The New York City-MTA Transit Worker's Union Discussions:

January 14-2006:


The New York City-MTA & Transit Workers Union Discussions:

I don't know what is the final deal between The New York City-MTA & The Transit Union on the contract agreement. But I will say this!
It is not easy to sit at a bargaining table with a big corporation, which is also influenced and helped by the State, in a collective bargaining process. After all, some of the board's appointees of that corporation, are appointed by the state.

In that situation, outside politics and political posturing will always play a role in determining which way that corporation will bend, in the final decisions it makes in these discussions. The New York MTA is one of those corporations that the workers' union have to deal with.
No worker's contract is ever totally satisfactory to all of the workers concerned. But it must be understood, that if you have representatives whom you elect to deal with your collective issues at the corporate level. Then some amount of confidence and resolve should be given for their efforts on your behalf.

I urge you to sign the current contract. The collective action made by all the workers recently, was a noble and bold statement. It is not often the 'rights of the workers vs the power of the state,' gets national support or approval in our culture.

If this matter goes to Arbitration, chances are that whatever decision/s is made by the Arbitrator, would be legally binding to all parties involved.
And that too, may not necessarily be satisfactory to everyone!

Om Shanti.
Derryck S. Griffith.
former
Branch Secretary & Shop Steward.
A.T.&.G.W.U.