Someone should tell the MTA that not all contract negotiations have to get serious after a contract has expired. Sometimes, they can wrap the whole thing up months before—and they can even include good news for employees. Take hotel workers, for instance. If their new contract is ratified on Monday (months before the old one ends) not only will workers start making more, but some of them will be getting outfitted with personal panic buttons—to try and prevent DSK 2: The Wrath Of Kahn, naturally. more ›

[Update below] As rumblings of a "slowdown" "enhanced care" continue (seriously, the R train we took this morning was moving like a bus) the MTA and its largest union, Transit Workers Local 100, are set to return to the negotiating table. And though the last set of talks broke down because of leaks to the media, the Post today has some interesting details reportedly already agreed upon by the two sides. Most notably, when the contract is signed subway operators and conductors will be able to take three (paid) days off if they witness someone being hit by a train. more ›

Did somebody say transit strike? The contract between the MTA and TWU Local 100 expired more than a week ago and negotiations have (mostly) continued in good faith since—but that doesn't mean they will forever. "We would never take a strike off the table, never," TWU head John Samuelson—who walked out of talks last Thursday in a huff—said in Albany yesterday. more ›

Welcome to the MTA, John Lhota—now deal with the union! The MTA's new chairman only just started his job yesterday and already he is being thrown into the fire. Nearly six years after the Transit Workers Union struck and ground the city to a halt for three days negotiations for a new worker's union have begun. Luckily, one of the first things Lhota has done to differentiate himself from his predecessor, Jay Walder, is start buddying up with the union. more ›

Our long urban nightmare is finally over: yesterday, Derek Jeter and the Yankees finally came to terms on a new three-year, $51 million deal to keep the Captain in pinstripes. There is also a complicated option for a fourth year worth up to $17 million, although there are some conflicting reports about the details of the option. Jeter underwent a physical today at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, the last piece before the deal can be formally announced. The Post thinks the deal has saved Jeter's reputation, while the Times worries about Jeter's physical deterioration. The best thing about the deal was that both sides compromised in the end, according to ESPN. Let's all be happy that what seemed to be inevitable turned out to be just that, and Jeter will end his career a Yankee. more ›

Could it be that the great Derek Jeter contract negotiating saga of 2010 is almost at its end? According to reports, Jeter and the Yankees have agreed on a three-year deal worth between $15 million and $17 million a season. more ›

Last week, the state's largest union rejected Governor Paterson's offer, raising the possibility he might make good on his threat to cut almost 9,000 jobs if unions didn't make concessions in contract negotiations. Now the NY Times reports on how the union is pressing forward: "They produced television commercials and newspaper ads with photos of Mr. Paterson sticking his fingers in his ears above the words 'Why aren’t you listening?' The president of one of the unions variously accused the governor last week of union busting, putting people’s lives in danger, and drug use." The unions were looking to drive Paterson's numbers down, but Paterson's approval ratings are already pretty much rock bottom, and the Times points out, "the ferocity of the attacks has only stiffened Mr. Paterson’s resolve." As for one union's claim that reopening the contract would "set a precedent," a Paterson spokesperson scoffed, "What is the precedent exactly? That every 80 years, when there’s a historic economic and fiscal crisis, the state work force might only get half its planned raise?” more ›

The Daily News reports that the MTA has been meeting with the Transit Workers Union, "holding secret negotiations to hammer out a contract months ahead of schedule - and without the usual rancor." Nice, as we all remember what rancor and a lack of a contract meant last time: A three-day transit strike without subway and bus service--the exercise was good. more ›

Con Ed and about 9,000 workers are locked in a contract battle that may threaten the city's power come Sunday. According to Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, the utility and workers are "miles and miles apart." more ›