MTA union says no strike looms as contract set to expire
TWU members protested the MTA's "unfair" contract offer last month (Marc Beja) Credit: TWU members protested the MTA's "unfair" contract offer last month (Marc Beja)
Even if the MTA and the Transport Workers Union don't reach a contract agreement by their Sunday deadline, straphangers shouldn't worry about a transit strike, sources from both sides said Thursday.
Sources told amNewYork the negotiations are going amicably, even though the MTA says it has no money for wage increases over the next three years and TWU president John Samuelsen has "dug in" against a pay freeze. Both sides doubted a deal would be finished in time.
A union source said a big reason negotiations are still ongoing is because the state senate only approved the MTA's new chief, Joe Lhota, on Monday night.
The union has planned a rally for Sunday, but says it won't strike, as it did for three days in 2005.
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