A last-minute negotiation session between the CTA's top brass and its union chiefs won't stop the service cuts that will hit Chicago transit this Sunday, leaving many transit riders, literally, out in the cold.
But the meeting, brokered by Mayor Richard M. Daley, has restarted previously-dead negotiations that could yet restore the city's transit system after the cuts take place.
A deal could not be reached Friday evening, and won't be reached until at least next week, because Amalgamated Transit Union locals 241 and 308 must ask their members to approve any concessions. Read more...
A CTA display informs "L" riders of impending service cuts. Credit: Ben Meyerson
As the Chicago Transit Authority’s doomsday approaches and negotiations with its unions remain gridlocked, the agency has started notifying riders of impending service cuts.
“The days of preparing for the storm have passed — we are now in its midst,” CTA President Richard Rodriguez said at the agency’s monthly board meeting today. “We want customers to have information as early as possible so that they can plan their travels based on the new schedules.” Read more...
Three more unions have backed Dan Hynes, giving the Illinois comptroller a boost in his campaign against incumbent Gov. Pat Quinn, known for his close ties to organized labor.
The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 241, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1546, and the International Brotherhood of the Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers, and Helpers Local 1 announced their endorsements for Hynes yesterday.
“During a recession, working men and women are on the front lines of trying to make ends meet," Hynes said in a statement. "I am proud to have earned their trust as a leader who can put people back to work and get Illinois’ economy back on its feet."
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