"The MTA is ready to negotiate. We agreed to binding arbitration months ago and are open to finding solutions that could deliver some of the extra wages the unions are seeking in exchange for more efficient work rules the very same approach that resolved the recent New Jersey Transit strike. But so far, the unions have resisted changes to their byzantine work requirements, which are among the driving factors behind LIRR's hefty overtime spending."
"We have already highly paid engineers getting an extra day's pay (or two or three!) if they operate a diesel and electric locomotive on the same day or just move a train around in the yard at the end of their shift. These crazy rules cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and we are prepared to buy them out at a fair price to put an end to that nonsense once and for all."
An LIRR strike would wipe out service for almost 300,000 daily riders and damage the regional economy. The walkout could still occur in January or next spring after a requested federal mediation. The MTA agreed to binding arbitration and offers to exchange more efficient work rules for higher wages, mirroring the approach that ended the New Jersey Transit strike. Unions have resisted changes to complex work rules that drive hefty overtime costs. Engineers can receive extra pay for operating diesel and electric locomotives the same day or for yard moves. The MTA proposes buyouts to eliminate costly rules. On-time performance exceeds 97% and weekday ridership topped 288,000, while subways saw 26.8 million riders the week of September 8.
Read at www.amny.com
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