With more than 1,000 employees scheduled for layoffs in February, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is taking measures to help affected employees plan and prepare.

A series of workshops have been scheduled in January to provide information on unemployment benefits and job search tips. The transit agency is also trying to connect employees with companies that are hiring.

Due to a loss of public funding, the CTA will be forced to reduce service in February in order to cut costs. There will be a corresponding reduction in the agency's workforce.

"We greatly regret the hardship these layoffs will cause for employees and their families, and we want to do everything we can to help them prepare," said CTA President Richard L. Rodriguez.  "In the meantime, we continue to talk to the union leadership to find solutions that will help preserve both service and jobs.”

Last weekend the CTA worked with representatives of the Vancouver, B.C., firm responsible for providing transportation for the 2010 Winter Olympics to offer employment information and job applications to CTA employees who will be laid off in February.

Starting in January, CTA will host workshops to provide information and resources for obtaining job interviews, training, health benefits and unemployment compensation.

Support services such as faxing, copying, telephone and internet services for job access will also be provided. Representatives from the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, ICMA Retirement Corporation, as well as CTA representatives will be available to answer questions on topics such as benefits, unemployment compensation and accessing 401K and 457 accounts.