Despite a lawsuit filed by the Transport Workers Union, the MTA went ahead with 266 layoffs yesterday, arguing that they could terminate workers not assigned to revenue booths. Last week, the MTA was hit with a restraining order preventing them from closing toll booths, but not from laying off unassigned workers. This afternoon, the two parties will appear before New York State Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla to argue their cases, and the fates of the 211 station agents still on the chopping block. more ›

MTA chairman Jay Walder recently bashed union work rules that are allegedly keeping the Authority from increasing efficiency. Calling them "the shame of the system," Walder blasted things like the "swing shift," a period of time that lasts up to four hours where bus drivers receive half pay between morning and evening shifts. Many spend it playing pool in bus depots. Walder told the Daily News, "That has to change. It might mean some of our bus drivers aren't as good at playing pool as they are now, but we might have to bear that cost." 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 ›