RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard Scrutinizes Metra Conductor Salaries
(CBS) -- The head of the Chicago's areas umbrella transit agency recommends Metra follow up reports that many of its locomotive engineers conductors bring home over $100,000 a year, reports WBBM's John Cody.
RTA Board Chairman and former State Senator Kirk Dillards, says he isn't saying Metra train crews make too much money, he does say Metra needs to examine both its expenses and its revenues.
"The timing is apropos, we should always be looking to see what other railroads are doing and if that compensation is excessive compared to other railroads, Metra needs to adjust it, though I will point out that to get that $100,000 figure, I saw one man had to work 185 hours of overtime," Dillard said.
He said it's a good time for Metra to scrutinize its labor expense since Metra votes Friday on an 11 per cent fare hike for commuter.