Allegheny Port Authority Demands Concessions from ATU 85 Workers

Allegheny Port Authority Demands Concessions from ATU 85 Workers 

http://triblive.com/news/2153357-74/union-authority-transit-fitzgerald-million-concessions-state-county-cuts-service

By Bill Vidonic

Published: Thursday, July 5, 2012, 12:01 a.m.
Updated 11 hours ago 

The executive board of the union representing Port Authority workers on Friday will weigh Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald’s call for up to $25 million in concessions to prevent deep service cuts that start in September, the union president said.
“Nothing’s on the table right now as concrete. We’re still negotiating,” Stephen Palonis, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85, said Wednesday. “We’re looking for a guarantee, from the governor and Mr. Fitzgerald, that if we do concessions, we want them to maintain the service levels that we have today.”
Fitzgerald said he hopes the state will provide an additional $30 million to $35 million to help fill a $65 million shortfall. The county also would provide more, but “I have no idea how much it will increase,” he said.
Aside from the union concessions and increased state funding, Fitzgerald said, he’s hoping for other money, including charging motorists at the park-and-rides, corporate sponsorships, naming rights and increased advertising.
“Is it doable? I’m optimistic it is. We’re not there yet, but we’re moving toward it. Time is of the essence,” Fitzgerald said.
Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley said that “the administration is waiting to see what happens in labor negotiations.” Corbett has said repeatedly that he wants the transit authority to cut expenses, including pension and other legacy costs that have crippled the agency, before discussing additional state funding.
The county contributes nearly $28 million, and the state about $155 million, with the authority’s annual budget at about $333 million.
The negotiations carry a sense of urgency. Service cuts – scheduled to start Sept. 1 and the largest in the transit authority’s history – would eliminate 46 of its 102 routes.
As required by federal law, the authority Tuesday sent a 60-day notice to the union formally notifying it of the closure of the Collier garage and cuts at many other authority facilities. In all, according to the letter, the authority is cutting 531 union positions, affecting 510 employees.
Fitzgerald and Palonis said they’re seeking long--term funding solutions.
“We understand there has to be some concessions on our end,” Palonis said of the union, which represents about 2,300 drivers, mechanics and other workers, and 3,300 retirees. Their contract expired Saturday. “The consensus is that we know we have a problem with some of the legacy costs and other issues. I think (members) are willing to look at what we bring back and make an educated decision.”
Fitzgerald noted that the union offered $19 million in concessions last year to help avoid service cuts. The union said that former County Executive Dan Onorato and the authority board rejected that offer.
“They were willing to come to the table then. They realize how much money is available, and the limitations on the revenues and finances, the fiscal reality,” Fitzgerald said. He added that he believed the Corbett administration and state Legislature “realizes the critical nature of transit to our economy in Western Pennsylvania.”
Port Authority spokesman Jim Ritchie said in an email, “We’re grateful to the state, county executive and Local 85 leadership for their desire to help develop lasting solutions that will benefit this region for many years.”
Bill Vidonic is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-380-5621 or bvidonic@tribweb.com.