The Chicago Transit Authority is hosting a series of workshops designed to assist the more than 1,000 employees scheduled for layoffs next month. In order to balance its 2010 budget, CTA will be reducing service effective February 7, consequently, there will be a corresponding reduction in the CTA workforce.
A 30 percent loss of public funding contributed to a $300 million budget shortfall for the Chicago Transit Authority in 2010. Staff reductions, mandatory furlough days and strict controls on spending, along with transferring capital funds to operating, are necessary to help fill the gap.
The sessions will provide information and resources for obtaining job interviews, training, health benefits and unemployment compensation. Representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, ICMA Retirement Corporation, as well as CTA representatives will be available to answer questions on topics such as benefits, unemployment compensation and accessing 401K and 457 accounts.
Every CTA employee who received a layoff notice was also provided information on the workshops. Employees also received contact information for various support organizations. The CTA has worked with its labor unions to provide the information for distribution as well.
Workshop dates are:
- Wednesday, January 13
- Thursday, January 14
- Friday, January 15
- Thursday, January 21
- Friday, January 22
- Monday, January 25
- Thursday, February 11
The workshops will be conducted at CTA Headquarters, 567 W. Lake Street.
# # #