Union 'dismayed' Metro to appeal arbitrator's pay-hike ruling

The union representing Metro's frontline workers said Friday that it was "dismayed" that the transit agency plans to appeal an arbitrator's ruling on worker pay raises.

Jackie Jeter, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, said the arbitrator's award is final and binding for both parties. The union is weighing its legal and contractual options, she said in a statement. An arbitration panel gave three consecutive 3 percent annual pay raises to about 7,700 Metro workers, part of a package that Metro said would cost an additional $104.5 million over four years. Metro said Thursday it plans to appeal the decision because the panel did not comply with a federal law prohibiting awards that exceed the agency's funding ability.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) issued a statement supporting the arbitrator's ruling. "The arbitration panel considered -- as they are required to under the law -- the fiscal situation at Metro as well as all other relevant facts and issued a fair and reasonable decision," he said. Van Hollen said he hoped and expected the panel's decision "would be respected by both parties."