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CNN Sunday Morning

NYC Transit Workers Threaten to Strike

Aired December 15, 2002 - 09:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As we reported before, getting to work or school tomorrow could be a nightmare for New York commuters. Transit workers have threatened to strike if they don't have a contract deal by midnight. CNN's Jason Carroll is in New York. He has the latest.
Any new developments, Jason?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, contract negotiations are still going on, but we're still being told, at this point, there have been no movement in terms of the -- between the MTA and the union.

Obviously, a number of tourists come to New York City this time of year, it being the holiday season, many of them wondering exactly how they're going to get about town. We have a few of them with us right now. We've got the Baines (ph) here; they're in from London, just got in last night. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez; they're from California. I'm going to start over here with the folks from London.

What are they telling you at the hotel about the strike and how you might be able to get around?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We haven't heard anything yet. We saw it on the news last night on the TV, but no news from the hotel, no.

CARROLL: So, what are your plans? What are you thinking?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we're going to walk a lot.

CARROLL: Well, it's cold in London, you're probably used to walking in this type of weather.

I'm sure, you two, are not used to walking in this type of weather, being from California. Have you made any contingency plans for the strike, if it should happen?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we're going to be spending most of today cramming Monday's and Tuesday's events into today, trying to get around on the metro. And a concern for us is going to be also our way back to the airport on Tuesday, late Tuesday.

CARROLL: What are you thinking about trying to get back to the airport if there should be a strike?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's up to him. He's the boss. CARROLL: I see.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I only follow.

CARROLL: Well, the city is asking everyone to be patient during this strike, if it should happen. Do you think you could live with that? Just be a little patient?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We may be here a long time, if we can't make it back to the airport.

CARROLL: All right, thanks very much. Really appreciate it, both of you, thanks for joining us very much.

Mayor Bloomberg saying that a strike could cost the city anywhere between $100 and $350 million, each day. You can do the numbers there on that one, Carol. So, obviously, a lot of people are hoping somehow, some way, a strike can be averted.

Back to you.

COSTELLO: We hope so. Thank you very much, Jason Carroll.

CHARLES MOLINEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Jason. That would be a nightmare.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 15, 2002 - 09:11   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: As we reported before, getting to work or school tomorrow could be a nightmare for New York commuters. Transit workers have threatened to strike if they don't have a contract deal by midnight. CNN's Jason Carroll is in New York. He has the latest.
Any new developments, Jason?

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, contract negotiations are still going on, but we're still being told, at this point, there have been no movement in terms of the -- between the MTA and the union.

Obviously, a number of tourists come to New York City this time of year, it being the holiday season, many of them wondering exactly how they're going to get about town. We have a few of them with us right now. We've got the Baines (ph) here; they're in from London, just got in last night. Also, Mr. and Mrs. Gonzalez; they're from California. I'm going to start over here with the folks from London.

What are they telling you at the hotel about the strike and how you might be able to get around?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We haven't heard anything yet. We saw it on the news last night on the TV, but no news from the hotel, no.

CARROLL: So, what are your plans? What are you thinking?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think we're going to walk a lot.

CARROLL: Well, it's cold in London, you're probably used to walking in this type of weather.

I'm sure, you two, are not used to walking in this type of weather, being from California. Have you made any contingency plans for the strike, if it should happen?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, we're going to be spending most of today cramming Monday's and Tuesday's events into today, trying to get around on the metro. And a concern for us is going to be also our way back to the airport on Tuesday, late Tuesday.

CARROLL: What are you thinking about trying to get back to the airport if there should be a strike?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's up to him. He's the boss. CARROLL: I see.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I only follow.

CARROLL: Well, the city is asking everyone to be patient during this strike, if it should happen. Do you think you could live with that? Just be a little patient?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We may be here a long time, if we can't make it back to the airport.

CARROLL: All right, thanks very much. Really appreciate it, both of you, thanks for joining us very much.

Mayor Bloomberg saying that a strike could cost the city anywhere between $100 and $350 million, each day. You can do the numbers there on that one, Carol. So, obviously, a lot of people are hoping somehow, some way, a strike can be averted.

Back to you.

COSTELLO: We hope so. Thank you very much, Jason Carroll.

CHARLES MOLINEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Jason. That would be a nightmare.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com