A far-reaching crackdown on union overtime is underway at the cash-strapped MTA as top brass vowed to target widespread abuse of sick days, costly double and triple shifts, pension inflation and lazy workers.
The agency will unilaterally impose the policies for $22 million in savings this year, which is sure to set the table for hostile talks between management and the unions.
In 2011, the MTA will seek $60 million in cost savings, and it is hoping for union cooperation.
“What we’re trying to get across to you is this is the beginning of the new future state of the MTA. And overtime is in our sights,” said Bridge and Tunnels chief Jim Ferrara.
Officials said they were hamstrung by contractually mandated work rules, a large reason for the $560 million the agency pays out in overtime each year.
John Samuelsen, who represents the 35,000- member TWU Local 100, said MTA “bureaucrats have never done a day’s physical labor in their life.”
The MTA will send out task forces to make sure workers are honestly using sick time and will challenge pension-inflating overtime accruals in arbitration.