Petition: CTA Workers Demand Paid Sick Leave!

SIGN THE PETITION HERE…

I am an elected Amalgamated Transit Union representative for CTA workers. Each month I am privileged to review dozens of grievances and complaints regarding our working conditions.

The majority of terminations and writeups we suffer would have never happened if we had Paid Sick Leave.

This is evidence that the lack of such a human right is a primary cause of unreliable service. The CTA mismanagement boasts about Meeting The Moment and making pretty Employee Appreciation photo ops. However, when it comes to the root of the problem—poor working conditions—they are oblivious.

It's not hard to solve this problem if our employer—and our union presidents—would abide by any of the following laws:

Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick Ordinance

Cook County Paid Leave Ordinance

Illinois Paid Leave For All Workers Act

The CTA's argument is that we already have Paid Leave. It is known as the Seven-Day Sick Pay or "Sick Book." Technically, it is Paid Leave. However, by its function, it is actually Short Term Disability. We need such a benefit—which is useful for those who experience terrible accidents away from work or are recovering from surgery or cancer treatment. 

As opposed to our human rights described in the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick Ordinance, using the Seven-Day Sick Pay has the following hazards:

1. It is punitive. We are punished for Excessive Absenteeism on our records. Six such marks on our record will lead to termination. This is easy to rack up when you have worked less than a year (which makes you ineligible for Intermittent FMLA privileges)
   
   
2. The process is complicated and stressful. To avoid dealing with it, the majority of us without Intermittent FMLA privileges just show up at work sick or injured.
   
   
3. We do not receive pay unless we are off work 7 days plus the weekend. 
   
   
4. We cannot accumulate days.
   
   
5. It is not available for all ATU bargained for members. With the exception of CSA, Flagmen and PT Bus Operators—who get more inferior and complicated access compared to full-timers—there is nothing for Second Chancers.

Unfortunately, the CTA mismangement has taken control of our unions and convinced our presidents to sign waivers to our human rights regarding Paid Sick Leave. 

Their position is that we must give up Seven-Day Sick Pay in order to have Paid Sick Leave. That is immoral. That must stop.

If we are going to get anything close to providing reliable and safe public transportation in Chicago, the workers who maintain and operate the system must have—at minimum—Paid Sick Leave as mandated by the City of Chicago.

PLEASE support this effort by signing a Change.org petition I created: 

https://www.change.org/ctapaidsickleave