CTA Cracking Down on Vacation, Sick Time Abuse
CTA, in its efforts to trim a $277 million budget deficit and address reports of rampant absenteeism among its ranks, announced today it was cutting 200 white collar jobs and revising vacation and sick time rules for non-union employees.
The cutting of the jobs will save the transit agency around $22 million while the revision in vacation and sick days will save an estimated $15 million over the next six years. CTA can't change the vacation and sick time agreements with union employees, as they're dictated by collective bargaining agreements. So if a train conductor decides he wants to get his weekend started on a Friday, you'll be stewing on a train platform somewhere wondering why the Brown line is late.
CTA President Forrest Claypool said in a statement:
“I also look forward to working with our labor leaders to find common sense, rational and fair solutions that reduce our labor costs while providing stable employment for their members. It is time for everyone to step up so we can put CTA on solid financial ground.”
