TWU board OKs contract deal

The executive board of the transit system's main union Tuesday night approved a contract deal that would raise workers' wages a combined 11 percent over three years, but included no pension concessions. Transport Workers Union President Roger Toussaint said at a short 11 p.m. news conference Tuesday night the board vote was 37 for the contract and 4 against, with 1 abstention.

The agreement ends the worst labor crisis at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in a quarter century -- one that led Local 100 to strike for three days last week. The union's 33,700 members will now vote by mail on whether to ratify the deal. The executive board convened shortly after 9 p.m.

Toussaint said the pact included proposed annual raises of 3, 4 and 3.5 percent -- the MTA's pre-strike "final offer" -- but without a major pension concession on which it had hinged. Sources said the deal could include a half-percent one-time bonus that would in effect bring the final year's raise to 4 percent.

However, to offset 1.5 percent worth of the wage hike, city bus and subway employees would for the first time pay for part of their health benefits, through a first-ever premium, Toussaint said. Workers will also get Martin Luther King Day as a paid holiday.


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