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Yesterday, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced it reached an agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308 that would allow rail-car servicers laid off two years ago to return to work before the holidays. The pact also extends a program designed to provide ex-offenders and other jobless people entry-level employment opportunities at the agency.

The agreement settles a longstanding union grievance while also protecting the Rail Car Servicer Apprentice program, a priority of the administration, CTA officials said in a prepared statement.

“I am pleased that our negotiations will help return formerly laid-off CTA employees to the work place,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “I am also very pleased that we will be able to continue to offer our vital apprentice program, especially in this economy.”

Adds Amalgamated Transit Union Local 308 President Robert Kelly: “This shows that good things can happen when CTA management sits down with the union to solve problems.”