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Yesterday, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) officials announced a tentative five-year agreement has been reached with multiple CTA labor unions.

The agreement would include provisions that provide the CTA more flexibility in scheduling construction and maintenance work, and lowering overtime costs, which could save the agency more than $6.5 million, CTA officials said in a prepared statement. The pact would allow afternoon and evening shifts that would be paid at straight time instead of overtime, and provide greater flexibility in shift starting times.

"These cost-saving changes will allow us to protect current job levels and guarantee job security for members for the life of the contract," said CTA President Forrest Claypool.

If approved by union members, the agreement would cover more than 1,200 workers in the following 12 unions: IBEW Local No. 134; IBEW Local No. 9; Plumbers Local No. 130; Carpenter's Local No. 1027; Machinists District No. 8; Painters District Council No. 14; Bricklayers Local No. 21; Sheetmetal Workers Local No. 73; Pipefitters Local No. 597; Boilermakers Local Lodge No. 1247; Teamsters Local No. 700; and Machinists Local No. 701.