New York City facing massive overtime pay commitments

New York City is on the hook for approximately $30 million in overtime pay to city employees and lost Metropolitan Transit Authority revenue from the December 26 storm that forced cleanup crews and MTA employees to work around the clock, the New York Times reports.

Operators of MTA buses, subways, railroads and crossings were paid holiday and weekend compensation. Now, the city faces a $14 million tab for those workers as part of the total bill for the cleanup. According to The New York Times, that figure represents approximately 3 percent of the city's total overtime budget for the year.

"The MTA needs to activate its emergency plan as soon as possible and get people to work as soon as possible, so that we minimize the amount of revenue lost at the farebox and minimize the cost of overtime that is ultimately paid out," James Vacca, chairman of the Council’s transportation committee, said in a statement.

The Times reports that costs associated with overtime pay and other cleanup responsibilities are forecast to reach $38.8 million - more than the entire annual budget for snow removal. Previously, city officials believed they were on track to reduce overtime pay 11 percent from 2009 levels. 

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