Pay a sticking point with rail union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070610/NEWS01/706100344/1020/NEWS04

Pay a sticking point with rail union
By CAREN HALBFINGER
THE JOURNAL NEWS

(Original publication: June 10, 2007)

Metro-North Railroad riders could have their summer doldrums rocked by train trouble if the Metropolitan Transportation Authority doesn't reach an agreement with one remaining union that is seeking pay parity with the Long Island Rail Road for its members.

The 601 members of Teamsters Local 808, who repair and maintain tracks, buildings and bridges, continue to meet and negotiate with the MTA, but there is a limit to how long talks can go before the union can strike. That deadline is July 15.

Most of the railroad's other 16 unions recently resolved their contract disputes and all have contracts through June 15, 2010. The Teamsters' last three-year contract expired at the end of 2002. In the works is a new seven-year agreement.

Both sides said last week that they continue to meet and are optimistic that they can work out a deal by July 15.

But if they don't meet that mid-summer deadline, the Teamsters could legally strike, according to the rules of the Federal Railway Act, which govern them. And Teamster leader Chris Silvera said members of other railroad unions wouldn't cross their picket lines.

"We're having very positive discussions with the Teamsters and we remain optimistic we will reach a resolution before the deadline,'' said MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin.

FULL story at link.