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NEW YORK, NY April 26, 2006 —Despite the pleas of union members, the MTA board declined to consider ratifying the contract deal that was approved by the Transport Workers Union on a revote this month. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more.

REPORTER: Members of the Transport Workers Union were hoping to pressure the MTA into accepting the same deal that was narrowly rejected by the rank and file in January, now that it's been approved on a revote. But neither that vote, nor the jailing of union head Roger Toussaint for December's strike, earned the union any sympathy with MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow.

KALIKOW: They have no right to push that deal in its exact form down our throat as we have a right to push a deal down their throat.

REPORTER: The union's second in command, Ed Watt, called Kalikow's comments provocative and insulting. The two sides are now in binding arbitration. But the TWU claims the MTA is obligated to vote on the contract and it’s considering legal action.