Warm Feelings and Cold Facts: We Deserve Paid Sick Leave!

I think it's great when the CTA's top boss visits with the CTA workers. 

Telling us we are appreciated and sharing snacks and trinkets with a smile leaves a warm feeling in our hearts.

But we are punished when we get sick and cannot go to work—even when we don't get paid for it. 

As a union representative, I bear witness to the cold-hearted fact that most of our writeups and terminations would never exist if we had the bare minimum required in the Chicago and State of Illinois Paid Sick Leave Laws.

And no, the Short-Term Disability (so-called 7-Day Sick Pay) is NOT anything comparable or superior to these laws. 

It is as different as oil is to water.

Regardless, thank you for the kind words, President Leerhsen. Thank you for the trinkets. 

However, if you truly appreciate us, give us what is lawfully due to us. We deserve it.