Union Strikes Out at MTA
By Daily News, New York
Nov. 29–It’s up to the MTA to prevent a transit strike, a top union official declared yesterday — ratcheting up the rhetoric as the city works on a walkout battle plan.
With the contract set to expire Dec. 15, Transport Workers Union Local 100 secretary-treasurer Ed Watt accused the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of negotiating in bad faith — and called on the agency to spend some of its $1 billion surplus on raises.
Asked what the odds were of the first transit strike in a quarter-century, Watt said, “That depends on the MTA and what they put on the table.
“I can say they have $1.04 billion in surplus and that they should negotiate in good faith, and that’s the only thing that will prevent a strike,” he added.
There has been little progress since negotiations started last month, Watt said at a news conference at the TWU union hall in Manhattan. A strike is illegal and would mean big fines for the union.
Watt’s strong words came as the Daily News reported that the city is putting together a strike battle plan that would include restricting traffic in Manhattan and allowing cabbies to pick up multiple fares at a time.
The MTA released a statement yesterday expressing confidence that ongoing talks will lead to a deal before the deadline.
The union, meanwhile, said it will file legal papers next week to protect its 32,000 members’ First Amendment right to discuss — and even vote to authorize — a strike, union lawyer Arthur Schwartz said.
The state’s Taylor Law bans transit workers from striking. But some actions short of an actual walkout are not prohibited, Schwartz said.
Union officials have not ruled out a strike, and TWU Local 100 President Roger Toussaint last week praised Philadelphia transit workers who recently waged a legal walkout.
City Councilman John Liu (D-Queens), chairman of the Council’s Transportation Committee, urged workers to avoid a strike, which would be a huge blow to the city’s economy during the crucial holiday season.
“But on the other hand, the MTA management needs to get their tushes to the table and negotiate in good faith,” Liu said.
By Michael Saul and Pete Donohue
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