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CNN Live At Daybreak
Transit Workers Union Has Stopped Clock on Strike
Aired December 16, 2002 - 05:02 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: Now for details on our top story, the Transit Workers Union has stopped the clock on a strike of New York City's bus and subway service. The announcement comes just before a midnight deadline to walk off the job. The last time New York transit workers struck was the spring of 1980. That walkout lasted 11 days. Another strike was averted three years ago. This time union workers are seeking salary increases of six percent for each of the next three years. Management has offered no raise the first year and linked future raises to productivity.
Now, an estimated seven million people use the public transit system in New York City each day. Thirty-four thousand transit workers would be affected by a strike and a strike could cost the city up to $350 million every single day.
So, relieved commuters are heading off to their bus and subway stops this morning.
But our Jason Carroll is already at work for us. He joins us from the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge -- good morning, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Carol.
New Yorkers are basically in a holding pattern. Many went to bed last night not sure what to expect when they woke up this morning. But as you said, negotiations are continuing. The union that represents the city's buses and subway workers came out just before the midnight deadline last night and said enough progress has been made to at least keep talking.
(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: The sticking point in all this, of course, has to do with money. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority -- that is the entity that oversees the union -- says it simply doesn't have enough money for a pay increase. It is illegal for public workers to strike in the State of New York. If the union were to go on strike, heavy fines would be imposed.
But fines were not enough to avert a strike the last time we saw one here in the city. That was back in 1980. that strike, as you said, lasted for 11 days. Thousands of New Yorkers had to walk or bike their way to work. Many of them making the daily trek across the Brooklyn Bridge in order to get back into the city.
But at least at this point it's hard to predict what's going to happen this go around. But because of the fact that both sides are still talking, that at least is an encouraging sign -- Carol.
COSTELLO: It certainly is.
Jason Carroll, thanks.
And we'll check back in with Jason every 15 minutes for the next two hours of DAYBREAK for updates on strike negotiations.
And head to our Web site for the latest on the New York transit strike talks. Our address is 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 - 05:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Now for details on our top story, the Transit Workers Union has stopped the clock on a strike of New York City's bus and subway service. The announcement comes just before a midnight deadline to walk off the job. The last time New York transit workers struck was the spring of 1980. That walkout lasted 11 days. Another strike was averted three years ago. This time union workers are seeking salary increases of six percent for each of the next three years. Management has offered no raise the first year and linked future raises to productivity.
Now, an estimated seven million people use the public transit system in New York City each day. Thirty-four thousand transit workers would be affected by a strike and a strike could cost the city up to $350 million every single day.
So, relieved commuters are heading off to their bus and subway stops this morning.
But our Jason Carroll is already at work for us. He joins us from the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge -- good morning, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And good morning to you, Carol.
New Yorkers are basically in a holding pattern. Many went to bed last night not sure what to expect when they woke up this morning. But as you said, negotiations are continuing. The union that represents the city's buses and subway workers came out just before the midnight deadline last night and said enough progress has been made to at least keep talking.
(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: The sticking point in all this, of course, has to do with money. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority -- that is the entity that oversees the union -- says it simply doesn't have enough money for a pay increase. It is illegal for public workers to strike in the State of New York. If the union were to go on strike, heavy fines would be imposed.
But fines were not enough to avert a strike the last time we saw one here in the city. That was back in 1980. that strike, as you said, lasted for 11 days. Thousands of New Yorkers had to walk or bike their way to work. Many of them making the daily trek across the Brooklyn Bridge in order to get back into the city.
But at least at this point it's hard to predict what's going to happen this go around. But because of the fact that both sides are still talking, that at least is an encouraging sign -- Carol.
COSTELLO: It certainly is.
Jason Carroll, thanks.
And we'll check back in with Jason every 15 minutes for the next two hours of DAYBREAK for updates on strike negotiations.
And head to our Web site for the latest on the New York transit strike talks. Our address is 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
