THIS IS A SUMMARY OF A MEETING A GROUP OF COMMUTERS, THE YONKERS CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND I HAD WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NEGOTIATING TEAM OF THE TWU LOCAL 100  REGARDING THE BUS STRIKE.

T LIBERTY LINES MANAGEMENT…

      CountyExecutiveAndrew Spano

      TWU

On Thursday evening a group of commuters, the Yonkers City Council President and I met with some members of the negotiating team representing the TWU.  We discussed the impact the bus strike is having on working people, on students, on small businesses. The strike is also having a very negative impact on the economy of the region. Some businesses may be forced to close. In addition, I’m concerned that a prolonged strike could be devastating to the long term survival of our public transportation system in Westchester. If the strike lasts much longer people may not go back to the buses after the strike is over –which will result in additional cutbacks.

Members of the TWU local 100 team that we met with indicated that if all sides go back to the negotiating table that they feel the strike could be resolved soon.  Representatives of the union said that they will negotiate in good faith – they want the negotiations to take place at the bargaining table.

I feel that all parties should sit in a room, under lock and key, and not leave until the strike is settled. I am not in a position to review the details of the contract—but  feel it’s in the interests of the county, our transportation system, our economy to get everyone talking.  PAUL FEINER, GreenburghTownSupervisor