Enforce The Contract: A Picked Job Is a Picked Job!

We must not tolerate when managers take us off of our picked jobs.

Let's say you picked Truck Shop Repairer for this Pick. Today, a bunch of Inspection crew members are absent. 

The manager assigns you to Truck One. However, there are a number "GB" Floor Repairers with higher seniority than you. They don't want Truck One. So you end up on Truck One.

This is a Contract violation (Same goes for other crafts in Local 308/241). The next lowest seniority "GB" must take it if none of the higher seniority "GB" want it. Specifically, for Rail Car Repairers, we have a four page Staffing Issues Agreement with the CTA that spells this out very clearly (see "Picked Job Vacancies" below to view on this blog).

If there are no "GB" Repairers, that is different. Then they might get away with assigning a picking Truck Shop Repairer. 

However, in my opinion, it is safer to cancel the inspection for the day. What happens if we need to replace a drawbar head that day? I suppose if you—personally—accept to do it, then you do it. However, this negatively effects the importance of picking rights (the Holy Grail of labor unions). Regardless, I am open to debating this issue. 

Regardless, it is critical that we, the CTA workers, enforce the Contract. It is not the responsibility of CTA management to enforce it. They should respect it. However, we all know that is not happening—and I do not expect it to happen. That is why I am sharing this with you. 

Many union misleaders and mismanagers say I have an agenda to misinform members. That is why I provide for you the sources—and encourage debate. Therefore, my agenda is clear and revolutionary: To help you take control of your job and union. Their agenda is to keep you ignorant of the Contract, do not fight CTA mismanagement and be conform to business unionism.

As usual, feel free to call me if you ever require assistance. I will always defend you and your rights—whether you like me or not.

ATU Local 308 Rail Car Repa... by Chicago Transit Justice Coa...