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Nov 23, 2008 7:05 am US/Eastern
Port Authority Union Meeting Postponed
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The local head of the transit workers union is visiting Washington D.C. this weekend where he is meeting with national union leaders.
In the meantime, a transit union meeting scheduled for today, where a possible walkout may have been discussed, has been postponed.
In a statement, the union said, "The International Amalgamated Transit Union and the AFL-CIO have stepped in to try to assist in getting the parties back to the table to reach a settlement."
The Port Authority and the transit union have been engaged in contract talks that recently were declared at an impasse and it appeared a shut down to the transit system on December 1st was possible.
The Port Authority wanted to impose a contract submitted by a third party fact-finder, but the union said if that happened, they could walk off the job.
Now, however, national labor leaders have stepped in and are trying to mediate.
KDKA's Paul Martino reports that Union President Pat McMahon expressed some optimism of a possible breakthrough.
Martino: "Is this a breakthrough of some sort or what?"
McMahon: "Well we're hoping it is."
While transit workers acknowledge there will have to be some give backs, they say they would rather have a negotiated contract, not one that is imposed.
"If they get away with it with us, then you know, I guess the next one will try it and it'll be a wave and a fight if they would get away with it," said McMahon.
Until now, both sides had drawn a line in the sand and there have been no recent talks.
But McMahon says he is holding out hope that both sides can get back to the bargaining table.
"They're trying to act like a mediator and get us back to the table," said McMahon of the meeting. "So, naturally, I thought it was worth the drive."
Today's statement on the postponed meeting went on to say, "As it stands, ATU Local 85 members remain committed to working until a new contract agreement can be reached. Currently, however, Port Authority has not been willing to negotiate and has stated that they will impose a contract on December 1st possibly resulting in a lock out. Mr. McMahon and Union officials are working through the weekend though to try to find a solution to ensure transit riders are not left without service."
While McMahon remains optimistic, the Port Authority is not commenting on the most recent developments.
There is no indication, so far, that they have changed their mind about imposing a contract a week from Monday.
Stay with KDKA for the latest details.
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