Chicago Transit Workers Council

We are an association of workers committees meeting near our work locations. These committees are independent groups of responsible workers coming together regularly to respectfully listen to each other, educate and empower ourselves and our communities. Our right to organize ourselves is based on the freedom of speech and assembly. No governmental or other body may justly interfere in the expression of these rights. This council is not a union. We encourage participation in unions as we understand them to be their membership. We help, support and work alongside our unions while maintaining our independence. Our immediate goal is to organize regular meetings to be held near each of the locations or facilities we work at. These meetings will be democratically organized as the workers of these workplaces see fit. We may invite allies and members of our communities to participate, however, important decisions will be made on the basis of one worker, one vote. Responsible workers from each work location committee will be elected as temporary delegates to this regional council. The current situation is a difficult one. Our employer is on the offensive. Our local union and its elected leadership have lost the confidence of its members and it has been trusteed. One of our immediate tasks is to help organize a group of responsible workers to run for office of our local union on the basis of a written statement of principles. Again, this council maintains its independence even from those leaders we help to become elected. We will help organize workers to hold their leadership accountable. We are not alone. Workers around the Chicago region and in other cities are facing similar difficulties. We actively promote the collaboration of workers in different industries and locations. We do hard and important work, and we do it well. We are disciplined workers who the people of the Chicago region depend upon. However, we understand that we have a responsibility beyond our workplace. We not only organize to help educate and empower ourselves, but also to empower our communities and neighborhoods. We have not forgotten where we came from. If you feel you are interested in becoming part of a group that will be empowered by organization and education to hold accountable our Local and elected officials, then come out to the meetings held near your work location.