News

February 10, 2006 —Despite recent talks, the Transport Workers Union and the MTA seem no closer to a deal than they were when the union rejected its contract last month by 7 votes. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

The union says the latest discussions have been more about process than substance - with no formal negotiations. President Roger Toussaint says things are moving slowly. Meanwhile, the state's Public Employment Relations Board has granted the union a two week extension, to respond to the MTA's request for binding arbitration.

The transit union opposes arbitration and the deadline for submitting its arguments had been yesterday. But sources say the union needs more time to review its previous demands in case the labor board DOES order an outside panel to settle the contract.

Meanwhile, both the union and the MTA are preparing for that possibility; they've both chosen their representatives for arbitration.