local digest

THE REGION

Union 'dismayed' over Metro's appeal

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

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 $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. Jackie Jeter, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, said in a statement that the union is weighing its legal and contractual options.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) issued a statement supporting the arbitrator's ruling. Van Hollen said he hoped and expected the panel's decision "would be respected by both parties."

-- Lena H. Sun

THE DISTRICT

Four men charged in 2008 slaying

Four D.C. men were arrested on first-degree murder charges in the death of a Southeast Washington man last year, one of three slayings in which suspects were taken into custody Thursday, D.C. police said.

The four were Aug. 30, 2008, shooting of Michael Henry, 25, of the 2200 block of Savannah Street SE. Police said the four men are Shawn Curry, 22, Javon Roberts, 32, and Michael Walters, 29, all of Southeast Washington; and Alonzo Marshall, 22, of Northeast.

Police said they also made arrests in the Oct. 31 shooting death of Ashton Hunter, 19, and the Oct. 17 fatal stabbing of George E. Wakefield, 30.

Hunter, of the 300 block of 37th Street SE, was found shot in the block where he lived. Police said Darrell C. Lee, 21, of Southeast Washington was charged with first-degree murder.