics.

When can we expect to receive ALL of our retrospective raises from 2020 through 1/1/2022? Will it be done piecemeal or in one lump sum?   

Wage rates will have to be adjusted to the current rate, taking all  raises to date (i.e. 1/1/21, 7/1/21 and 1/1/22) into account, before CTA can calculate the retro pay.  CTA has committed to paying the retro by end of March, so pay will be adjusted with all raises to date before the end of March.

 

When can we expect to receive the hero/hazard/bonus? Will it be done piecemeal or in one lump sum?   

March 25th.  This will be one payment, including retro pay and bonus.

 

When does the twice yearly picking rights commence for the Instructors, Shop and Track Departments?    

Effective upon ratification; so there will be two picks this year.

 

When can we expect the Wages and Working Conditions Agreement ("Contract") to be updated with the latest changes put in place by the ratified Tentative Agreement? Right now we have the 2019 one at the Local 308 website. We need to have something to refer to—especially pay schedules and benefits changes. (The Local 308 website has a downloadable PDF here: https://www.atu308.org/membership/forms-documents and The Chicago Transit Justice Coalition has a searchable online version here (no download required): http://bit.ly/2ZHXVNS) 

We are working on updating the Wages and Working Conditions Agreement (WWCA) now.  We will have more information on when the WWCA will be completed in the next few weeks. 

 

How many members have been discharged for the vaccine mandate?    

To date, sixteen Local 308 bargaining unit members have been discharged because of the mandate.

 

How many have been put out of service pending vaccination?    

I do not know the answer, but I will find out.  Do you want to know how many are out of service now?  Or how many were out of service and then reinstated after getting the shots?  Or both?

 

How many were granted exemptions? 

The CTA has told us that no religious or medical accommodations have been granted to date, but that there are pending applications.  We are continuing to follow up with them to find out the number of pending applications, the number denied, and the number they do grant.