Pay, Health Premiums Rise
Contract Deal Ends Paratransit Strike

By ARI PAUL

Drivers and mechanics for Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Paratransit, which provides transport for the disabled and elderly, ended their 10-day strike and went back to work Dec. 19 after narrowly accepting a contract reached by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 and the four companies involved.

The Chief-Leader/Michael O'Kane THE UNION SPEAKS: Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181 Trustee Tommy Mullins, top, celebrated the ratification of the Paratransit settlement Dec. 19, ending a 10-day strike, saying it achieved 'significant goals.' But workers like Hugo Lopez, who voted against the pact, believed it was similar to the terms that workers rejected twice before the strike. He is holding a sign saying, 'I said no three times.'

Under the deal, employees received significant pay raises and two additional personal days, but also have to contribute substantially more towards their health coverage beginning in September 2009.

'Thrilled to Go Back'

"The voice of the union has spoken and has accepted the proposed contract," said ATU Vice President and Local 1181 Trustee Tommy Mullins in a statement. "We are thrilled to be able to return to our daily rounds serving the disabled and elderly who were inconvenienced for these ten days during cold and inclement weather. Our members fought vigorously to secure a more equitable basis from which they can support their family with fair wages and health benefits throughout the year, not just during a cold week in December."

The 1,500 members cast their votes at an American Legion post in the Broad Channel section of Queens. The contract was ratified with 53 percent of the vote. Management and the union reached a tentative settlement Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

The contract, which expires on Aug. 31, 2011, will raise employee contributions for health premiums from $15 to $25 for a single plan and from $59 to $70 for a family plan starting Sept. 1, 2009.

According to union documents obtained by THE CHIEF-LEADER, for workers hired between Sept. 1 and Dec. 31, starting pay will increase by 9 percent, from the old $11.02 to $12 per hour after three months and to $13.46 on the anniversary date of hire between Sept. 1, 2008 and Aug. 31, 2009. It would increase to $15.41 on the anniversary date between Sept. 1, 2009 and Aug. 31, 2010. On the anniversary date between Sept. 1, 2010 and Aug. 31, 2011, it would increase to $16.29.

The union issued a statement saying that, "all members will achieve the top pay rate of $20.05 in the last year of the contract, 2011. For members currently in the top tier that represents an increase of $6.01 over four years."

Drivers will receive a night differential of 25 cents per hour for working between 12 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Management will match employee contributions for the 401(k) plan up to a maximum of $1,040 per year starting Sept. 1, 2010.

Insurance Boost

The statement said, "Life insurance has been increased in two steps from the current benefit of $15,000 to $20,000 and $25,000.

Workers now have four personal days, up from two.

"The contract achieved significant goals for all of our members in terms of compensation, health care and the length of the contract," Mr. Mullins said.

The strike, which began Dec. 10, affected Maggie's Paratransit Corporation, Atlantic, MV Transportation and the Transit Facility Management Corporation. Service to clients in the Paratransit system had been off by more than 30 percent. While the companies contract with the MTA, the workers are considered private-sector employees and were not barred from striking under the state's Taylor Law.

Unhappiness Lingers

Members rejected an earlier contract settlement before the strike. They said the health contributions were too high, while management insisted that its offer was the best it could afford.

Trevor Simpson, a driver with Transit Facility Management, voted against last week's settlement.

"They haven't increased anything," he said. "A lot of guys are not pleased with this contract." Moses Williams, a driver with MV, also voted "no" because it was similar to the contract members initially rejected, but believed many of his fellow workers voted in favor of the contract because they did not want to walk the picket lines any longer.

"They were tired of the strike," he said. "We had some cold days. It was to the point people were staying in their cars."