Union Official: NYC Transit Deal Reached

WASHINGTON POST ^ | 16 dec 2002 | Deepti Hajela

[flamefront]

NEW YORK -- Transit and union negotiators reached a tentative agreement Monday that would spare the nation's largest city a strike shutting down subways and buses and stranding 7 million daily riders, a spokesman for the union said.

Union spokesman Chris Fleming would not confirm details of the deal, but government sources familiar with the talks said it would include a lump-sum payment to workers in the first year, with 2 percent to 3 percent raises in each of the next two years tied to productivity.

The lump sum would be equivalent to just under 2 percent, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

[laurav]

So... where does this fit in with the proposed $.50 increase? Is that still going to happen?

[laurav]

And one more thought... if all the TWU got out of their posturing was a 2% raise, they need to elect a new union head... that's what, the inflation rate?

[flamefront]

Right, sure seems like a marginal deal. Was it all just political? Where is Hillary? I have not been watching closely but maybe some New Yorkers can comment ...

[John,Staten Island]

I give this win to the city.The 800 dollars after taxes isn't much,just a little something for the union to save face.There were other issues but 2% a year is embarrassing after all the rhetoric.

[TheBattman]

What, exactly, were they ready to strike for?? Just more $$ --- who wouldn't like more $$$.

Of course, being a public "service", the taxpayers will pay for whatever raise they get.

[newwahoo]

I made my debut on the street pulling traffic for the NYPD today. Any FReepers see me and my fellow rookies in our traffic vests on Madison this morning?

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

I wish the unions would have shut down on this one. They'd have lost big on this one in public opinion.