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Drivers' Strike Further Hinders N.Y.'s Disabled

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Dec 10, 2007 8:13 pm US/Eastern

Drivers' Strike Further Hinders N.Y.'s Disabled

'Access-A-Ride' Drivers Demand New Contract; Passengers Left In The Cold

Reporting
Magee Hickey

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: A union representing 1,500 drivers for the disabled and chronically ill called for a strike on Monday.
CBS

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Drivers working for four companies that provide van rides for up to 9,000 "Access-A-Ride" passengers a day across the city went on strike Monday morning.

The drivers service elderly, sick and disabled passengers who are unable to use mass transit and need the vans for medical appointments like dialysis and chemotherapy.

Owen Myrie is blind and takes an "Access-A-Ride" van to work everyday. Monday morning, he'll try to find his way around the subway system. "Right now, I just plan on taking the train if they don't show up."

Strikers chanted: "What do we want? A fair contract! When do we want it? Now!"

The strike is over the usual issues, wages and benefits - the same two issues that forced a weeklong work stoppage in 2004, leaving thousands of the sick and disabled stranded.

The union, Amalgamated Transport Union Local 11-81 twice rejected a tentative settlement that their leaders had recommended, and some of the striking drivers didn't want to walk off the job.

Driver Ed Brown said, "To have us go out on strike right now during the Christmas holiday at a time when we need our money now more than ever, I think it's really a low blow and not a good tactic."

The MTA which hires the van companies said it will try to fill the gap by using non-striking companies, ambulettes and taxicab vouchers and the first priority would be for those in need of medical appointments.

Due to limited capacity because of the strike, "Access-A-Ride" van reservations must be made one day in advance, by calling 1-877-337-2017.

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