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New York City Transit Union Calls Strike

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 December 2005, 03:00 CST

By SARA KUGLER

NEW YORK - The city's transit union called a strike Tuesday morning after failing to reach a deal with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority following days of bitter labor talks.

The decision ensured New York would be thrown into chaos by the height of the morning rush hour.

"With a $1 billion surplus, this contract between the MTA and the Transport Workers Union should have been a no-brainer," said union president Roger Toussaint at a news conference. "Sadly, that has not been the case."

The Transport Workers Union and the MTA had worked furiously to try and reach a new contract, hoping to avoid the city's first transit strike in more than 25 years.

It is illegal for mass transit workers to strike in New York, which means the 33,000 bus and subway employees will incur huge fines.

Bus drivers have been instructed to drop off all passengers and return to their depots, and subways will finish their trips as turnstiles are chained and locked up. Exits will remain open to allow any last passengers off before the stations are shuttered.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg was poised to put into effect a sweeping emergency plan to reduce gridlock and keep certain streets open for emergency vehicles. New Yorkers were urged to make arrangements to car pool, bicycle and walk to work, or change their schedules and work from home.

Bloomberg has said the walkout could cost the city as much as $400 million a day, and would be particularly harsh at the height of the holiday shopping and tourist season.

Source: Associated Press/AP Online

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