Questions From Sister Mary

In this post I made on Facebook, a voluminous, but very thoughtful comment was added from CTA Customer Assistant, Sister Mary:

There was no way to respond neatly on Facebook—and make sure that members who are not on Facebook could not see the answers. Many are wondering about the same things. Below, I break down the comment and answer each part individually.

What is your proposal for better security and safer parking?

My proposal is to heavily enforce Article 1.1 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (the CTA must "provide the best possible working conditions"). Whatever I propose must be a member-based solution. Yes, I have ideas, but Local 308 is not the president's organization. That is, it is the job of the president to help the members solve their problems collectively. 

Additionally, the topic of safety is a wholistic one. That is, it is also about problems that can be resolved on the pillars of two-person crews and full-time jobs for all. Safety is about being able to afford a decent and clean place to live.

Parking is an essential part of Article 1.1. Simply put, we must fight for secured parking lots that are patrolled 24/7 by a human security guard. I do not use a car to get to work. I mostly ride my bike and always bring it inside of the shop where I work. By the way, video cameras will not prevent vehicle break-ins. 

What do you have planned for changes in benefits for new CSR's in regards to Vacation and pension?As it stands now after waiting a exuberant amount of time to become a CSR we then have to wait yet another year to put in on our pension and start over as a "new hire" in regards to our Vacation time! I find that to be ridiculous seeing as we were lied to from the beginning regarding our time line to turn over and due to the fact we become eligible for our top pay upon turning over we should also become eligible for the rest of our benefits such as our Vacation and pension? 

The broken promises and deception against the Customer Service Assistants (CSA) are unforgivable. Any union official or steward who justifies them is a traitor and should be, exposed, shamed and impeached.

Rewriting the Collective Bargaining Agreement ("Contract") should be at the foundation for changes regarding vacation and pension (starting with Article 3.6 and subsequent Articles). Then it must be backed with collective action. Both parts should be done by the members with help from the union officials. 

Fortunately, over the past 6 years I have been the editor for a Chicago Transit Justice Coalition project called The Worker's Contract. This is a new unofficial version of the Contract that is written by ATU members. It has been mocked by my fellow officers as "Eric Basir's fake Contract" (as if I have a need to deceive people into enforcing a Contract that does not exist). I document members' "contract proposals" in a spreadsheet and then add to, or rewrite the related Article as discussed. 

Regarding the vacation and pension deficit for CSA's (and other Part Time Temporary and Full Time Temporary workers), I placed the following amendment for Article 3.6 as paragraph T. New wording is in red. Obsolete working is stricken through: 

T. Part-time employees with six (6) or one (1) or more months years of service shall will be permitted .5 hours time off per pay period and will be able to accumulate it without forfeiture. Part-time employees with one (1) year of service will be permitted one (1) week off with partial pay. That week consists of three and a half (3.5) days off with pay and three and a half (3.5) days off without pay one (1) week off per year without pay. 

Part-time employees with two (2) or more years of service shall will be permitted two (2) weeks off per year with partial without pay. That week consists of seven (7) days off with pay and seven (7) days off without pay. The timing of such absence will depend upon staffing requirements as determined by management. Eligible All part-time employees in the Local 241 and Local 308 bargaining units shall will pick their earned, partially-paid unpaid vacation at the end of the full-time vacation pick. The Authority will set the vacation week controls.

Employees who served as FTT or PTT and were promoted to FTP during the term of this and the previous Agreement will immediately receive 4 consecutive paid vacation days for each year served upon their promotion to FTP.

Employees who served as FTT, PTT or Second Chance “Apprentice” who are promoted to FTP will receive pension credit of one half for each year of service in their former wage tier.

For more insight of what is possible, please check out The Worker's Contract. 

Also I'd like to raise an issue that no one has ever touched on and that is a healthier work environment! We are working stations where there is construction going on dust and debris in the air that is more than likely asbestos and concrete dust that is known to cause cancers that we are forced to breath in on a daily basis as well as work in what was a station mezzanine area and is now construction zones where signs are actually posted that say " hard hat only" area and we are not provided hard hats and we are told to do our jobs as normal not to mention the subway where for yrs people have had to work and after yrs of working in subway have suddenly developed cancers that CTA and the Union has said and done nothing about. 

What you describe is a blatant violation of Article 1.1, Article 13.22 and Article 14.1(c) of the Contract. It is also a violation of many CTA Safety Rules and Illinois OSHA guidelines. However, the Contract wording is weak. Take a look at these proposed changes:

1.1 PURPOSE: The purpose of this Agreement is to provide the best and most satisfactory service to the public, for the Authority to treat its employees with respect and provide the best possible working conditions for the employees., at the same time having due regard for the economical operation of the Authority's equipment.

13.22 COMFORTABLE AND SANITARY CONDITIONS Comfortable and sanitary working conditions are to be maintained by the Authority. The CTA will send a letter to Local 241 and to Local 308 within 30 days of the execution of this Agreement, and quarterly thereafter, including a description of CTA's plans for remodeling and updating CTA facilities.

a) The Authority must ensure that each bus has a can of disinfecting foam cleaner, foam window cleaner and rags. Operators will be paid a $0.50 per hour premium for very day that it is not included on the bus.
b) Defective toilets must be repaired within 24 hours.
c) Employee bathrooms must be swept, mopped and restocked with toilet paper at least every 24 hours.

14.1(c) COMFORTABLE AND SANITARY CONDITIONS Comfortable and sanitary working conditions for all employees are to be maintained by the Authority. Ticket agents 

1. Customer Assistants shall will not be prohibited from playing portable battery operated radios without ear plugs during off-peak hours so long as it does not interfere with the performance of the employee's duties as determined by the Authority. They will not be prohibited from reading non-CTA books or publications if the station is empty or closed and all required duties are completed.

2. Towers used for regular service–which are not physically connected to a rail station with toilet facilities–must have a working, permanent private restroom with toilet and sink.

   a) Windows that can open and have a panoramic view.
   b) Heat, fan and air conditioning.
   c) Safe access to the right of way.
   d) Safe and secure access to street level.
   e) A designated parking space.

    

Additionally, we drafted a brand new article to accommodate the health of members during station renovation and repair: 

4.23 VEHICLE AND FACILITY DESIGN The unions must be included in the selection and approval process for the design and testing of new and upgraded vehicle and facility designs. This includes renovations and major repairs to facilities. The Authority agrees to pay for an industrial hygienist/consultant/specialist selected by the union for the purpose of ensuring the best ergonomic health of the employees.  

I hope this answers your questions, Sister Mary. Please comment below with your criticism and ideas.