MTA's Walder to Transit Workers: "No Raise for You!"

Walder explains himself (MTA/Patrick Cashin).

Five years ago this week transit workers struck, bringing the city to a standstill. So what is MTA Chairman Jay Walder getting transit employees for their wooden anniversary? Not a raise, if he gets his way.

Walder, like many, is still angry about an arbitrator's decision in 2009 to award transit workers four percent raises the past two years and a three percent raise set to kick in at the start of next year. The workers already got their first two raises and now the MTA, after losing arguments in court twice, is asking the Court of Appeals to step in. Considering the mess that the MTA's budget already is, we hope they do.

Transport Workers Union Local 100 President John Samuelsen, for his part, hopes they don't. He told the News the appeal was "a complete waste of taxpayer dollars" and "fruitless." Which, considering the two previous loses, isn't so wrong either. Oh bad budgeting. Happy holidays everybody!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Garth Johnston in News on December 23, 2010 6:10 PM

Comments [rss]

LawLeaf

I'm not saying some of these workers don't deserve raises, I'm just saying not right now. I mean the city is under record deficits and people want raises. Suggestion: Elect an official that can balance a damn budget and put us in a surplus and than perhaps everyone will start getting raises.

Ph

I'd have more sympathy for train riders if you all were actually paying near what it costs to move your dumb asses around the city each day.

learnedhand

The federal government froze raises, many private organizations haven't given their employees raises in years, yet MTA employees think they deserve a raise, despite the fact that the MTA is repeatedly sticking it to riders by raising fares and lowering the quality of service? Since they have NYC by the balls and, as we've seen, can shut down the city by going on strike, they'll probably get their raise. When my company was having financial problems, we made concessions to keep the company (a non-profit) afloat because if we shut down, the city would be in dire straits. When the MTA has financial problems, their employees ask for more and more. Greedy bastards.

zombie_cakes

Fuck these greedy pricks. I haven't seen a fucking cent of a raise for nearly 3 years, and I work even harder and take on more responsibility than ever. But they think they deserve a raise for continuing to be lazy, neglectful, remorseless and rude? Go fuck yourselves and your goddamn disgusting union.

diablofreak

good. i didn't get a raise and i'm the one, along with million other commuters, that has to deal with the MTA BS. so i say no raise for them.