Spring 2025 Shop Worker Pick

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.