Thousands of transit workers rallied on the one-year anniversary of Sandy to call for a fair contract– and stressed their hard work in bringing the system back to life after it was devastated during the storm.
“We literally saved this city’s economy,” said TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen. “You restored order out of complete chaos. It was miraculous.”
The union is calling for raises in a new contract, stressing that the MTA’s financial outlook has improved since the financial crisis. The previous contract expired in 2011.
The MTA has said that any wage increase must be coupled with a reduction in benefits, and that the authority faces major financial challenges, such as funding their next capital plan.
Since Sandy, transit workers have put in 2.3 million hours of work repairing and strengthening the system. They have installed 500,000 feet of new cable, and repaired 46,000 feet of track.
They have also hauled out 32,000 tons of debris since the devastation.
Councilwoman Letitia James, who recently won the election for Public Advocate, offered her support at the rally and praised the transit workers’ efforts in rebuilding the city’s transit system.
“You were there for this city, and we need to be there for you,” she said.