News

NEW YORK, NY December 13, 2005 —Lawyers for both the MTA and Transit Workers Union Local 100 will return to court today. A judge is considering arguments on whether to issue a court order to stop a potential subway and bus strike. Another MTA matter was in court yesterday: the transit authority's plan to remove conductors from L trains hit another roadblock. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

A state supreme court judge found the transit authority violated its contract with the union by removing conductors from the L line. The ruling upholds an earlier decision by an arbitor. The TA had taken conductors off the line over the summer during weekends and evenings in preparation for one person operated L trains. But they were sent back to work in the fall as the transit authority appealed the order.

Yesterday's ruling could weaken the MTA's effort to make conductors roam through subway cars instead of opening and closing doors - a change that's fiercely opposed by the union in contract negotiations.

The MTA argues conductors would still act as eyes and ears on the trains. But the union says the trains would only be operated by one person, which is illegal under the court ruling.

Meanwhile, as the contract deadline approaches, the MTA and the city are waiting a separate ruling on their request for an injunction blocking an illegal strike.

The city comptroller's office estimates that a transit strike would cost New York City more than $200 million a day in lost economic activity and productivity.