DC transit’s largest union asks court to enforce pay raises for nearly 8,000 Metro workers

DC transit union wants Metro pay raises enforced

WASHINGTON — Metro’s largest union has filed a federal lawsuit asking a court to enforce wage increases for bus and train operators.

The lawsuit filed Monday in Maryland comes after last week’s announcement by Metro that it would ask for a review of an arbitration award that gave pay raises to about 7,700 workers. The award would give the employees 3 percent raises each year for the next three years.

Metro argues it cannot afford to pay approximately $100 million in pay raises.

The lawsuit by the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 asks the court to “confirm and enforce” the arbitrators’ decision.