Posts tagged Metro-North Railroad
Opinion: TALKING TRANSPORTATION: Union Power and the Potential Strike at Metro-North
August 8, 2023 // The union, which represents car inspectors, coach cleaners and mechanics has been without a contract since 2019 and says MTA management is dragging its heels on a new contract. The union has entered mediation through the Railroad Labor Act but says the first round did not go well. Under New York State law the union does have the right to strike and that would pretty much halt train service. But the effect of that might be far less in these post-COVID times as we’ve all learned how to WFH (work from home). This labor unrest comes as the MTA admits it paid $1.3 billion in overtime last year. About 1100 of its employees doubled their salaries with OT. There are mechanics and MTA cops taking home over $300,000 due to extra duty. Under their contracts, available overtime must first be offered to the most senior (and highest paid) staffers so those veterans, closest to retirement, are raking it in.
Potential rail union strike could shut down Metro-North this fall
July 11, 2023 // The union said trains cannot function without inspectors, which means a potential strike could disrupt the commute of many Metro-North Railroad riders. In a recent tweet, the TWU of America said the vote to approve a strike upon release from mediation was nearly unanimous. The tweet also said, “Make no mistake, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is on a strike trajectory at the nation's second largest commuter rail system."