In a 19-page ruling released August 30, an arbitrator ruled that the MTA policy of removing conductors from the Brooklyn-Manhattan L-subway line violated the labor agreement between the MTA and Transport Workers Union Local 100.  It said conductors are to be restored to their posts immediately, to the satisfaction of advocates and union leaders. The Straphangers Campaign’s Gene Russianoff told the NY Times “It makes no sense in an age of terrorism to leave only one person at the front of a train that might be carrying more than 2,000 people.”

   However, transit officials have refused to return conductors to the L, stating they might appeal the ruling in court. NYC Transit plans to remove conductors from the 7, J and N lines in 2007 and 2008. The ruling does not affect one-person operation of short shuttle lines. The MTA and TWU Local 100 will negotiate a new contract this December — the issue is likely to feature prominently.

   The arbitrator’s decision was not based on safety concerns.  Rather, he found that removal of conductors from the L Train requires train operators to perform duties beyond those outlined in their contract.  Adding new responsibilities to the operators’ job would require a new deal.

   Our past coverage of the issue (MTR #489) distinguished between the essential job of modernizing subway signals and automating train operations.  The $288 million project to install Communications-Based Train Control can help increase train frequency on crowded lines like the L.

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