Message To The Managers

As a Local 308 union steward, I prefer to avoid writing reports, complaints, grievances and unfair labor practice charges about Collective Bargaining Agreement violations against the CTA.

I volunteer myself to coworkers and have full-time responsibilities to safely inspect and repair trains. I also have a life outside of work. So my time is very, very limited.

When a union member approaches me with a problem they have about something you are doing or saying, we make a plan of action and I take them in the office with me to talk with you. If you are unavailable, I may send an email message (and carbon copy it to the member).

Unlike some other union stewards and officers you may have known, I don't talk with you about the cases without the member being present.

Having lunch, back-slapping, horse-trading and secret meetings among union people and managers is a corrupt practice of Business Unionists in which I refuse to dabble. I am a Revolutionary Unionist. I accept no favors. I only want justice and dignity for my coworkers.

I will respectfully inform you of the problem and strive to solve the problem with you and the member. Despite my infamous reputation, I am actually a reasonable man!

However, I keep meticulous records and can be a relentless opponent! 

In my life before the CTA, I ran a business through two recessions for 18 years (now my son runs it). I can tell you what software version was updated on which computer when and retrieve projects from one of thousands of clients in minutes. I carried these habits into my role in ATU Local 308.

So if you want to give us a hard time, deflect responsibility, berate or threaten us with writeups, assault or murder, I will disengage immediately without fanfare and swiftly initiate the "paper trail" process.

If that fails to remedy the problem—and depending on the members' desires—You can expect us to organize legal, off-the-clock, concerted activity on shared public property like this: