Governor Calls for Probe of MTA Standoff
Gov. Gray Davis on Thursday called for an investigation of the contract standoff between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and its bus and train drivers.
The request is the first step toward forcing a cooling-off period.
Davis called for the creation of a three-person panel to probe issues involved in the talks, which have stalled over wages and health benefits. The panel, to be headed by UCLA law professor Benjamin Aaron, has until July 19 to report back to Davis.
Once he receives the report, he can legally call for a 60-day cooling-off period to prevent the union from striking or the MTA from locking out drivers.
The drivers union, operating without a contract since June 30, recently petitioned Davis for the probe, arguing a work stoppage was imminent.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, the MTA board chairman, said he did not think a probe or a cooling-off period was necessary because the talks had not reached a dead end.
The MTA’s mechanics union is also operating without a contract. The transit agency is honoring the terms of old contracts as talks continue. Workers for both unions have authorized their leadership to call a strike if needed.
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