Mass transit in the Chicago area would screech to a halt from Sunday night through Monday if all goes according to plan in a one-day "job action" that CTA labor unions have approved, union officials said today.I sincerely hope it doesn't get ugly before it gets better.
The threatened walk-off, which union leaders insist is not a strike, aims to send the strongest message yet to the governor and lawmakers in Springfield that the deadlock over transit funding must end now, according to the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents CTA bus drivers, train operators and other employees.
If successful, the shutdown of all CTA bus and rail service for 24 hours would paralyze downtown Chicago and overwhelm transportation across the region. The CTA serves 40 suburbs.
The union's ultimate goal is to shut down all CTA, Metra and Pace operations to demonstrate the need for more transit funding and to restore balance to union pension funds and health care plans. But such a wide-spread walkout would require the cooperation of 19 unions at the three transit properties in the Regional Transportation Authority system.
"We want to make sure the public is aware of our job action ahead of time," said Rick Harris, president of ATU Local 308, which represents train operators and other employees. "We don't want to hurt the public."
"But we are fed up with the state funding situation in the legislature and the layoffs and service cuts in January," he said.
The CTA plans to lay off about 2,400 workers next month, eliminate 81 bus routes and raise fares unless new subsidies are provided to close a projected $158 million budget deficit in 2008.
In addition, the CTA's employee pension fund is underfunded and deteriorating fast. It is projected to go broke in 2012. Health benefits to CTA retirees could be cut off next summer due to underfunding.
Legislative leaders and Gov. Rod Blagojevich are at odds over how to raise new revenue for mass transit and pay for a new statewide capital improvement program.
Dispatches from Chicago's south side.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
CTA workers plan 1-day walk-off
Are those of you CTA riders nervous about this yet. I know I am and I have to get around on public transport. Look at this Tribune article...
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