11 replies to this topic

[NickG]

From the New York Daily News:

Roaring "strike, strike" thousands of transit workers authorized their leaders yesterday to call the first illegal, city-crippling walkout in 25 years.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

From the New York Times, 12/12/05:

Making Plans for a Strike, and Waiting

Businesses and schools have prepared contingency plans. The city's Office of Emergency Management is completing an update of its strike-preparation plan from three years ago, including reversing the direction of traffic on certain bridge and tunnel lanes; designating high-occupancy-vehicle lanes; and setting up staging areas for taxicabs and vans.

One day after subway and bus workers voted to authorize a strike, riders were left wondering how they would respond if this week ended with the first transit walkout since 1980.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

From the New York Times, 12/13/05:

New York City Sets Plan in Case of Transit Strike on Friday

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, warning that a transit strike would seriously hurt the city's economy, announced yesterday that only cars with at least four people would be allowed to enter Manhattan south of 96th Street on weekday mornings if bus and subway workers walk off the job on Friday.

The full story is here. Of note on page two of the article:

As the deadline approaches, some commuter lines are making emergency plans. For example, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to run PATH trains from the World Trade Center stop to 33rd Street in Midtown.

Lower Manhattan to Midtown via New Jersey--now that's an unusual route! Hey, if it stops at 14th Street, I may have to give this train a try.

[NickG]

From the New York Times, 12/13/05:

Commuter Railroads Scramble for Contingency Plans

What may once have been true of a Porsche is certainly true of New York City's fleet of subway trains and buses: There is no substitute. But with a strike possible in just three days, officials of the region's other transit providers are scrambling to fill in some of the gaps.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

Metro-North, LIRR, and the NYC Office of Emergency Management have all released contingency plans in the event of a transit strike. They're quite thorough, and in the case of the two commuter railroads, a little complicated. Click on the links above to get the details.

In addition, NYC public schools will begin classes two hours later than usual to give faculty and students extra time to navigate the expected transportation mess.

[CNJRoss]

Associated Press, 112/15; 8:29 pm EST:

NYC Transit Contract Standoff Intensifies

NEW YORK (AP) -- With a midnight deadline looming, the city transit agency and its bus and subway workers struggled to reach a new contract Thursday and avert a strike against the nation's biggest transit system at the height of the Christmas rush.

As of midafternoon, the two sides remained far apart, and leaders of both groups expressed frustration as the prospect of New York's first transit strike in more than 25 years seemed to grow.

Transit workers are barred by state law from striking. The workers could lose two days' pay for every day on strike, and the city is seeking much larger damages against the union and its individual members.

Continue here.

[NickG]

From 1010 WINS, 12/16/05:

The New York City transit union called for a strike Friday against two private bus lines after a night of intense bargaining failed to produce a deal -- a development that does not immediately affect the subways that shuttle millions of people each day.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

From the New York Times, 12/17/05:

New Transit Talks Set; Strike Is Put Off to Tuesday

Throwing New Yorkers off balance with fluid deadlines and rigid demands, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the transit workers' union broke off talks yesterday morning, leading the union to call a strike against two Queens bus companies on Monday and the whole system on Tuesday if no settlement is reached.

The full story is here.

[NickG]

From the New York Times, 12/17/05:

New Yorkers Wait for Word on How They'll Get to Work

The day after the strike deadline came and went, the day after the city went to bed not knowing what to expect, it seemed yesterday that New Yorkers had finally started to take the threat of a transit strike seriously. And they were not happy.

The full story is here.

[CNJRoss]

Associated Press, 12/17, 3:39 pm:

NYC Transit Workers Resume Labor Talks

NEW YORK (AP) -- Transit workers and the agency that runs the city's subways and buses returned to the bargaining table Saturday to try to hammer out a contract in time to avoid a strike at the height of the Christmas rush.

Talks between the 33,000-member Transit Workers Union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority resumed at a Manhattan hotel but broke off after less than four hours.

Continue here.