Spring 2025 Shop Worker Pick

UPDATE (5/2/2025): I received the final Pick dates from an anonymous source in-writing today. Our Section Pick will go into effect June 15, 2025. Leader/Motor Blower/Tech picking date: May 19; Servicers picking date: May 20; Repairers picking date: May 28/29. Although I still need a confirmation I am almost certain this is fact. See the 4/16 update below to review jobs and seniority. 

UPDATE (5/1/2025): I sent the following email to President Pennie and am awaiting a response: Greetings President Pennie: I hope all is well. As discussed in our Pick Meeting, we should have had the Pick this week. As I know CTA mismanage-ment has no respect for the Contract or our  Pick, coworkers are getting anxious that we won't have a Pick. Do you have any facts I can share with them? Her response: Good afternoon nothing at this time to share.

UPDATE (4/16/2025): Today I received updated Pick sheets from President Pennie from CTA management. Still no effective date shared. These are the second draft. I have had no time to review them as I wanted you all to have them right away. The original filenames now correctly read Section (not System). Use these links: [SERVICERS] [REPAIRERS/LEADER/MOTOR BLOWERS] and submit feedback using this form. If you want to compare to the first draft, see the 4/9 update below.

UPDATE (4/10/2025): The Pick meeting was slightly contentious. Fortunately, President Pennie supported my insistence that GM Teya respect Article 14.4 to change her Pick draft from System to Section. I failed to stop the Force of Leader/Tech. President Pennie wouldn't let me share Car Servicer concerns, but I did squeeze in one. Brother Lamont was present and emphasized we need less letters and management needs to respect what we pick—instead of treating us like at-will employees. Frankly, the attitude by her was hostile and she will not go along with our wishes without us organizing to back those wishes with action. We were told that a revised Pick sheets should be sent out to us by next week. No Pick effective date was confirmed other than possibly May. Frankly, until we actually are in the Pick process, I wouldn’t even believe any date. This Pick was already delayed and my insistence on making it a Section Pick—as per Article 14.4–caused an additional delay.

UPDATE (4/9/2025): Confirmation of correct Pick Meeting information (Zoom) from General Manager Teya was forwarded to my email address. Friday April 11th at 2pm. So I need EVERYONE to please review them no later than April 10th: [SERVICERS] [REPAIRERS/LEADER/MOTOR BLOWERS] and submit feedback using this form.

UPDATE (4/8/2025): I received an email message from President Pennie with a Zoom link and subject for Pick Meeting. But there was no date or time on it. I replied to request that information.

UPDATE (4/7/2025): While at the Executive Board Meeting today, President Pennie heard my complaint about the Pick needing to be a Section Pick. She did not give me any response. She is extremely rude. Also, she wouldn't give me any idea for when we will have a Pick Meeting.

UPDATE (4/5/2025): I wanted to share some important facts based on the pick information I posted on 4/2/2025. As of March 5, there are 227 Rail Car Repairers, 179 Rail Car Servicers and 9 Motor Blowers. 

UPDATE (4/2/2025): Pick Sheet and Seniority drafts were sent to me from President Pennie this morning. Please review them [SERVICERS] [REPAIRERS/LEADER/MOTOR BLOWERS] and submit feedback using this form. We are being told this is a System Pick. That is against the Contract. We are supposed to have Section-Section-System in that order according to Article 14.4 (a), (b). Also we are being told that nothing changed. Still I want you all to carefully examine the Pick Sheets and give me feedback right away!

UPDATE (3/29/2025): It has been confirmed that Servicers on the Red Line have been shown Seniority Lists. Please keep sending me updates from your sections.

UPDATE (3/28/2025): Dear Leaders: CTA mismanagement's "FORCE" must be stopped before this Pick is rolled out. But we are going to need to hit them with persistent ACTION. Rescind that qualification NOW. IF you already did it, do it again! Fill out a Report to Manager and send a copy to my email address ericbasir.308@gmail.com. Simply write: The Leader [or Technician] Qualification is not mandatory for employment as a Rail Car Repairer. I wish to no longer be forced to pick it. 

UPDATE (3/27/2025): It has been confirmed that the Red Line Repairers are being shown Seniority Lists. It appears that my Class Action Grievance may have had an effect on this event (see below).

It's time for a new Pick. However—as usual—the lazy, law-breaking, union-busing CTA mismanagement is late. I have gotten absolutely no cooperation for information from them nor our union president. 

Blame me if you want, but this problem existed before I ever worked at the CTA. No, I am not going to be diplomatic. These people break our Contract daily and have no respect for us. I am sick of it and so should you! 

Elect someone else if you don't like how I roll in this fight for our lives. I got to face myself in the mirror every day. So don't expect me to compromise my values to make you feel comfortable with chronic abuse from our employer.

I have sent two very polite emails to Manager Mota. Both of which were CC'd to our union presidents. I also brought it up in our union Executive Board meetings and President Pennie said she would "talk to management." 

I don't believe her at all. If she did talk to "management," she probably made a secret deal with them to accommodate their needs. If I win president, this kind of crap will not occur without consequences.

See the February email below. The survey I mention is accessible at this link. 

 

 

See the March email…

I have gotten no response. I am very annoyed—as are many of you. 

So effective March 24, 2025, here is my class action grievance (0325-32)…

I will post updates on the pick at the top of this article as I have done previously.