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Port Authority Board Accepts Fact-Finders Report

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Sep 12, 2008 2:35 pm US/Eastern

Port Authority Board Accepts Fact-Finders Report

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― A crucial deadline continues to loom today as Port Authority management and workers meet separately to discuss a fact-finders report, all to prevent a possible strike.

KDKA's Harold Hayes reports that the Port Authority Board has now said that they have accepted the fact-finder's report.

On Thursday, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato urged the two sides to accept that recommendation on the new contract.

Onorato said the report addresses the issue of legacy costs.

It recommends a three percent raise, but it also calls for a 40 percent reduction in retirement healthcare and pension costs.

Onorato says he believes that by accepting the reduction in legacy costs, the Port Authority will be able to recover from financial problems.

"The Port Authority will not live under the old contract," said Onorato. "The Authority won't survive under the old contract. So, that's one thing I know for sure. There's not enough money to survive under the existing contract. This idea of working under it forever, that's not a realistic option."

The deadline for the two sides to respond is coming at midnight.

Officials say if now the union rejects the recommendation, state and federal mediators are expected to step in and the workers could authorize their leaders to call a strike.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 met this morning  and they are expected to hold another meeting this evening to discuss the report.

Meanwhile, local people who count on mass transit say if a strike happened it would be devastating.

"I wouldn't like it," said one woman waiting for a bus today. "You depend on them and you need them for transportation."

Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.




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