Parties to discussions about the future of the territory's public transit system are keeping what they know to themselves under a mutual agreement to avoid providing information to the news media.
Two key participants in the talks, United Steelworkers Union leader Luis "Tito" Morales and Turnbull administration chief labor negotiator Karen Andrews, would say only that they were meeting again Tuesday for "some serious financial discussions."
Andrews described the meeting as a continuation of discussions that began May 23, but added, "We agreed to have a news blackout until those discussions are through."
Representatives of the Public Works Department, Office of Management and Budget and other Government House officials were also expected at the Tuesday meeting.
Last week, Gov. Charles W. Turnbull approved the Legislature's appropriation of $600,000 from the Indirect Cost Fund to finance Vitran operations through the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. The governor also directed Andrews to meet with union leaders to discuss their proposal for a four-day work week to further reduce operating costs.
Public Works Commissioner Harold Thompson Jr. laid off 62 transit workers territorywide on May 11, a 50 percent reduction of the force. Three days earlier, he had told the Senate Labor Committee that Vitran was running at a $12.7 million loss.
Morales expressed hope that between new subsidies and cost reductions, it will be possible for all of the furloughed workers to return to their jobs. Andrews has said there is no way that this could happen. She said she expects to have some word on the outcome of the week of discussions by Thursday.
