Davis Expected to Try to Avert Strike by MTA Unions

LOS ANGELES —  Gov. Gray Davis is preparing to invoke a seven-day cooling-off period and appoint an independent review panel to avert a transit strike, negotiators for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and union leaders said Thursday.

“The MTA welcomes the appointment of a board of investigation by Gov. Gray Davis that will prevent interruption of Metro Bus and Metro Rail service for at least seven days,” the agency said in a statement. “The board will have one week to review the issues surrounding MTA labor contract negotiations and the current status of those talks and report back to the governor.”

After receiving the panel’s report, the governor can ask the attorney general to seek a court order imposing a 60-day cooling-off period, a move that would prevent the possibility of a strike until after the Democratic National Convention in mid-August.

The labor contracts of three unions representing the vast majority of MTA’s employees expire at midnight tonight. Unable to reach agreement on a new contract with any of the unions, the MTA asked Davis to take steps that could lead to a 60-day cooling-off period during which the unions could not strike.

United Transportation Union spokesman Goldy Norton said that after Davis invokes his power to establish the independent panel, no strike or lockout can occur for at least seven days. He said the union, which represents MTA bus and train operators, will make a presentation to the investigative board on its efforts to win a new contract with the transit agency.

Members of both the United Transportation Union and the Amalgamated Transportation Union, which represents MTA mechanics, had authorized union leaders to call a strike if necessary, though no date for any walkout had been set.

The agency is determined to reduce its operating costs, which are the highest in the region. Union leaders want to protect their members and have expressed concern about the slow pace of negotiations.