12/23/2023 Contract Proposal Meeting Report

The meeting was mainly just to get familiar with what every department is asking. 

 

The Union has its first negotiation meeting sometime in January, so the the officials are asking that all Repairers from each shop organize and bring THIS list down to the top 5 most important things that we want to bargain for and most importantly rank them.

Keep in mind a raise will be bargained for across all members as all departments asked for a 10-20% raise in the contract.

 

In my opinion Dual Rate and shift differential (10% for PM and 15% for MIDNIGHT) are most important and will allow us to pocket more money in the long run even if we don't get a large jump in a raise this contract. I also think a straight 8 hours with a paid lunch is in my personal top 3.

 

The union is also encouraging a 2-year Contract because it is the last two years CTA will be getting federal COVID funds therefore they have more in the pot to work with. 

 

A major point President Pennie McCoach and Vice President Mark Weems stressed is they are going to push to correct alot of language in the contract that allows CTA loopholes to get away with alot of what they do. Whether that's true or not we will have to see for ourselves. 

 

It is important that we all stay involved in some way. Only four Repairers showed up to the meeting and only about 16 out of almost a thousand Local 308 members in total. 

 

Every Shop should have a discussion with someone taking the lead and keeping a tally of votes of what should be most important for us. 

 

This is something to sleep on and discuss now!

—Brother Stevie Benitez is a CTA Rail Car Repairer (Mechanic)

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