Effort to End MTA Strike Halted Negotiations Instead

One of the propositions state representatives put on the table shortly before talks between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its drivers collapsed this week was 10 hours’ pay for 10 hours work--a common-sensical concept just about everywhere but in the complex world of big city transit.

In the transit world, particularly in Los Angeles, the proposal is fairly radical, for current rules applying to workers on split shifts do just the opposite, requiring bus and rail operators to put in 10- or 11-hour days, with only 8 of those hours paid.

Thus, on that particular issue, two powerful state officials who have been trying to end the 14-day-old strike against the MTA, took the side of the United Transportation Union, which represents 4,400 striking bus and rail operators.

But on other issues, the state officials--Assemblyman Herb Wesson (D-Culver City) and Stephen Smith, director of the state Department of Industrial Relations--came down on the side of management’s goal of adding more part-time drivers and reducing overtime.

Under the nonbinding plan put together by Wesson and Smith, a copy of which has been obtained by The Times, the MTA would be allowed to add as many as 200 more part-time drivers, to enable some part-time drivers to work weekend relief and to expand the number of hours part-time employees can work each week. All are important departures from the drivers’ most recent contract.

The proposals were among the 12 specific suggestions offered by the two state officials in an effort to break an impasse between the MTA and the bus and rail operators’ union. But rather than initiating progress, the proposals triggered the abrupt collapse of the talks when transit agency negotiators rejected them, infuriating drivers’ union officials.

There have been no bargaining talks since the negotiations broke down Tuesday, leaving no end in sight for a strike that has left 450,000 weekday MTA bus riders with few transportation alternatives. With nearly all the MTA’s buses idle, along with a shutdown of the Red Line subway and Blue Line light-rail line, the impact of the strike is being seen in high absentee rates at some businesses, clinics, public schools and community colleges. Motorists in the Greater Los Angeles area are also complaining about longer commutes and more traffic on freeways.

Efforts to get the two sides together failed once again Thursday, when James A. Williams, leader of the United Transportation Union, was given a letter from Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, the MTA board chairwoman, with three conditions that she said she wanted the union to meet. Williams told aides he was called to a meeting with Brenda L. Diederichs, with the intent of agreeing on a way to resume talks, but instead was given the letter.

In the letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Times, Burke asks Williams for “a comprehensive proposal outlining what the union leaders require to end this strike.”

Burke also asked the union to agree to call in a federal mediator.

Apparently not satisfied with Wesson, Smith and two state mediators who have been participating in the talks, Burke said: “We believe a seasoned expert in mediation, with a background in the transit industry, can help move these negotiations along before we reach an impasse.”

The third condition was that striking drivers, along with mechanics, clerical workers and supervisors who are honoring picket lines, return to work while the negotiations continue.

“Mr. Williams indicated he would work on a comprehensive proposal,” said Goldy Norton, a spokesman for the United Transportation Union. “He absolutely refused the idea of a federal mediator, and he absolutely refused the idea of having employees come back to work during this period.”

Attempts to obtain comment from Burke were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, plans continued for a labor rally outside City Hall todayat 11 a.m., designed to pressure Mayor Richard Riordan to intervene in the negotiations and try to end the strike.

Riordan, who controls four of 13 seats on the MTA governing board, has so far maintained a strong bargaining position with other board members.

Burke’s call for a federal mediator came after the blowup over the state negotiators’ proposals.

The negotiators’ proposals, printed on a single sheet of paper, were rejected, according to Burke, because the rail and bus operators union didn’t sign off on it.

Representatives Offer Specific Proposals

Union negotiators said they were willing to use the document as a basis for contract talks, although they are opposed to several of its recommendations.

Some of the bargaining points are specific and detailed, down to the number of minutes drivers will get for inspections before their runs.

The MTA would not respond to the specific proposals, although officials clearly felt the plan was weighted toward the unions.

