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Transit Work Takes Toll

To the Editor:

Train Operator Douglas Tates's letter to WABC-TV that was reprinted in the Dec. 5 issue of The Chief is the best case I've seen for why transit operating workers deserve a 20-year pension plan. It is also the best case for why Roger Toussaint should finally get the boot in the upcoming Local 100 election.

In the past eight years, Toussaint, with all his yelling and so-called militancy, has not gotten his members any major pension legislation. Tates mentions in his very articulate letter that "nationally, more transit workers die and get injured than any other safety-sensitive job including cops and firefighters." Transit workers need to ask themselves, before they vote, why do much, much smaller unions such as the sanitation workers and the correction officers have 20-year pension plans, 3/4 disability provisions, lung bills and heart bills and other bills that TA workers so desperately need and deserve.?

As a retired Deputy Director of the New York City Employees' Retirement System and currently a private NYCERS and Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority pension consultant, I see stressed-out workers every day who are retiring in their mid-to-late fifties. Many of them look much older that their actual age. I attribute the stresses and dangers of their jobs for the look on their faces.

If the Transit Authority wants to do right by its workers, instead of talking about fare increases, service cuts and layoffs, it should support legislation for the 20-year, age-50 retirement program as part of the upcoming contract. With no cost to the city or the state, the Governor should sign the bill.

The TA will save a lot of money as many senior employees at top pay will retire. But, by no means should TA workers think that Toussaint got them a 20/50 pension plan if it does happen. It will be the fiscal problems of the MTA and the need to reduce the payroll that finally will get TA workers parity with the uniformed workers. Toussaint had eight years to do it and he failed his members.

I'm sure a future letter to the editor from one of Toussaint's henchmen will try to discredit me as a "disgruntled former union consultant." Warning, TA workers: do not be fooled.

NORMAN ROSENFELD