The NYC transit strike will likely not help the union's position, as negotiations could go to arbitration, a labor negotiations expert said

December 21, 2005

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's declaration of an impasse in negotiations with Transport Workers Union, Local 100, means the terms of the final contract could be determined by an arbitrator, ending the opportunity for further negotiation, said Norman Solomon, Ph.D., dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at Fairfield University and an expert in labor negotiations. Dr. Solomon is available to comment on the repercussions of the union's strike.

"At this point the next steps to watch will be those that the court system takes to enforce the various penalties and the Local Union's reaction as well as the International Union's reaction - clearly the latter are upset with the Local!" Dr. Solomon said. "One would have hoped that the Local would have remained at the bargaining table longer before going on strike. The MTA's proposed deal, while not everything the union asked for, seemed reasonable given factors such as the cost of living and what other municipal workers were receiving."

Dr. Solomon earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in industrial and labor relations; and a master's degree and doctorate in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin. He also holds a certificate in management and leadership in education from Harvard University.

To contact Dr. Solomon, please call the Charles F. Dolan School of Business at 203-254-4000, ext. 4070, during weekdays or 203-257-2681 on weeknights or the weekend. You may also call Dana Ambrosini, assistant director of media relations at Fairfield University, at 203-254-4000, ext. 2726.

#

Vol. 38, No. 125