News

NEW YORK, NY January 31, 2006 —The executive board the Transport Workers Union will hold its first meeting today since members rejected their contract with the MTA by only seven votes. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

Union leaders have been plotting their next steps ever since the stunning rejection on January 20th. Today's meeting will be their first with the entire executive board, which includes several dissidents who campaigned against the contract.

Last week, the MTA asked the state to declare an impasse so the two sides could enter binding arbitration. It also said it wants a pension increase and other proposals the union opposes. Union President Roger Toussaint says he'll argue against binding arbitration because his members wouldn't get to vote up or down on a settlement.

A few dissidents even think arbitration could be grounds for a second strike. The union has until Friday to formally respond to the MTA's request.