A Manhattan judge has ordered that New York City's transit agency restore hundreds of jobs and reopen several customer assistance booths -- but the MTA said it is taking no action, for now.
A hearing is set for today on th matter. Meantime, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it would not move to restaff 42 booths across the subway system and return the agency's staffing levels to what they were in May.
State Supreme Court Justice Saliann Scarpulla said new public hearings were required before the MTA could fire any employees.
The agency laid off more than 200 employees last month and planned to cut another 300 jobs this month, citing budget problems. The workers include station agents and the agents manning the customer service booths.
"We believe the prior public hearings fully conformed with the legal requirements and will be appealing the judge’s order as soon as it is entered," said MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan in a statement.
"At the same time as the MTA pursues the appeal, we will be proceeding on a parallel track with the public hearing process," Donovan added. "With that in mind, an MTA Board meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at which the Board will be asked to authorize the public hearing process to move this vital cost-saving initiative forward. "
