CTA bus and rail workers backing Jesus "Chuy" Garcia in next week's mayoral election should be allowed to pass out fliers in break rooms, a federal judge ruled Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Robert Dow granted a temporary restraining order allowing more than 10,000 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Locals 241 and 308 to display the "Transit for Chuy" fliers.
The union sued the CTA earlier this week arguing that the agency had violated workers' freedom of speech by prohibiting the political speech in break rooms. The CTA argued that long-standing state laws prohibit political activities on government property and government time.
But in his 18-page ruling, Dow said CTA employees "have at least a reasonable prospect of establishing that the break rooms are used primarily for resting and socializing, not for work."
The restraining order — which prohibits the CTA from disciplining or threatening any employee who distributes the fliers — expires April 16.
The mayoral runoff election between Garcia and Mayor Rahm Emanuel is Tuesday.
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