Marx in the News

Anyone living in Chicago or even someone just visiting Chicago has more than likely had first-hand experience with the CTA. Frequent users have felt the strains of cost increases over the years and more recently the reduction in their overall vehicles as a whole. Not only have these changes affected the patrons of the CTA, but the workers themselves have felt the tension of the struggling economy. The Chicago Tribune discusses that “the CTA has laid off about 900 bus drivers union members and 150 train conductors” (Byrne 2010). In response to these drastic measures, CTA employees have threatened a slowdown, which would increase the already lengthy time people are waiting for their transportation. If the slowdown were to be put into effect, all CTA users would feel the pain of these actions.

I believe Marx would find such behavior problematic as these people are working more and more, but their time is becoming less valuable. CTA employees are working 12-14 hour days with no hopes of getting their deserved wage, in fact they are more likely to lose their jobs. These workers are continuing to struggle to make a suitable wage with the added pressure that they could still lose their jobs. Furthermore, these changes may lead to a slowdown which would only cause more chaos not only with workers, but for the users of the CTA. Marx explains that labor is supposed to work towards benefitting society, however, these would only create a heightened level on dysfunction to Chicago.

I thought this article related very much to Harlan County USA. Employees are just trying to use their labor power to provide a living for themselves and their families. I feel that if the workers were to strike or decide to input the slowdown many more employees would get fired and be replaced. The CTA Unions are battling to try and prevent anymore job losses, but I think it will only be a matter of time before they retaliate if these behaviors from CTA executives persist.