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NYC lawyers plan transit strike defense
NEW YORK (CNN) -- New York officials unveiled a two-pronged legal strategy Thursday to head off a threatened strike by city transit workers that could bring subways and buses to a halt. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the transit systems, sought a preliminary injunction, and the city filed a lawsuit. At a City Hall news conference, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that if the 34,000 transport workers strike as threatened at midnight Sunday, he will seek $1 million a day from both the Transport Workers Union of America and its Local 100, a total of $2 million a day. He will also seek a fine of $25,000 a day from each union member, to double every day the strike continues. "We simply cannot afford this. A strike would be phenomenally damaging,'' Bloomberg said. "I ask the TWU to drop their threats and return to the negotiating table.'' "Mayor Bloomberg should shut up," responded Roger Toussaint, president of TWU Local 100. It is illegal under state law for New York City bus and subway employees to strike, but Bloomberg appealed to union leaders to think in the interest of the city, not just their members. The union's contract is set to expire Sunday night at midnight. The visible impact of a strike on the city's streets could be staggering. If commuters use their own transportation, the city must make room for emergency vehicles; lanes on some roads would be reversed to allow for extra traffic. All road construction would be put on hold, with large metal plates covering works in progress. High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) requirements would increase from two to four people per vehicle in some cases. Taxis would be allowed to pick up extra passengers even when they have a fare. Truck deliveries would be restricted to certain hours, and some parking regulations would be suspended to make room for more on-street parking. Bloomberg has already announced a contingency plan that would use alternate means of transportation if the union workers strike. Ferries, carpools, and park-and-ride systems are key to the plan, but his office is also encouraging all those who can to walk or bike to work. Employers have also been making preparations for a strike. The city estimates more than 1,500 charter buses will be shuttling employees into the city, and hotels throughout Manhattan are booked for employees to stay close to the office. The mayor's office recommended others try telecommuting or using staggered work hours to alleviate the rush hour strain. It also recommended offices change their workweeks to consist of four 10-hour days or allow employees to work weekends instead of weekdays. The city also asked parking garages to extend their hours and provide secured parking for bicycles.
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