NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- The New York City transit union called for a partial strike against private bus lines Friday after intense bargaining failed to produce a new contract.
The walkout is set to begin Monday, the New York Times reported, with a strike that would shut the entire system down possible for Tuesday.
"We tried to bargain with the M.T.A.," said Roger Toussaint, president of Transport Workers Union Local 100. "We negotiated well past our contractual deadline, because we wanted to get a deal done, and we still do. However, the M.T.A. is insisting on a contract that would leave the next generation of transit workers way behind -- a contract that would put a lock and key on transit workers' access to the middle class."
The city's subway and public bus system continued on schedule -- for now.
The union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority halted negotiations early Friday morning with no solution to their differences in sight.
The authority reportedly was willing to increase its wage offer -- two 3 percent raises over 27 months -- but was insisting that the union agree in return to concessions on pensions, health insurance or productivity.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued an executive order Thursday night, declaring a state of emergency in the event of a transit strike.
