December
18,
2003
CONTACT:
Bill Heard/Marc Littman
MTA MEDIA RELATIONS
(213) 922-7479/922-2700
www.metro.net/press/pressroom
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MTA,
Bus and Rail Operators Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
Tentative agreement has been reached on a new three-year labor contract between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the United Transportation Union, which represents 5,000 bus and rail operators.
Terms
of the settlement are being withheld pending a ratification meeting for the
Union's members. Subject to Union ratification, the MTA Board will consider
approval of the contract at its January Board meeting.
In
a joint statement, MTA Board Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky, CEO Roger Snoble and UTU
General Chairman James A. Williams said, "We are delighted that we have
been able to reach an agreement which is equitable to both parties. This is a
fair agreement for the employees, for the MTA and above all, for our 500,000
customers who depend on our public transit system."
Negotiations
reached their final stages in the last month. MTA negotiators, Chairman
Yaroslavsky and Board member Antonio Villaraigosa and UTU General Chairman James
Williams presided over the successful discussions.
MTA
Board member Antonio Villaraigosa said, "This agreement ensures that bus
and rail service will continue without interruption for the transit dependent
people of our region."
MTA-209