Interview: Eric Basir and Erek Slater - Transit Workers United 2020 Contract Speak Out

Interview conducted by Labor Express reporter Michelle Burke at the “Transit Workers United 2020 Contract Speak Out” on February 25th, 2020.  Michelle speaks with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) El train motorman Eric Basir, member of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 308 and CTA bus driver Erek Slater elected shop steward and executive board member of ATU Local 241 about the issues facing CTA employees as they enter their third month working under an expired contract.  The previous contract expired on Dec. 31st, 2019 and negotiations on a new contract did not start in earnest until January with little progress so far.  Eric and Erek are both members of Transit Workers United which seeks to unite members of both unions with passengers in a broader fight to not only advance contract demands but fight for better public transit for all; overcoming a certain amount of traditional separation between both unions and the unions and the riding public.  Some of the top issues include over-reliance on part-time workers, long shifts with inconsistent time off and violence against employees on the job.  In particular, Eric and Erek respond to recent proposals by CTA management to add rear passenger loading stations at the back of CTA buses and to increase police presence at CTA stations and on CTA vehicles.  Both Erics/Ereks suggesting more union employees on the trains and buses and reducing fares are better solutions to reducing violence and increasing safety than militarizing public transit.  I apologize for the rough quality of the audio. Michelle had to conduct the interview in windy winter conditions outdoors at the Brown Line terminal.

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