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But Mixed on 'Driver Tax'
Unions Like City's Long-Term Plan
By MEREDITH KOLODNER
Labor leaders embraced central features of Mayor
Bloomberg's PlaNYC, announced last week to address population growth and
pollution over the next 25 years, but sounded a cautionary note on the proposal
to charge fees to drivers who enter Manhattan during peak hours.
 | | ED OTT: 'Overall, a great plan.' |
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Mr. Bloomberg laid out 127 proposals to reduce carbon dioxide gas emissions by 30 percent and build the infrastructure necessary for an expected 1 million additional residents by 2030. Environmental and civic groups have lauded the plan, while elected officials in Albany and city officials representing neighborhoods outside Manhattan have sharply criticized the tolls to drive into the borough, known as congestion pricing.
Applauds Foresight
"I like it a lot," said Central Labor Council Executive Director Ed Ott. "Just to have a city government that tries to think 25 years into the future is a big deal."
Mr. Ott pointed to the proposals to build new housing and the five new transportation projects, some of which would establish new rail linkages between Long Island and Manhattan, as examples of measures that would cut pollution and make the city more livable.
 | | RANDI WEINGARTEN: Drivers' tax concern. |
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"There are certain areas of the city where congestion pricing would be an unfair burden without expansion of express service and bus service," he noted. "But these are not insurmountable problems. Congestion pricing is not all that onerous as long as there are transportation alternatives."
Other union leaders echoed that overall approval, while stopping short of endorsing the controversial drivers' tax.
Weingarten Cautious
"The Mayor's plan is bold and innovative," Municipal Labor Committee chair and United Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said in a statement, "but we have to think through the implications some of it will have on working people, particularly the congestion-pricing component. The intent is laudable, but we must try to avoid any unfairness or unintended consequences."
Mayor Sought Input
The MLC was briefed on PlaNYC before it was presented to the public by the Mayor in an April 22 speech.
 | | MARK ROSENTHAL: 'Need more Bloombergs.' |
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Mr. Bloomberg's plan would charge drivers of cars $8 and trucks $21 for entering Manhattan below 86th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Transport Workers Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint argued that the new fees would work if they were part of an overhaul of the city's mass transit system.
"Congestion pricing provides New Yorkers the incentive to decrease their reliance on cars and reduce traffic and congestion," he said in a statement. "At the same time, it provides the necessary revenue streams to bolster the region's transportation network."
Urges Transit Upgrades
He added that the city needed more dedicated bus lanes, more frequent subway service, additional express bus service and funding to bring the system into a state of good repair. "We call upon the city, state and the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] to freeze the fare and implement a fare reduction program, especially during the hours congestion pricing is in effect," he said.
Some labor leaders, while praising the measures that would reduce pollution, opposed the drivers' tax altogether. "I don't think congestion pricing is the answer," said Communication Workers of America Local 1180 President Arthur Cheliotes. "The tax on the cars won't be a problem for rich people, and it definitely will be for working-class people. It seems to me that it's a class issue."
 | | ARTHUR CHELIOTES: Eyes rail freight, harbor. |
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Mr. Cheliotes also stressed the need for building more rail infrastructure not only to reduce carbon gas emissions, but also to diversify the city's economy. "Unless you address the ability to move goods around New York City in a more environmentally friendly way," he commented, "and in a way that ensures the ability for some sort of light manufacturing, we miss an opportunity."
Practicality Question
He noted the loss of the working waterfront to luxury housing and argued that if the city invested in the commercial uses of the New York harbor, it could regain its status as a global transportation hub.
Other union leaders, while praising the proposals, questioned whether it would be possible to put all the measures into practice.
"The Mayor has good intentions," said District Council 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts in a statement, "and this is a commendable step in the right direction to help safeguard our environment. It's difficult to know how feasible it would be to implement his plan."
Mark Rosenthal, the president of Local 983 of DC 37, which represents Parks Department workers, gave an unbridled endorsement to the PlaNYC design.
"He'll go down like [Robert] Moses did, and I think that's great," said Mr. Rosenthal. "He thinks outside of the box. We need more politicians like Bloomberg."
'A Parks Renaissance'
He was particular enthusiastic about the planned increase in the number of playgrounds and open spaces and the proposal to plant 1 million trees throughout the five boroughs. "This is a renaissance in the Parks budget," he asserted. "A lot of people can't go away, and the parks, that's their vacation."
But like other labor leaders, Mr. Rosenthal steered clear of fully embracing the controversial congestion pricing plan.
Some of the PlaNYC measures could be funded through the current negotiations over the 2008 fiscal year budget between the Mayor and the City Council. Others, such as congestion pricing and some of the other transportation initiatives, need approval from Albany.
"In something this big," said Mr. Ott, "you can always
find something you don't like, but overall, we think it's a great plan."
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