Some of the state representatives’ proposals:

* As many as 120 drivers would be allowed to work four-day weeks, 10 hours a day, with no split time. Currently, split shifts require 11 hours on duty for 8 hours’ pay. The MTA, in an effort to reduce overtime, asked for four-day workweeks, 10-hour days, with 12 to 13 hours required on duty.

* Pre-trip inspection time would be reduced by seven minutes.

* A maximum of 135 entry-level drivers, paid $8 to $10 an hour, would be allowed.

* The MTA would make 33 payments into the union’s health insurance fund over 36 months, rather than 30.

* The number of part-time workers would increase by as many as 200. The union would be required to allow part-time drivers to work as relief for split-shift drivers on weekends, a key overtime period for veteran full-time drivers.

Smith, a Cabinet level member of the Davis administration, was not available for comment Thursday.

Dean Fryer, a spokesman for the state Department of Industrial Relations, said that state mediators are standing by ready and available for a resumption of talks.

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Transportation Options

The public should not count on the MTA to operate any of its own bus or rail service today, according to MTA officials. None of the Red Line subway trains will be operating from the San Fernando Valley and Mid-City to Union Station. No service is planned on the Blue Line between Long Beach and Los Angeles or the Green Line between Norwalk and El Segundo. Here are some options:

* MTA BUSES: The MTA operated 94 buses along 14 lines Thursday under contract with private bus companies. The lines in operation were: 96, 125, 128, 130, 167, 177, 205, 225, 226, 232, 254, 256, 266 and 270. Lines 218, 603 and 605 have been operating only on weekends. The MTA said its ability to maintain a limited schedule will depend on strike developments.

In addition to the regular customer service numbers, (800) COMMUTE and (800) 286 RIDE, the MTA has added another, (213) 626-4455. Customers can also check the Web site at https://www.mta.net.

A consumer group set up an all- purpose information Web site to provide information on different bus lines. The Web site is https://www.socaltip.org.

* NON-MTA BUS LINES: Foothill, Long Beach, Torrance and Norwalk Transit, Metrolink, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and the city of Los Angeles (DASH, Community Connections, Commuter Express and Smart Shuttles) are honoring MTA bus passes.

The Los Angeles County Municipal Operators Coalition’s 16 bus agencies are providing additional service: Foothill Transit added five morning trips to its service to downtown Los Angeles originating from the Pomona Fairplex and four evening trips originating from 9th and Figueroa streets in downtown. With pickets surrounding the entrance to the El Monte bus station, riders can catch a Foothill Transit bus to downtown Los Angeles two blocks east of Santa Anita on the north side of Ramona Boulevard. Call (800) RIDE INFO, or visit Foothill’s Web site at https://www.foothilltransit.org. Torrance Transit added additional service to and from downtown Los Angeles; Gardena Municipal Bus Line is operating additional services on its Lines 1 and 2 and will accept MTA tokens; Montebello Bus Line is providing additional service to East Los Angeles on Line 10 and added trips on Lines 40 and 50 to downtown Los Angeles.

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METROLINK: Metrolink, the commuter rail service that runs trains to downtown Los Angeles from Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and Orange counties, is honoring MTA monthly, semimonthly and weekly passes, as well as passes for seniors, disabled riders and students.

“Red Line Special” buses provided by the MTA and Metrolink operate weekdays from the Metro Bus Plaza at Union Station. The stops are at each Metro Red Line station from Union Station to Westlake/MacArthur Park, with two additional stops at 4th and Hill streets and at 9th and Hill streets, marked with special signs (see map). Shuttles continue from Westlake/MacArthur Park to Wilshire/Vermont, Vermont/Beverly, Vermont/Santa Monica, Vermont/Sunset, Vermont/Hollywood. Signs and Metrolink personnel direct passengers to the bus plaza area at Union Station to board the buses.

Metrolink commuters can call (800) COMMUTE for information on ride-sharing options. Commuters can obtain updates by calling (800) 371-LINK, or visit Metrolink’s Web site at https://www.metrolinktrains.com.