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CNN Live At Daybreak
New York City Transit Strike That Isn't
Aired December 16, 2002 - 05:31 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: Let's talk more about that New York City transit strike that isn't. But if it does happen, it could be crippling, as Chad said. More than seven million commuters would be affected. But the city says it has some contingency plans in place. If there is a strike, officials may require Monday through Friday 24 hour high occupancy lanes. The city may also allow only high occupancy vehicles on bridges and tunnels. In addition, New York may use lane reversals during rush hour and the city may open car pool staging areas.
And as commuters begin heading off to work this morning, Jason Carroll joins us live again from Manhattan.
No contingency plans necessary now -- Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And thank goodness for that. I know that's what a lot of New Yorkers are feeling. Last week one new year, New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, went out and bought a mountain bike. He said he planned to ride it every single day to city hall if there was to be some sort of a strike. Fortunately, he will be able to take the subway, like millions of other New Yorkers, this morning.
Negotiations are continuing even right now. Last night, just before a midnight strike deadline, the head of the union that represents the city's buses and subway workers came out and said that enough progress had been made to stay at the bargaining table.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ED WATT, TWU SECRETARY-TREASURER: We have made sufficient progress to stop the clock. This progress has been made primarily in the non-economic areas of dignity and respect for our members.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: One of the troubling negotiating points has to do with money. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, that is the entity that oversees the union, says it doesn't have enough money for a pay increase. We should also point out that it is illegal for public workers in the State of New York to strike and if those, if there is a strike, the union and its union members would be facing heavy fines.
But fines were not enough to avert a strike the last time New York City saw one. That was back in 1980. That strike lasting for 11 days. Many New Yorkers had to walk or bike their way to work, many taking the daily trek across the Brooklyn Bridge in order to get back into the city.
But as we said, at this point, Carol, both sides are still at the bargaining table, still talking and that at least is one good sign out of all of this -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Definitely a good sign.
Jason Carroll, thanks.
Our Web site, of course, is all over this story. You can read up on the talks between New York transit workers union and management by clicking onto cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN.
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 16, 2002 - 05:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk more about that New York City transit strike that isn't. But if it does happen, it could be crippling, as Chad said. More than seven million commuters would be affected. But the city says it has some contingency plans in place. If there is a strike, officials may require Monday through Friday 24 hour high occupancy lanes. The city may also allow only high occupancy vehicles on bridges and tunnels. In addition, New York may use lane reversals during rush hour and the city may open car pool staging areas.
And as commuters begin heading off to work this morning, Jason Carroll joins us live again from Manhattan.
No contingency plans necessary now -- Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And thank goodness for that. I know that's what a lot of New Yorkers are feeling. Last week one new year, New York City's mayor, Michael Bloomberg, went out and bought a mountain bike. He said he planned to ride it every single day to city hall if there was to be some sort of a strike. Fortunately, he will be able to take the subway, like millions of other New Yorkers, this morning.
Negotiations are continuing even right now. Last night, just before a midnight strike deadline, the head of the union that represents the city's buses and subway workers came out and said that enough progress had been made to stay at the bargaining table.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ED WATT, TWU SECRETARY-TREASURER: We have made sufficient progress to stop the clock. This progress has been made primarily in the non-economic areas of dignity and respect for our members.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: One of the troubling negotiating points has to do with money. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, that is the entity that oversees the union, says it doesn't have enough money for a pay increase. We should also point out that it is illegal for public workers in the State of New York to strike and if those, if there is a strike, the union and its union members would be facing heavy fines.
But fines were not enough to avert a strike the last time New York City saw one. That was back in 1980. That strike lasting for 11 days. Many New Yorkers had to walk or bike their way to work, many taking the daily trek across the Brooklyn Bridge in order to get back into the city.
But as we said, at this point, Carol, both sides are still at the bargaining table, still talking and that at least is one good sign out of all of this -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Definitely a good sign.
Jason Carroll, thanks.
Our Web site, of course, is all over this story. You can read up on the talks between New York transit workers union and management by clicking onto cnn.com, AOL keyword: CNN.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
