MTA Prepares Strike Contingency Plan

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials, who are negotiating a contract with unions representing train and bus drivers and mechanics and clerks, released a strike contingency plan Tuesday to prepare for any possible work stoppages.

The transportation agency says it has trained supervisors and non-union employees to be able to operate and maintain buses and trains as early as July 1.

The MTA has contract agreements through June 30 with the United Transportation Union, which represents 4,400 bus and train operators; the Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents more than 1,900 mechanics and service attendants, and the Transportation Communications Union, which represents more than 600 clerks.

MTA Chief Executive Officer Frank White said the agency has trained and certified 100 substitute bus and train operators.

Union officials initially requested a 3% raise as well as retaining a cost-of-living increase. MTA officials--who are considering a fare increase to help ease a $126-million operating deficit--oppose both demands.

In the event of a strike, the MTA plans to serve the 18 busiest lines. Officials will operate up to 50 buses during the first week, and gradually increase the number of buses to 250. The service will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Service on the Blue Line trolley, running between Long Beach and Downtown, and the Red Line subway will also continue during those hours.

Earl Clark, general chairman of the United Transportation Union, said: “We believe the interest of the public would be far better served if the MTA would concentrate its energies at the bargaining table.”