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NYC transit workers on job as talks continue
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Negotiators for New York's transit union and management were able to "stop the clock" late Sunday to avert a strike that would shut down one of the world's best-known mass transit systems and leave millions of riders stranded, the union's secretary treasurer said. "We have made a sufficient progress to stop the clock," Ed Watt said. "This progress has been made primarily in the non-economic areas of dignity and respect for all members." At a news conference just minutes before the union's contract was set to expire, Watt said talks would continue "as long as there's progress being made." Members of the Transport Workers Union have authorized their leaders to call a strike, even though the labor action would be illegal. New York state law prohibits strikes by public workers. The union, which represents 34,000 New York City transit workers, has been in round-the-clock negotiations with the city's Metropolitan Transit Authority since Friday morning. Union officials said they were disappointed with the status of the talks Sunday afternoon but remained hopeful for a resolution. "Despite the fact that there is limited time left," said Roger Toussaint, president of TWU Local 100, "we still expect that our contract will be resolved well before midnight tonight." Toussaint said there were "still lots of opportunities to resolve the issues." Union members are seeking salary increases of 6 percent for the next three years and improvements in pensions and working conditions. The union aired its grievances months ago, but the MTA decided to listen only "very late in the game," Toussaint said. He blamed the MTA for taking both sides to the brink. There was no comment from the MTA. Gov. George Pataki said the workers' demands, though understandable, are not unique. "They are facing a very difficult financial future -- the city is, the state is, we all are," Pataki said. "That is one of the reasons why a fair and appropriate contract [must] be negotiated, understanding the fiscal difficulties that all levels of government and public authority face right now." A judge issued an injunction Friday preventing the transit workers from striking Monday if a contract is not reached.
"If there is a strike, the city and the MTA will certainly take all legal actions possible to try to force the workers back," warned Mayor Michael Bloomberg, "to have the appropriate penalties for breaking the law and endangering the public, and the city will sue to get back whatever expenses it loses." He said the law offers no provisions for workers to avoid the penalties they incur for launching an illegal strike. With more than 7 million riders a day on New York City subways and buses, the city has contingency plans in place that include special regulation of streets, restricting some bridges and tunnels to high-occupancy vehicles only, temporary bans on construction and some truck deliveries, arranging carpool staging areas, and allowing group rides in taxis. Schools will open at regular times, but classes will start two hours late to allow for expected late arrivals. Asked what his plans were for Monday if there is a strike, Bloomberg said, "I plan to ride my newly purchased bicycle down in the morning. I'm sure the media won't have any interest in covering that." Bloomberg said the public should "make plans, assuming that there is a strike, and when they wake up in the morning, we all hope that they will be pleasantly surprised."
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