Claypool Unveils 2012 CTA Budget. Will Unions Budge?

CTA President Forrest Claypool released his 2012 budget recommendations today that offers the worst choices this side of the Saw films.

Claypool held the line at not raising fares or cutting services in the $1.24 billion budget if - and this is one hell of an "if" - unions agree to work rule changes and deep cuts in management. This being Chicago, where some unions have been an extension of the Machine since time immemorial, labor isn't happy.

One union leader has already urged Claypool to "come up with another plan" because the one proposed would cost his rank-and-file an average of $9,000 a year. Amalgamated Transit Union President Larry Hanley said Claypool and Mayor Emanuel were trying to "tar and feather" hard-working CTA employees who struggled for the work rule perks some of them now take advantage of to have long weekends.

There is a lot to like about Claypool's proposal. It doesn't rely on raiding capital funds to balance the books, as it has in previous years. Claypool is also cautiously optimistic an improving economy and other factors (like Emanuel's proposed "congestion fee") will lead to an increase in revenues.

But it's the unions who will bear the brunt of the budget, if they agree to work rule concessions. Claypool's proposed cuts would cost unions at least $160 million. Labor and CTA have never had the warmest relationship; one recent agreement had to have Rev. Jesse Jackson as a negotiator. With the current contract between CTA and labor set to expire Dec. 31, unions may find they don't hold the cards they used to.