The LA Times Sunday Opinon features dueling artciles by Zev Yaroslavsky for the MTA Board, and Neil Silver, president of the mechanic's union. A number of things stand out.
First is that the mechanic's union "offer" to submit the last MTA proposal to binding arbitration is a sham -- they can only gain ground by splitting the difference up from the final offer.
Second is that the mechanics have, already, some of the best benefits of any public employees. Better than, say, police or firemen (who cannot strike). Example:
Mechanics can retire with a full pension after only 23 years of work. One of the most generous benefits given to MTA employees is the "23 and out" provision, which allows an employee who begins work at age 20 to retire at age 43 with a full pension. These retired MTA veterans can then start a second career with the MTA or elsewhere while drawing a full pension...They are squabbling partly about whether these retired 43-year-olds get lifetime full medical guaranteed.