Bus driver strike over layoffs an 'option'

The union representing CTA bus drivers and mechanics is considering a strike if the agency goes ahead with hundreds of layoffs.

"We're just exploring every option," said Darrell Jefferson, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union 241, which represents bus drivers. Nearly 1,800 Local 241 members received notices warning they could be laid off.

"A strike would be the absolutely last resort," Jefferson said. "These are trying times. It's not a productive idea to call a strike." But he said the union has to protect its interests "by any means necessary."

The CTA has a $300 million budget deficit for 2010 and has proposed steep fare increases and service cuts to plug the hole. The proposed cut of 18 percent of bus service would result in job losses.

The CTA has said it is working to avoid fare increases and service cuts by seeking more money from the state and by negotiating for concessions from its unions.

"We continue to talk to the unions and hope that we will be able to reach agreement on ways to reduce costs so that we can avoid service reductions that would impact our customers and our employees," CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney said.

The CTA has contended that under state law, essential service employees can't strike, and that includes bus drivers. The drivers' contract with the CTA contains a clause that any issue that can't be resolved by negotiation must go to binding arbitration.

Jefferson said the "essential services" prohibition does not apply to bus drivers.

The CTA hasn't said exactly what it wants from the unions yet, but Jefferson said he has heard from management sources that the agency wants union workers to forgo 3.5 percent raises scheduled for 2010 and 2011. Jefferson said the agency should instead cut more managers.