Members of Transport Workers Union Local 100 (TWU) carried through today on their threat to strike three private Queens bus companies for the third time this year (see yesterday?s WIT), insisting that they will not return to work until they have a contract. The Union has accused New York City officials of reneging on an agreement to increase employer contributions to its members? health-insurance by the same 19.8 percent over two years as city employees. NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg continues to insist that the negotiations are a private matter between the employers and the union---despite the fact that he must give final approval to any contract entered into by the three city-subsidized companies.
See "Bus Drivers Walk Off", BOBBY CUZA, Newsday, June 17, 2002