MTA executive Gary Dellaverson has had some explaining to do. Last week, when discussing the possibility of a Metro-North strike, the MTA's labor negotiator told Metro, "Negotiation is about compromise," before joking about "putting needles in my Roger Toussaint doll." Oh, dear. more ›

The Transit Workers Union is set to vote on its leadership this fall, and a group of members wants to oust current president Roger Toussaint. Yesterday, the Daily News reported that bus driver (and the chairman of the local's Manhattan and Bronx division) Barry Roberts, track division chairman John Samuelsen and conductor Nat Cummings are running together. Roberts said of Toussaint, "He destroyed the workers' morale." Roberts also said many workers would have wanted to negotiate with the MTA, versus striking last December. Hindsight is always 20/20, but given that the TWU still doesn't have a contract, we imagine the TWU membership might want some new blood. more ›

- Uhm, in case you missed it, the Murder Inc. guys were found not guilty. more ›

Are there more chilling words than "subway workers on strike"? The Transit Workers Union is not above considering a strike for its bus and subway workers, because its negotiations with the MTA over a new contract have been moving slowly. The contract talks have been happening since October 14, with a number of issues to discuss (single-person operated trains, token both closings), but the latest thing to upset the MTA is how the MTA has essentially spent its $1 billion surplus before meeting with them. The discounted holiday fares and holiday unlimited Metrocards, for instance, cost the agency $50-100 million; the union calls this effort a way for the MTA to buy public good will, and Gothamist can hardly argue with that. Mayor Bloomberg is warning against a strike, reminding New Yorkers that a strike is against the law, no matter how much you might agree with the union. Mayor Mike: Stop talking and make the MTA and union settle this. This could be your holiday gift to us - and we've technically been good in your book since you were reelected! more ›

We were a little surprised when we read that the Transit Workers Union had distributed disaster kits to bus and subway workers, because Gothamist thought that they would at least have flashlights available in case of an emergency. According to the Daily News, "The emergency kits include a screwdriver a knife, whistles, candles, matches, light sticks, a poncho, two bottles of water, granola bars, work gloves, a 12-in-1 pocket tool with pliers, a flashlight with a built-in radio and siren, and a lightweight blanket that is not much larger than an index card when folded." That sounds like a magic blanket! Seriously, you'd think that transit workers would be armed with flashlights or light sticks - especially the ones that work underground. The Transit Workers Union has been complaining that the MTA has lagged behind in preparing employees in case of an emergency (the MTA did distribute anti-terror booklets, though). As ever, the News tops off the story by saying the MTA doesn't think there's a policy against workers bringing the kits with them. It's time like these Gothamist is glad our boss will let us have a Go Bag in the office...even if we don't actually have a Go Bag. more ›

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As police investigate yesterday's morning subway platform rape at the 21st Street G stop in Long Island City, it turns out that a token booth clerk did see the suspect "pick up" the victim, but stayed in his token booth and pressed a panic button, which is standard procedure for NYC Transit workers. The NYC Transit spokesperson also added that a subway conductor saw the platform attack, but couldn't stop the train using emergency brakes because it would have injured passengers; the conductor did notify the Station Command Center. The NYC Transit said both workers acted "properly," and another transit source told the Daily News, "The clerk has no way of knowing if he's being set up." The Transit Workers Union said, "The clerk has no way of knowing if he's being set up," and stood behind the clerk staying in the booth, "Our agents are not police officer." more ›