I think in addition to the fact that there's no progress to report, I think the MTA is very concerned that we are down to the wire. Obviously the MTA does not have any deadline on these talks. We have said we will continue to negotiate for as long as it's fruitful. |
The entire process itself takes months. This part of the process probably should take about 10 days. |
The MTA is quite concerned that we are now down to the last day before the union-imposed deadline. |
The union is still here, we're still here. |
There is some notion ... that peace was bought. There is nothing that is further from the truth. |
This is a one-day press tactic, but it's not meaningful. |
Today was not fruitful and we are concerned about tomorrow. |
We are comfortable with the terms of the tentative agreement. And the reason that we're comfortable is not only does it not reward the employees for going on strike - no matter how you spin it, none of the penalties are waived, mitigated, ameliorated or a blind eye cast to them. The contract is cheaper and better for the MTA than what was on the table at the time the strike commenced. |
We are comfortable with the terms of the tentative agreement. And the reason that we're comfortable is not only does it not reward the employees for going on strike -- no matter how you spin it, none of the penalties are waived, mitigated, ameliorated or a blind eye cast to them -- the contract is cheaper and better for the MTA than what was on the table at the time the strike commenced. |
We are not in a good place. We should be closer now. |
We are not in a good place. We should be closer now. There should be more progress. And I can't stand here and say that I am comfortable with the negotiations as they stand at this instant. |
We never ruled out what ultimate outcomes are possible. |