The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and New York City’s Transport Workers Union are back at the bargaining table for the first time in about two weeks. But already, there’s controversy.
The New York Post, citing anonymous sources, reported that the MTA had caved in to costly union demands. The paper said the agency would give subway operators three paid days off when they hit someone. Current policy only gives workers time off if a person is killed by a subway car.
But MTA chairman Joseph Lhota said that article is patently false. “The MTA has agreed to nothing,” said Lhota. He went on to accuse the newspaper of “damaging” the negotiation process. Lhota made the comments in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal, at a press conference announcing new subway apps.
The Union’s been working without a contract since January 15th. Key areas of contention between the two sides are wages and healthcare costs.
Transport Workers Union Local 100 President John Samuelsen halted talks two weeks ago, after accusing the MTA of negotiating in the media. The MTA then charged the union of doing the same.
Still, Lhota is hopeful. “John Samuelson and I have had very constructive discussions and I look forward to continuing negotiations with John,” said Lhota.
The MTA is pushing the union to accept a five year contract with no wage increases for the first three years; the union is vying for cost of living wage increases each year and a shorter, three year contract.
Officials on both sides say there’s no threat of a transit strike at this time.
The last transit strike was in December of 2005 and lasted 3 days. TWU Local 100 represents about 34,000 workers.
