Clock running out for CTA peace accord

Clock running out for CTA peace accord

A CTA contract accord was nearly cemented Tuesday after the presidents of the two transit unions agreed on WVON's Cliff Kelley show to meet with CTA President Frank Kruesi over a dispute about drivers convicted of DUIs.

An elated Kelley was praised by Kruesi, who appeared live in the WVON studios, for discovering what the sticking point was that has caused negotiations to continue.

Calling into the show were Jerry Williams, president of Local 308 of the Alamagated Transit Unit (ATU), and Wanda Black, president of the ATU Local 241 (bus), who under questioning by Kelley agreed to settle the dispute.

They promised to meet with Kruesi in his office at 11 a.m. However, once there, Kruesi said negotiations broke down again over Black's refusal to agree that bus drivers convicted of DUIs shouldn't be allowed to drive buses.

Local 241 wants drivers to continue getting judicial permits that would allow them to still drive buses, even though they've been convicted of a DUI. Kruesi opposes that and wants his policy codified into law.

After Kelley's show, Kruesi, met with the two union presidents and Dorval Carter, executive vice president for Management and Performance for the CTA. Kruesi said he, like Kelley, was stunned that negotiations broke down.

He told the Chicago Defender: "Bus drivers are outraged over the question of people losing their licenses for DUI. We're committed to public safety of our customers....

"Most of our bus operators are true professionals and take great pride in their work and they're incensed that there is an effort to protect people who have DUI's and still want to drive a bus. Our customers are paying for this. The clock's running out in Springfield."

The General Assembly ends on Friday. "We have legislation that's pending to reinforce my policy that a judicial driving permit (someone who has had their license suspended because of drugs, drunk driving or multiple DUIs) cannot be used to operate a CTA vehicle," said Kruesi.

"They don't belong behind a wheel of a bus, and I won't let them," said Kruesi, whose position clashes with Local 241's who want drivers to have these permits. "Public safety has to prevail here...."

Still stunned that his peace accord crumbled just hours after both union officials agreed they were on the same page, Kelley later said: "I can see why there is a problem with negotiations if people say one thing, then do something else.

"I anticipated that based on what was said on the show that (there would have been) a short meeting" with Kruesi. There would have been a short meeting....

"Since it was mentioned by all parties that they agreed to the meeting, there would be no need for a meeting if there wasn't an understanding," a perplexed Kelley said.

"Most folk I know are pro-union, but, they also expect that they would act in good faith...." Kelley said Williams and Black appeared to be "on board."

"Obviously, there is a stall until the end of the session so that the legislation won't pass, but, the CTA officials still aren't going to allow people with these problems to get behind the wheel of a bus, as well they shouldn't."

"I don't think the overwhelming number of drivers would want people like that to get behind a wheel of a bus," said Kelley. "I don't know who is supposed to be benefiting from this, but, to me, it sounds strange.

"But, the bigger question is who in the legislature is unwilling to pass the same law that was passed by their colleagues in the senate in a 55 to 1 vote. The solution rests with the House," Kelley said.

"So, we need to know who in the legislature is against what the senate passed."

Carter explained: "The issue is whether or not employees who operate transit vehicles for the CTA who have their license suspended because of either driving under the influence charge or multiple moving violations should be allowed to continue employment for indefinite periods of time at the CTA.

"The union is looking for a certain level of employee protection for people who lose their licenses, and they were looking for people who may get multiple DUIs to come back and operate buses for the CTA," said Carter.

"But, we're opposed to that as a safety issue for our customers and the riding public," he stated. "We believe that an employee who has a DUI conviction should not be behind the wheel of a bus and Local 241 wants them to return," said Carter.

"We've been trying to work to put together a tentative agreement that would basically lay out a process that would resolve our differences. We've been able to get the union to come to closure on that discussion."

"It is the implications of the DUIs that's causing the problem. We met with them briefly after Kelley's show," Carter said, adding that they are still at an impasse.

Carter said the DUI is a safety issue and that this law would impact maybe two or three employees.

Article Copyright Sengstacke Enterprises, Inc.

Photo (Frank Kruesi, Dorval Carter)