Citizens Taking Action for transit dependent riders

Monthly meeting the first Monday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, at 77 W. Washington, 4th Floor  www.CTAriders.org

The next meetings are scheduled for December 5th, January 9th, and February 6th.

Charles Paidock, Secretary (312) 714-7790 cpaidock@hotmail.com

Doors Locked, Barricades, and Police Screening of

Public Wanting to Testify at Public Hearings on CTA

Significantly large numbers of passengers and employees of CTA voiced criticism of Mr. Forrest Claypool's handling of operations, with a large police presence in attendance in apparent anticipation of a disturbance during the meeting.  Police were screening people at the entrance to the building, and blue barricades had been put up outside.  Police later closed the doors altogether, prohibiting many who were not there at the beginning from getting in, and giving testimony.  The excuse given was safety concerns, however, the building remained closed even after many had spoken and left.

Many passengers from the Occupy Chicago movement spoke, in unison, expressing criticism of CTA managements adversarial approach to dealing with employee concerns.  Mayor Rahm Emanuel was spoken of repeatedly as "Mayor 1%."  Numerous employees of CTA stated that Mr. Claypool had no understanding of working conditions, and should apologize publicly for statements made to the press critical of their performance.  Many pointed out that his allegations were simply not true ocompletely inaccurate. 

Union members stood while the Presidents of Local 241 and 308 of the American Transit Union spoke.  Several of the employees testified that they simply wanted an opportunity to use restrooms during their trips, which was either difficult to do, or dirty.  It was reported that employees have to resort to going into a McDonald's or Burger King while enroute.  Others indicated that they never get to be with their families on holidays for years, and have only leftovers from Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

Charles Paidock, Secretary of Citizens Taking Action, voiced concerns to a representative of the Regional Transportation Secretary (RTA) who was there, and the secretary of the CTA Board, who was conducting the meeting.  Mr. Paidock said:  "At first I couldn't get in, even though I arrived an hour early.  I later received telephone calls on my cell phone from people who were standing outside, and who wished to testify, but the doors were locked.  In addition, CTA decided that a north side hearing wasn't for some reason necessary, and for the first time I can remember one wasn't even scheduled. The hearings themselves were no different than many I have attended, except for the heavy police presence."

The RTA spokesperson responded by saying:  "2 hours is enough, and it's repetitive anyway."

At the hearing on Monday at CTA headquarters, Mr. Paidock also stated that:  "At the end I went to the front to simply say hello to Mr. Claypool, and introduce myself since we had never met.  A guard immediately jumped in front of me and aggressively put his hands up.  I waited patiently, and after Mr. Claypool indicated that it was ok, I then simply indicated to Mr. Claypool that we looked forwarded to working with the CTA Board in securing support for public transit at the federal, state and local levels, as we have been doing for many years.  I realize now, so to speak, that the mountain is high, and the emperor is far away."