Chicago Transit Authority announces deal with unions to extend jobs program for felons

The CTA announced a tentative agreement Friday with two unions to extend a job program for felons.

The Second Chance program, which provides temporary jobs cleaning buses and trains to felons, was set to end Saturday amid a contract dispute with the rail and bus unions. The specifics of the tentative agreement were not released, however, and the proposal still needs to be approved by the unions. Second Chance workers pay union dues.

"This agreement in principle is great news for the nearly 200 men and women currently in this nationally renowned program, who will be able to continue to support themselves and their families, while working to build a foundation for their future success," CTA President Dorval Carter said in a statement.

The program has found jobs for 736 people since 2011 — 184 of whom have been hired full-time by the CTA. The program also provides counseling and skills training, including free classes to qualify for a commercial driver's license.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-cta-reaches-agreement-with-unions-met-20161230-story.html