IAM Rail Division, Union Coalition Unite to Save Illinois Public Transit

Public transportation agencies across the country are facing a financial crisis, and the Chicago region is no exception. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which oversees Metra, CTA, and Pace, faces a $1.03 billion budget shortfall. This shortfall could lead to significant service cuts, impacting commuters and workers across the region.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, District 19 General Chairman Shaun O'Connor and Local 498 Local Chairman David May mobilized their membership and reached out to other labor organizations. Their efforts resulted in a coalition of over 25 labor unions working together under the guidance of the Illinois AFL-CIO to preserve and expand public transportation across the state.

"The time to act is now," says May. "The transit fiscal cliff is just months away. The money runs out on July 1, 2025, and service cuts will follow. That means trains and buses will stop running. Our coalition is committed to ensuring that labor has a voice and a seat at the table when it comes to all transportation issues impacting Illinois."

The coalition recently traveled to the Illinois State Capitol to meet with House Leader Natalie Manley, a strong supporter of labor. They emphasized that public transportation is a basic right that helps make Illinois equitable, allowing people from every corner of the state access to jobs, healthcare, and housing.

"IAM Chicago-based Local 498 has a rich history of leadership that knows the importance of coalition building around labor issues," said IAM District 19 General Chairman Shaun O'Connor. "If we do nothing, we will see layoffs, sub-par bargaining agreements, and worker protections rolled back. Now is the time for the Illinois legislature to learn what the fighting machinists are all about when it comes to public transportation."