CTA approves workforce plan, cuts 149 jobs

Yesterday, the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) board approved a workforce reorganization plan that eliminates 149 jobs to save $13 million annually.

Some of the eliminated positions are related to the implementation of Ventra, the agency's new fare-card payment system. As the new system is implemented through the end of 2013, many positions related to fare payment and collection will no longer be needed, CTA officials said in a press release.

None of the positions are related to safety and the cuts aren't expected to affect service, they said.

"These changes are a continuation of our efforts over the past two years to create an efficient and cost-effective organization," said CTA President Forrest Claypool.

Forty of the 149 jobs are union positions, and each union worker will be given an opportunity to apply for other positions, or will be assigned to another position per union "bumping" rights. Forty-five of the abolished positions are vacant, CTA officials said.

In 2011, the agency eliminated 200 "unnecessary and duplicative positions," including senior-management level jobs.