November
7,
2003
CONTACT:
Marc Littman
MTA MEDIA RELATIONS
(213) 922-4609/922-2700
www.metro.net/press/pressroom
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement by MTA CEO Roger Snoble
MTA's response to ATU members' contract vote
November 7, 2003
The MTA is disappointed by the decision of the mechanic's
union to reject our last, best and final offer.
The MTA's wages and benefits offer to the mechanics,
amounting to more than $30 million over the contract period, is more than fair,
given the economic challenges facing state and local governments.
Our proposal includes:
more than a 5% wage increase.
an immediate $4.7 million to help the union's failing
Health and Welfare Trust Fund, with additional contributions of 14%, 15%,
and 15% for active employees each of the next three years.
contributions for retirees under age 65 remain at $533 and
over age 65 remain at $142 per month.
The MTA will hold the line. There are no additional funds
to be put on the table. Further concessions would result in service cuts, fare
increases and job losses.
The MTA will not agree to the union's demand for binding
arbitration. The Board of Directors cannot abdicate its fiduciary duty to set
policy and protect public resources to an unelected, unaccountable arbitrator.
We value our employees and want them back to work.
The MTA urges the union members to reconsider their
decision in light of the tremendous harm their strike is inflicting to hundreds
of thousands of County residents and to the members and their families who have
already lost thousands of dollars in wages.
MTA-174