Nicole Williams For Financial Recording Secretary Treasurer of ATU 241

08/14/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Db_fzCtNQZa/?igsh=NWo3eXMzeTcwMGx4

08/14/2026

08/12/2026

My Take on the Transit Tax

Just something to think about with this new 0.25% sales tax increase that took effect August 1st.

Transit workers can go to Springfield, rally, fight to protect their jobs and push lawmakers to keep the transit system funded. But at the end of the day, we, the working people of Illinois, are the ones ultimately paying for it. We pay to keep the system running, and in a sense, we pay to keep those jobs funded. This new tax is just one more example of that.

And this is also why, when someone asks a transit employee, “Why do you care if I don’t pay my fare? Does it come out of your paycheck?” — the answer is yes, in a roundabout way.

It may not be a direct deduction from an employee’s paycheck, but when transit systems need more money, taxpayers are one of the places that money comes from. Now we’re paying an additional 25 cents for every $100 spent on most taxable purchases.

So when people ride for free and say, “It doesn’t cost you anything,” that’s not really true. We all have a stake in keeping the system funded.

I’m not saying transit workers shouldn’t fight for their jobs or negotiate for better wages and benefits. I’m saying we also need to recognize the bigger financial picture.

In my opinion, this is exactly why it’s so important to have well-educated, knowledgeable and financially responsible people representing our members during contract negotiations. When we negotiate with the employer, we have to look at the entire picture—not just wages. Healthcare costs increase. Union dues increase. Pension costs increase. The cost of operating and maintaining the system increases. And, as we’re seeing now, working people are also contributing through additional taxes to help keep the system funded.

We absolutely should fight for fair wages and good benefits. But the people sitting at the negotiating table need to understand all of these factors and understand the financial realities behind them. We can’t afford to have people negotiating our contracts who lack the knowledge or experience to fully understand how these increases affect the employees, the employer, the transit system and ultimately the taxpayers who help fund it.

Good representation isn’t just about asking for more. It’s about understanding what we’re asking for, what it costs, and how it affects everyone involved.

07/25/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbI5jrMFSw6/?igsh=N3NvZjhjMG5qaWY4

07/10/2026

This week, a document titled “Grievance and Arbitration Representation for Non-Members/Non-Dues or Fair Share Fee Employees” has been distributed and discussed among members of ATU Local 241.

If you’re not aware, our Local has seen members choosing to opt out of union membership for a variety of reasons. Because of that, it’s important that any communication on this issue be accurate, transparent, and professionally presented.

After reading the document, several things immediately stood out to me:

It contains multiple grammar and formatting errors.
It is not signed by the Local President or any elected officer.
It does not include a date or an effective date.
It does not identify when the policy was adopted or provide a reference to any official Local 241 action approving it.
It does not cite the specific legal authority supporting some of the claims it makes regarding fees and representation.

Those omissions raise legitimate questions about the authenticity, authority, and status of the document.

In my opinion, this appears to be an attempt to encourage members to rejoin the union by emphasizing the potential consequences of remaining a non-member. If this is an official Local 241 policy, the membership deserves to know when it was adopted, who approved it, and the legal basis for its implementation.

What concerns me most is the suggestion that employees could lose rights or face significant financial burdens if they choose not to be union members. Members deserve clear, accurate information—not communications that create confusion or fear.

My message to President Hill is simple: focus on representing the membership effectively. Earn the confidence of the members through strong representation, transparency, accountability, and communication. When members believe their union is working in their best interests, they are far more likely to remain members voluntarily.

The solution to declining membership is not fear or uncertainty. It’s leadership that gives employees a reason to stay.

07/07/2026

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaeQZTTNKFd/?igsh=MThpZ2JyaHc0Z2M2ZQ==

06/30/2026

JUST IN: Millions drop Obamacare health coverage after subsidies expire