NEW YORK – A strike on the city’s subway system was looming late Dec. 15.
“The City is prepared for the worst case scenario with a robust contingency plan,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
“A strike would be more than just illegal and inconvenient; it will threaten public safety and severely disrupt our City and its economy,” Bloomberg said. “Our contingency plan is designed to move as many people as possible using alternative means of transportation and to make sure that our streets remain passable for emergency vehicles.”
In the event of a labor action by New York City Transit unions TWU Local 100 and/or ATU Local 726, city officials have outlined a plan to address a transit disruption by reducing demand on major roads and optimizing functioning public transportation. Plans call for special HOV requirements along major roads, bridges and tunnels into Manhattan, commercial vehicle restrictions, lane reversals, carpool and Park & Ride facilities, and increased service on operating public transportation.
“A strike would be incredibly inconvenient, but if New Yorkers work together and everyone pitches in, we would get through it,” Bloomberg added.
City and state officials say a strike is illegal. Transit workers could lose two days of pay for every day they are on strike, according to an Associated Press article.
The transit agency and its 30,000-plus workers are fighting over wages and pension contributions.
