NYC transit deadline past, no strike or talks
{{date|December 16, 2005}}
[[Image:NYCSub A car exterior.jpg|thumb|right|An A-Train at Beach 67<sup>th</sup> St.]]
Talks between the [[w:Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York)|MTA]] and [http://www.twulocal100.org Transit Workers Union Local 100] (TWU) ended this morning at 06:00 EST (11:00 UTC) with no resolution or job action.  The latest offer in the now bitter negotiation was from MTA:  3% pay increases per year in a three-year contract with changes in the health benefits and pension plan for new employees.

In a 12:30 EST (17:30 UTC) press conference, MTA President [[w:Peter Kalikow|Peter Kalikow]] told the press that this would be the final offer the MTA would make because "there is no more."  Kalikow continued that the MTA would be in dire straits in 2008 if they were to accept the TWU's demands, which included a 24% pay increase over three years and a reduced co-pay towards employees' health care premiums.  He continued, "if they [the TWU] don't accept it, we will go to binding arbitration.  This is our last offer."

Although most New Yorkers were geared up for a strike when the contract expired at 00:01 EST (05:01 UTC), the subways and busses continued to run their routes.  An [[w:Associated Press|AP]] report, later [http://http://twulocal100.org/?q=node/525 confirmed] by the TWU, calls for a limited strike with two deadlines:  One at 00:01 EST Monday for the [http://www.jamaicabus.com/ Jamaica] and [http://www.triborocoach.com/ Triboro] bus lines, and one at 00:01 EST Tuesday for MTA [[w:New York City Subway|subways]] and [[w:MTA New York City Transit buses|busses]].  

Because they are run by private companies, a strike by the Jamaica and Triboro bus employees would not be subject to New York's Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from striking and fines strikers two times their salary for each day the strike lasts.

Mayor [[w:Michael Bloomberg|Michael Bloomberg]] commented that had the union begun its strike this morning, it would not have been as "damaging" as a Tuesday-morning strike.  He also added "I thought that the MTA offer was more generous than what the municipal emplyees get offered."  Governor [[w:George Pataki|George Pataki]] reminded the union that the Taylor Law would be applied: "As I said yesterday, I have three words for the TWU: 'Don't do it.' If you strike, there will be very real consequences."

No talks were held today.  Bargaining sessions are scheduled to resume tomorrow morning at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Manhattan.

== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://1010wins.com/topstories/local_story_350100722.html
|title= Strike Watch Update
|author=
|pub=1010 WINS-AM
|date=December 16, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TRANSIT_TALKS?SITE=WNYC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
|title= NYC Transit Union, MTA to Resume Talks
|author=Associated Press
|pub=WNYC.org
|date=December 16, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.wnyc.org/news/articles/55139
|title= Private Bus Line May Be in Strike Vanguard
|author= Fred Mogul
|pub= WNYC.org
|date=December 16, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://twulocal100.org/?q=node/525
|title= Times: N.Y. Transit Union Rejects Offer and Calls a Limited Strike
|author=New York Times (?)
|pub=Transit Workers Union Local 100
|date=December 16, 2005}}

== Related Stories ==
* [[NYC Transit Strike Looming]] - December 15, 2005
* [[NYC's transit workers approve strike authorization]] - December 11, 2005

{{publish}}
{{archive}}

[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:New York]]
[[Category:New York, New York]]
[[Category:NYC transit negotiations of 2005]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Michael Bloomberg]]
[[Category:George Pataki]]
[[Category:Labor]]
An A-Train at Beach 67th St.
Talks between the MTA and  Transit Workers Union Local 100 (TWU) ended this morning at 06:00 EST (11:00 UTC) with no resolution or job action.  The latest offer in the now bitter negotiation was from MTA:  3% pay increases per year in a three-year contract with changes in the health benefits and pension plan for new employees.

In a 12:30 EST (17:30 UTC) press conference, MTA President Peter Kalikow told the press that this would be the final offer the MTA would make because "there is no more."  Kalikow continued that the MTA would be in dire straits in 2008 if they were to accept the TWU's demands, which included a 24% pay increase over three years and a reduced co-pay towards employees' health care premiums.  He continued, "if they the TWU don't accept it, we will go to binding arbitration.  This is our last offer."

Although most New Yorkers were geared up for a strike when the contract expired at 00:01 EST (05:01 UTC), the subways and busses continued to run their routes.  An AP report, later  confirmed by the TWU, calls for a limited strike with two deadlines:  One at 00:01 EST Monday for the  Jamaica and  Triboro bus lines, and one at 00:01 EST Tuesday for MTA subways and busses.  

Because they are run by private companies, a strike by the Jamaica and Triboro bus employees would not be subject to New York's Taylor Law, which prohibits public employees from striking and fines strikers two times their salary for each day the strike lasts.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg commented that had the union begun its strike this morning, it would not have been as "damaging" as a Tuesday-morning strike.  He also added "I thought that the MTA offer was more generous than what the municipal emplyees get offered."  Governor George Pataki reminded the union that the Taylor Law would be applied: "As I said yesterday, I have three words for the TWU: 'Don't do it.' If you strike, there will be very real consequences."

No talks were held today.  Bargaining sessions are scheduled to resume tomorrow morning at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Manhattan.

*

*

*
North America United States New York New York, New York NYC transit negotiations of 2005 Politics and conflicts Michael Bloomberg George Pataki Labor