Metro

Late-night ruling could halt firing of 475 subway station agents

A Manhattan judge issued an 11th-hour decision halting the MTA’s firing of 475 subway station agents late last night.

It was a dramatic twist to what was supposed to be the agents’ last day at work.

At 7 a.m. today, they were supposed to turn in their uniforms today at the New York City Transit learning center in Brooklyn. They were also set to erect a “tent city” there as a sign of protest.

But suddenly, eyewitnesses said officials told the confused workers to report to their stations, as The Post first reported.

Lawyers for TWU Local 100 and the MTA argued in Judge Alice Schlesinger’s living room for about 75 minutes last night, and the judge signed an order to show cause for injunction and stay – a temporary restraining order — at 10:20 p.m., sources said.

Axing the agents “has not been done pursuant to the proper procedure,” Schlesinger wrote in longhand on court documents.

She also pointed out that the MTA received a massive bailout from riders, taxpayers, and business owners last year. The cash-strapped agency expects to save about $21 million a year by firing the agents.

The two sides appeared before another judge this morning, who kept the restraining order in effect pending a hearing on Monday.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Salliann Scarpulla said, “Why don’t you have hearings? It’s not a big deal.”

The TWU argued that the MTA didn’t give the booth closures public hearings, notify the local community boards, or make “adequate alternate arrangements for the safety and convenience of the public.”

“Once this legal matter has been resolved we will proceed with the planned layoffs of the Station Agents,” according to s New York City Transit statement.

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