Oct. 18 - The MTA doesn't want to say too much too soon, but they have already tipped their hand.

They don't ever use the word GIVEBACK, but it is not hard to look behind the corporate doubletalk and see what their proposals really mean - givebacks. Take a look at the MTA 3-Point proposal.

I. Efficiencies:

The MTA wants to “Improve efficiency through title consolidation and similar means.” That means broadbanding and the loss of job titles and picks.

The MTA wants to “Increase efforts to improve employee availability.” That means tougher time and attendance rules and more disciplines and threats.

The MTA wants to “Further advance MTA wide surface integration.” That means Regional Bus.

II. Constrain Growth in Health Care Costs:

That means making transit workers pay more or get less. And it means making sure retirees don't get more.
III. Long Term Efficiencies:

They want a new pension tier for new hires with retirement at age 62.

They want all new employees to pay health benefit premiums.

Givebacks by any other name are still Givebacks.

The MTA wants to make life harder on the job for this generation of transit workers.

The MTA wants to keep a tight lid on needed health care benefits for generations of retired transit workers.

The MTA wants to reduce benefits for the next generation of transit workers. They are already trying to force thousands of dollars in uncapped health premium increases on all new hires at Metro North.

Past, Present and Future. The MTA's initial proposal attacks all three.