On Sun, 11 Dec 2005 20:24:41 GMT, " torresD" <torresd30@hotmail.com>
wrote:

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=55543
Transit Workers overwhelmingly
voted to authorize a walkout if
a new contract isn't in place
by midnight Thursday at a meeting
at the Javits Center Saturday afternoon.

The vote gives the union's executive
board the power to call for a job
action if negotiators don't reach
a new deal by the time their contract
runs out at midnight December 15th.

The union says workers are prepared
to walk off the job at 12:01 a.m.
on Friday,

even though to do so would be illegal.

More than 5,000 members of the
Transport Workers Union authorized
a strike by a show of hands at the meeting.

The TWU is demanding a 3-year contract
with a 24 percent wage raise over three
years.

The MTA has offered a 5
percent raise over two years,
which the union voted to reject
Saturday.

In addition to a new contract
for subway and bus workers,
the union is also demanding a
new contract for hundreds of
members who work for the city's
private bus lines,

which are currently in the
process of being absorbed
by the MTA.

The union is also making its
case to riders through radio ads,

claiming their safety is compromised
when the MTA treats its workers unfairly.

One of the ads says:

"Security alert levels are still high,
but the MTA is taking conductors of trains
and closing token booths,

and installing turn-stiles
that make emergency evacuation
very difficult."

The MTA put a two-year deal on
the table Wednesday, offering a
3 percent raise in the first year
and a 2 percent raise in the second year.

But, that 2 percent hike would be
contingent on reducing sick leave.

The MTA is also asking for some givebacks,
including health care premiums for new hires,
and a higher retirement age for new workers.

A union leader called the deal an insult,
but an MTA negotiator says he thinks things
can still be worked out.

As part of a new contract,

the agency wants some
employees to pick up additional
tasks - an idea the union opposes.

The union says the MTA's attempts
to increase productivity are only
decreasing morale.

Union leaders agreed they will
meet again next Thursday night,
when their contract expires,
to consider the MTA's final offer.

Lawyers for all sides were in court
in Brooklyn Friday and are due back
on Monday.

It's still possible NYC Transit
will seek an injunction blocking
the TWU from striking or inciting
a strike.

For that to happen,
the union would have to be
served with papers by Sunday.

It's been 25 years since the
city's last transit strike,
but there have been close calls,
as recently as 2002.