advertisement

---

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LA MTA) "last, best and final" offer to 2,000 striking Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)-represented mechanics and bus operators was rejected late last week after the authority refused ATU’s request to use an outside arbitrator to conduct labor negotiations.

LA MTA’s offer included a more than 5 percent wage increase, $4.7 million for the union’s Health and Welfare Trust Fund with additional contributions for active employees during the next three years and no change in the monthly contributions for retirees.

LA MTA cannot offer additional funds without cutting service and jobs, or increasing fares, said Chief Executive Officer Roger Snoble in a prepared statement.

Workers have been on strike since Oct. 14.