Post by musicradio77 on Aug 31, 2005 22:10:19 GMT -5
From the Daily News:
Ruling derails TA plans for L train
BY JOE DONOHUE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
An arbiter yesterday put the brakes on the Transit Authority's controversial plan to eliminate conductors on L trains during nights and weekends.
Siding with the Transport Workers Union, state arbiter Richard Adelman ruled the plan to staff the L trains solely with motormen violated a 1994 contract and was to "cease and desist" immediately, sources said.
Operating without a conductor unduly increased the responsibilities placed on the train's motorman, breaking the contract, Adelman reasoned, according to sources.
"We're very happy that the arbiter's decision arrived before tragedy arrived," said Ed Watt, secretary-treasurer of the TWU, which announced the decision in a town hall meeting on transit safety in Brooklyn.
Since mid-June, the L trains - which run from Eighth Ave. in Manhattan to Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn - have been run by the operator, a practice in use for years on smaller train lines, like the shuttle between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal.
The TA argued the move was a first step to computerizing the signals on the line; the union contested that the conductors performed important safety functions like clearing the doors, deterring thieves and even watching for terrorists.
"It's a victory for safety, security, and common sense," Watt said.
The TA said it was "deeply disappointed" by the ruling and is reviewing its legal options.
Ruling derails TA plans for L train
BY JOE DONOHUE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
An arbiter yesterday put the brakes on the Transit Authority's controversial plan to eliminate conductors on L trains during nights and weekends.
Siding with the Transport Workers Union, state arbiter Richard Adelman ruled the plan to staff the L trains solely with motormen violated a 1994 contract and was to "cease and desist" immediately, sources said.
Operating without a conductor unduly increased the responsibilities placed on the train's motorman, breaking the contract, Adelman reasoned, according to sources.
"We're very happy that the arbiter's decision arrived before tragedy arrived," said Ed Watt, secretary-treasurer of the TWU, which announced the decision in a town hall meeting on transit safety in Brooklyn.
Since mid-June, the L trains - which run from Eighth Ave. in Manhattan to Rockaway Parkway in Brooklyn - have been run by the operator, a practice in use for years on smaller train lines, like the shuttle between Times Square and Grand Central Terminal.
The TA argued the move was a first step to computerizing the signals on the line; the union contested that the conductors performed important safety functions like clearing the doors, deterring thieves and even watching for terrorists.
"It's a victory for safety, security, and common sense," Watt said.
The TA said it was "deeply disappointed" by the ruling and is reviewing its legal options.