Guest Column: The great train robbery

As I have mentioned in previous columns, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which consists of over 71,000 employees, is, without question, the most beleaguered, problem-prone and costly public authority operating in New York state. To illustrate how ludicrous, absurd, ridiculous, preposterous, nonsensical, comical, farcical, foolish, stupid and daft things are, I suggest we start by examining how the MTA has managed and controlled its overtime costs.

My source of information is “Audit Report 2009-S-88,” prepared by the Office of the State Comptroller and issued to the chairman and C.E.O. of the MTA, Jay H. Walder, on Aug. 5, 2010. Hang on — you’re in for a rough ride.

Between 2004 and 2009, the MTA’s annual overtime costs increased by 32 percent. In 2009, overtime payments to over 7,635 employees equaled at least 30 percent of their annual salaries; 3,127 employees came to at least 50 percent and 145 employees exceeded 100 percent of their annual salaries. To put these numbers in real terms, a Long Island train car repairman earned $207,772. Another, whose duties included toll collection and security, capped out at $180,604. As you are well aware, these overtime payments occurred prior to retirement, and will result in long- term ramifications in pension costs beyond anyone’s imagination.

The audit also identifies many examples of work rules that would never be tolerated in a business other than a public authority. These conditions are so pervasive they are almost impossible to quantify.

A draft of the audit was released to the MTA’s chief operating officer on May 20 and acknowledged on July 7. The response was rather predictable. The findings regarding overtime costs were affirmed, and the MTA agreed that “gaining control of our overtime expenditures is essential.” They listed some new practices they’ve put in place and predicted they can reduce annual overtime costs by $88 million over the next two years.