Noel Weaver wrote:1. Working conditions and pay in this case are probably lower than any other transit system in the northeast but they still have to deal with the same high cost of living.On point #1: No, not exactly. Most every metro hovers around $2/trip if they go flat fee. NYC is $2.25, and MTA Maryland is $1.70. WMATA is considering a bump from $1.75 to $2. The only outliers are WMATA's rail system, which varies between $1.75 to $6, and NJ Transit, which can top $21 one way with it's bus zone system.
2. The employees should not have to subsidize the fare box, it is probably time to raise the fares to help pay for a fair settlement.
3. The unions had better make sure the "t's are crossed and the i's dotted" before they sign any agreement. I remember one session that I was involved in many years ago the company leader said we all ought to be man enough to handshake on one issue and I held out for it to be in writing and it was a good thing that we got it.
Money might be the biggest problem but it is very important to seal anything in writing.
Noel Weaver
On point #2: That depends on history. WMATA's union is currently overpaid in comparison with the rest of the region. When MTA Maryland's unions renegotiate, they point to WMATA on their rates... but MTA Maryland keeps pointing to everyone else, which is in line with reality. WMATA now currently wants to cut their union payout just to make ends meet (they got a "weird" funding structure that is failing and violating federal law).
On point #3: They unions also have to do their own research. Unions are getting hit by the courts if they strike for benefits... but the company is failing in other aspects. I won't be surprised if SEPTA gets the TRO but the negotiations are become handled by the courts.
