MTA Opposes Cooling-Off Period in Labor Talks

County transit officials upped the ante in their labor dispute with three key unions Friday by announcing that they have asked the governor not to impose a two-month cooling-off period.

Contracts with unions representing about 7,000 bus and light rail drivers, mechanics and clerks expired Friday, and leaders of the groups have been authorized by their members to call a strike.

But Gov. Pete Wilson imposed a seven-day waiting period Wednesday while a panel of three retired judges attempted to resolve the dispute. If the judges decide by Wednesday that the negotiations are still deadlocked, the governor has the option of imposing a 60-day cooling-off period.

But MTA officials said they have asked Wilson not to exercise that option.

The unions are calling for raises and greater Metropolitan Transportation Authority contributions to their pension and health care plans. The MTA proposed freezing wages at this year’s levels and cutting contributions to benefits plans as part of a strategy to deal with a projected $126 million deficit for the 1994-95 fiscal year.

The United Transportation Union represents about 4,400 bus drivers, followed by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277, which represents about 1,900 mechanics, and the Transportation Communications Union Local 1315, which represents about 600 clerks.