Local

MARTA Union Blasts Report Targeting Employee Benefits

October 18th, 2012

Characterizing it as an “unfair attack on labor,” MARTA’s union is speaking out against a recently-released audit suggesting the transit agency’s workers receive benefits that are too generous.

The audit, conducted by consulting firm KPMG on behalf of the MARTA board, shows the agency is spending tens of millions above the national average for employee healthcare and retirement benefits.

MARTA’s employee contract expires next summer, and negotiations are expected to be tough.

“It’s something we’re used to living with. Every time negotiations come up, MARTA cries broke and it’s always on the backs of workers,” said Curtis Howard, president of Amalgamated Transit Union 732, which represents about two-thirds of MARTA workers. “They run a campaign and this is part of it.”

Howard said workers have gone seven years without wage increases, putting them among the lowest paid in the country.

“We’re doing more work than we ever have and we’re getting less pay,” said Howard.

He argues MARTA’s financial woes are due to management shortcomings and the rough economy, not employee benefits.

“You have to have something to take from and right now there’s not a whole lot to take from. We’ve given up just about everything there is to give up,” said Howard.

MARTA officials declined comment for this story.