MTA honcho Janno Lieber handed the buck on congestion pricing exemptions for the FDNY — telling firefighters on Friday to take up their grievances over the brand new $9 toll with the town as a substitute.
Throughout an look on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show,” the Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman and CEO rebuffed alarms from firefighters about having to pay the tax whereas on obligation.
“If the firefighters are being told to drive in instead of taking mass transit, the employer has to pay you for the use of that car,” Lieber stated.
He suggested New York’s Bravest to take the matter up with their “employer,” including that the MTA “is not the right place to adjudicate these specifics of individual contractual arrangements.”
Fireplace unions spoke out in opposition to the contentious toll simply as drivers started getting charged for coming into Manhattan beneath 60st Avenue on Sunday.
Union officers warned the toll may dangerously delay FDNY response occasions with firefighters leaving their private automobiles at residence when reporting for obligation to keep away from paying the outrageous commuter tax.
These autos are frequently used to shuttle firefighters from their element to different firehouses to plug gaps in staffing.
“Who uses what car when, and what employers’ instigation, that’s not our job. They ought to be in a collective bargaining agreement, and I respect their concern,” Lieber stated on WNYC.
Union officers slammed Lieber over what they known as an “appalling” lack of knowledge of the work of the FDNY.
“The fact that he, the MTA and the state don’t understand the work that we do for the system is appalling,” Andrew Ansbro, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Affiliation, advised The Put up.
“This exemption would allow firefighters to move across the congestion pricing zone in their personal vehicles for the betterment of the city and the MTA.”
Uniformed Firefighters Officers Affiliation President Jim Brosi clapped again at Lieber over his failure to assist the FDNY put together for the hated plan.
“Despite having six years to help the FDNY prepare, we are pleased that Janno Lieber had some time between celebrations to research our collective bargaining agreement,” Brosi advised The Put up.
“Had he looked closer, however, he would have seen how much firehouse staffing is dependent on the use of personal vehicles,” Brosi added. “It is odd that the Chairman can have such absolute power over the streets of this great city, but then suddenly be so powerless when those decisions have negative consequences for public safety.”
The FDNY referred The Put up to Metropolis Corridor for remark.
“Ensuring public safety is a top priority for the Adams administration. We are aware of UFA’s concerns, and we are discussing these matters directly with the union,” stated Mayor Eric Adams’ deputy press secretary, Liz Garcia, in an announcement.
— Further reporting by Desheania Andrews
