Negotiations will continue at least through August between Metro Transit and Transit Workers Local 1005, whose contract expired July 31. The sides already have met eight times, said Local 1005 president Ron Lloyd; additional bargaining is scheduled for Aug. 15, 16, 17, 29, 30, and 31.

The union hopes to avoid the kind of showdown that occurred last year, when workers went on strike for 44 days, primarily over health insurance issues, Lloyd said.

"A lot of people are wondering," he said. "Even passengers are pestering drivers." But progress is being made, he said, including codifying temporary language governing operation of light rail.

"We would like to resolve it," Lloyd said. "Management tells me that's their goal also. Up to this point, I think both of us are sincere."

Nonetheless, Metro Transit does have a couple of "mean-spirited" proposals on the table that Lloyd says "are designed to weaken and hurt the union." These include eliminating arbitration and eliminating a "no lockout" clause.

In addition, Metro Transit continues to claim it faces a $20 million deficit ? despite $40 million in stopgap funding from the state, despite cutting service by 3.5 percent, and despite raising fares.

"In negotiations, when they're able to cry poverty, real or imaginary, it makes things tougher," Lloyd said.

The bus drivers, light-rail operators, mechanics and others received pay raises of only 1.5 percent total in the old contract, Lloyd said, raises that are being devoured by health costs that increased 48 percent over the past three years. "We need to make that up," he said.

Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org