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.
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I agree with you Lyndsey, the CTA system is the perfect example of what Marx is talking about and it absolutely resembles the situation of Harlem County USA.
ReplyDeleteThe CTA for riders is already an unpleasant situation, with the new bus and train cuts, it went from bad to worse. If the workers begin to slow down even further, well then I don't think it will be worth taking public at all. And that can only lead to further cuts, and increasing fares, more jobs lost. It is a vicious cycle, and unfortunately I don't believe we have the tools to get out of this problem.
Like in the movie, even when the workers "win" the capitalist win. We are slaves of this type of system, there is no escape.
I am a CTA commuter and although the CTA reduced its transportation, I have not felt the strain of this reduction. Nonetheless, I must agree that if CTA workers cause a slowdown it would cause major problems and CTA executives will seek to retaliate. On the other hand, a slowdown could cause CTA executives to realize the value of its workers and the importance they play in providing reliable service to commuters. Besides, anything worth having is worth fighting for and if CTA workers loose against the capitalist at least they would walk away with dignity knowing they did not give up without a fight.
ReplyDeleteLyndsey,
ReplyDeleteYou know what's even worse about this change? The time change in which busses are now running is affecting those who work past 10pm! It makes me so mad that the people who are affected by this the most is the poor, the lower income family or the individual who has no choice but to take the graveyard shift. I wonder what CTA talks about when they make these changes. I understand that they have budget problems, but maybe ownership needs to change, because what is happening here is beyond people getting laid off in the CTA organization. People who rely on these buses are going to be fired or let go for being late. Not only that, people who do not have the busses available to them after hours (10pm weekdays) will have to add an extra cost by taking a cab home or driving and payinf for gas. I just this is setting such a bad domino affect of things to come, and I feel bad for those individuals who just want to go to work.
I understand CTA workers are fighting too, but there are those who rely on public transportation who are really the ones suffering.
It is unfair that the CTA workers work 12-14 hours without being properly compensated for their labor. Its even worse when they work so hard and still have to fear about loosing their job because of job cuts. Marx would defend the workers because they are not being compensated for the labor that they put it. However, being a daily commuter on the CTA, I see CTA workers that just stand there and talk with hands in their pockets. Those are the ones that should get kicked because they don't do anything or sent home early. Its a tricky situation with the CTA because there are a lot of hard workers that are under paid for their labor and there are a lot of workers that are just there and they get paid for the labor they are not putting in.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though the slow down is a protest CTA employees must go ahead with. I think it is a risk worth taking because we are talking about the welfare of hundreds, if not thousands of people, not to mention the CTA customers. I think that if the CTA were to lay-off all these employees for their protest, there would not be a ton of replacements waiting in the wings to swoop in because the jobs we are talking about are somewhat skilled positions (some more than others). For that reason, I think the slow down must be implemented. I think that will cause a flurry of complaints by passengers which will force the CTA exec's to listen to the union and the demands of the workers.
ReplyDeleteI only take the trains myself as to avoid the busses, but you can see with the trains that the time in between arrivals has lengthen from the usual 5 min to anywhere from 10-20 depending on the time of day or the location you're at in Chicago. And at that the trains our crowded to the point where you may have to wait for the next one to arrive because people are standing and using on another in order to support themselves when there isn't any more room to hold on to something. You hear it at least everyday from someone how horrible the buses are, how slow they are, and how people are going to have to abandon taking this transportation altogether and find other means. It's a horrible thought to think that this public transportation which was so useful and efficient at one point has gotten to where it is now. It really does represent the equivalent of the Harlan County Issue. It's going to be a painful process that is just going to continually last for years and it only brings more negative reactions in concerns to labor cuts, budget cuts, how it affects the customers of the CTA, and much more.
ReplyDeleteTo begin with I am extremely frustrated with the new Cta!!! I have to wait, for what feels like, 20 min at a time just go catch a bus. When, previously I barley had to wait a minute. ANd i agree with Arthur I constantly see the CTA workers just standing their with their arms crossed chit-chatting. Im sure its a tricky situation, but maybe they should get rid of the slackers that they are paying and hire people who will actually work a bit harder. Its a tough economy out there, and people should be thrilled to have a job, and take what they can get. Instead they are currently protesting for something better, but currently in todays society I would like to know whats better? and what they will be able to do for what they are getting paid for.
ReplyDeleteThis is simply just another example of what capitalism will enevitably do to every and all workplaces. This is a point Marx is very adiment about as am I. The way capitalism works is it lowers the quality of life for the workers (aka working class, aka us) in order to increase the quality of life for the owners. We will continue to suffer until this system is replaced. The CTA will not treat its workers right because it costs too much. CTA will slow down the service and in turn will be pissing off every chicagoin without his or her own assigned parking space. aka us
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