19810210 r-81-1RESOLUTION NO. R-1981-1
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE ELIMINATION OF BINDING
ARBITRATION FROM THE WMATA COMPACT
WHEREAS, the growth in transit operating costs is resulting
in an increasing burden on the tax resources of local govern-
ments in the metropolitan Washington area; and
WHEREAS, the present transit union contract has resulted in
compensation levels and protection from inflation which is not
available to other regional and local government employees; and
WHEREAS, the present transit un.ion contract has resulted in
pay for a large amount of non-productive time because of outmoded
work rules and guarantees; and
WHEREAS, the present compulsory binding arbitration process
for resolving disputes due to such issues as these has not been
adequately responsive to the needs of local governments as
evidenced by continuation of essentially the same provisions in
the union contract since public takeover of transit service; and
WHEREAS, the present arbitration process is too lengthy and
the wage rate computation too uncertain to provide the necessary
basis for fiscal estimates and projections and to provide flexi-
bility in meeting regional service and financial goals in any
fiscal year;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the
City of Fairfax, Virginia, finds that the present compulsory
binding arbitration process has been totally unsatisfactory for
resolving disputes related to the transit union contract; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council requests and
urges that appropriate actions be taken by the Virginia and
Maryland legislatures, the District of Columbia City Council,
and the Congress of the United States to eliminate the require-
ment for binding arbitration from the Interstate Compact
governing the transit authority.
Adopted: February 10, 1981.
Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk