As the Transit Contract Dispute Turns

The more Gothamist hears about the MTA and Transport Workers Union, the more we're confused. So, the TWU is trying to get its membership to approve the contract that was rejected by 7 votes in January, even though the MTA claims that the contract is no longer valid and just wants the whole thing to go to binding arbitration... yet the TWU is still going through with a revote, probably in April. Why can't these two sides just suck it up and work it out? Even though a strike is supposed to be unlikely, it just makes us crazy that it has to drag on like this. Why did the MTA have to be so stupid to suddenly disavow the contract? And why did the TWU not express what the contract said (the union is claiming some of its members were misinformed last go around)? Once a contract is finally agreed upon, Gothamist would like to suggest that both parties go into couples counseling or group therapy, because to go through this every three years is stupid.

Photograph of subway track work on the 2/3 line taken during the weekend - we love seeing construction in the subways because it just seems so impossible in such a tiny, fragile space

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By Jen Chung in News on March 21, 2006 6:13 PM

Comments [rss]

wls

The NY Times had an article yesterday that finally explained that this is basically about a clause in the new contract that allows workers who've paid too much into their pensions to get some out. If the negotiations go to arbitration that clause is basically void because there is some state law that prevents arbitrators from making any changes to pensions for state workers (which seems counterproductive, but it's NY state government); the clause is new to this contract, so saying they could keep it would technically be a change. It's still confusing, but it at least explains why the union is fighting arbitration so hard, although maybe they should have thought about this particular consequence before they voted down the contract the first time.

MT

I think it's pretty damn nervy of the TWU to suddenly turn around and claim they want this contract. I say they forfeited all their rights when they decided to hold the city hostage with a strike. The only reason they are claiming they want the contract now is because they know they have been screwing the city for years and now they are going to be forced to accept a fair deal and actually have to work and deal with benefits and other realities of actually being productive like the rest of us have always done. They know arbitration means their cushy ride is over. After what they pulled, this is the least of what they deserve.