Contract Update

As you would expect, the holidays put a major slow down on the momentum we had in negotiating the MSII and OA/Queens contracts. Additionally, one of the key factors we are negotiating, is fixing the 5 year pay progression, pay disparity. This one issue alone has caused us to have several discussions which sends the Authority back to the top for direction from their leadership. Plus every demand we put on the table that may be agreeable causes Labor Relations to go back and cost out whether or not it fits into the overall package of our agreements.

On The MSII contract we are pretty close but there are some important Departmental issues that need to be discussed further with some key people in the Dept. of Subways and Labor Relations. We need all of them together at one meeting and this has caused a bit of a delay but we are working through that and are still talking on other open issues. The five year pay progression is not an issue in the MSII contract.

The OA/Queens contracts like the MSII contract, we are not too far apart. Now that the holidays are over negotiations are getting back on track and we are meeting next week.

The MTA Bus contract, as I said from day one, we are holding back a bit for now but once we get the OA/Queens final contract structure in place I believe we will be able to present our demands and come to an agreement very quickly.

I want to thank you for your patience and please know, settling ALL of the contracts is my number one priority, but it takes two to make an agreement and we are never what’s causing a delay.