Laura
12-13-2007, 06:24 PM
http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2007/12/staten_island_not_expected_to.html
[quote]Access-a-Ride passengers on Staten Island can expect delays
by Staten Island Advance
Monday December 10, 2007, 3:25 PM
Advane file photoRJR Transportation in the Dongan Hills section of Staten Island, holds the city contract to provide about 30,000 Access-a-Ride trips every month.
It's been years since Pamela Bates has been able to get around on her own. First came the canes, then the walker, and these days, her large motorized wheelchair.
For years, the 55-year-old Bates has used the city's Access-A-Ride system, which provides transport to thousands of disabled and chronically ill riders.
But with some drivers going on strike Monday over contract issues, Bates was stuck inside her Manhattan apartment.
"There's no consideration on either side of what they're doing to the people in between," the retired real estate agent said.
Drivers from four companies that serve about 8,000 people daily walked off the job just after midnight.
RJR Transportation of Dongan Hills -- which holds the city contract to provide about 30,000 Access-a-Ride trips every month on Staten Island -- was not one of the four transportation firms targeted for walkouts, said owner Richard Salomone.
But Island riders should expect some delays, as RJR will be filling in for some of the lost transportation services in other boroughs, Salomone added.
The Para Transit Drivers and Mechanics of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181-1061, which has 1,500 members, rejected a contract offer a few months ago, primarily over issues of health care premiums and wages.
In the previous contract, drivers paid their premiums for 40 weeks of the year, with the companies paying for the other 12 weeks.
The new contract would have the drivers paying premiums for the entire year, said Tommy Mullins, a union vice president.
"We're so, so sorry that we had to do this," Mullins said. "The segment of the community that we serve is so deserving. ... We're doing this with a very heavy heart."
Jeff Pollack, the chief negotiator for the Paratransit Operators Coalition, pointed out that the drivers had not had an increase in their health care premiums since 1997.
He also noted that the contract was based on one for school bus drivers, who were paid only 40 weeks a year. Since the drivers for the disabled are paid all 52 weeks a year, he said, "There's no reason for them not to be contributing."
Pollack said there were no plans for more talks, and that the contract was the final, best offer the companies could make.
"We can't just give away money," he said. "We can't just open up our checkbooks to them."
The four companies are among 14 that contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city's public bus and subway system. The MTA is not involved in the negotiations but is monitoring the situation.
People are still using the Access-A-Ride system, but can make reservations just one day in advance, compared to two days in advance during normal operation, said Charles Seaton, a spokesman for the MTA's New York City Transit division.
Transit officials are using other transportation providers and private ambulette carriers, and some riders have received vouchers for taxis or car service.
But sometimes those options don't work.
Bates, who has spinal muscular atrophy and degenerative joint disease, said she was offered a voucher for a taxi, but would have had to pay the fare upfront and wait to be reimbursed. She said she didn't have the money to do so, and had to cancel her plans to attend a meeting in another part of the city.
Besides complicating the ability to get around town, Bates was worried about the psychological impact the strike could have on disabled people.
"We want to have a life like everyone else," she said.
See more in News, Transportation[quote]
[quote]Access-a-Ride passengers on Staten Island can expect delays
by Staten Island Advance
Monday December 10, 2007, 3:25 PM
Advane file photoRJR Transportation in the Dongan Hills section of Staten Island, holds the city contract to provide about 30,000 Access-a-Ride trips every month.
It's been years since Pamela Bates has been able to get around on her own. First came the canes, then the walker, and these days, her large motorized wheelchair.
For years, the 55-year-old Bates has used the city's Access-A-Ride system, which provides transport to thousands of disabled and chronically ill riders.
But with some drivers going on strike Monday over contract issues, Bates was stuck inside her Manhattan apartment.
"There's no consideration on either side of what they're doing to the people in between," the retired real estate agent said.
Drivers from four companies that serve about 8,000 people daily walked off the job just after midnight.
RJR Transportation of Dongan Hills -- which holds the city contract to provide about 30,000 Access-a-Ride trips every month on Staten Island -- was not one of the four transportation firms targeted for walkouts, said owner Richard Salomone.
But Island riders should expect some delays, as RJR will be filling in for some of the lost transportation services in other boroughs, Salomone added.
The Para Transit Drivers and Mechanics of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1181-1061, which has 1,500 members, rejected a contract offer a few months ago, primarily over issues of health care premiums and wages.
In the previous contract, drivers paid their premiums for 40 weeks of the year, with the companies paying for the other 12 weeks.
The new contract would have the drivers paying premiums for the entire year, said Tommy Mullins, a union vice president.
"We're so, so sorry that we had to do this," Mullins said. "The segment of the community that we serve is so deserving. ... We're doing this with a very heavy heart."
Jeff Pollack, the chief negotiator for the Paratransit Operators Coalition, pointed out that the drivers had not had an increase in their health care premiums since 1997.
He also noted that the contract was based on one for school bus drivers, who were paid only 40 weeks a year. Since the drivers for the disabled are paid all 52 weeks a year, he said, "There's no reason for them not to be contributing."
Pollack said there were no plans for more talks, and that the contract was the final, best offer the companies could make.
"We can't just give away money," he said. "We can't just open up our checkbooks to them."
The four companies are among 14 that contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city's public bus and subway system. The MTA is not involved in the negotiations but is monitoring the situation.
People are still using the Access-A-Ride system, but can make reservations just one day in advance, compared to two days in advance during normal operation, said Charles Seaton, a spokesman for the MTA's New York City Transit division.
Transit officials are using other transportation providers and private ambulette carriers, and some riders have received vouchers for taxis or car service.
But sometimes those options don't work.
Bates, who has spinal muscular atrophy and degenerative joint disease, said she was offered a voucher for a taxi, but would have had to pay the fare upfront and wait to be reimbursed. She said she didn't have the money to do so, and had to cancel her plans to attend a meeting in another part of the city.
Besides complicating the ability to get around town, Bates was worried about the psychological impact the strike could have on disabled people.
"We want to have a life like everyone else," she said.
See more in News, Transportation[quote]