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Union Workers Protest Amid Vote On MTA Budget

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority approved its $13.5B budget for 2014 Wednesday but not before getting an earful from protesting workers.

The MTA's management is still dealing with an unresolved labor issue. Transit workers' contracts expired two years ago, and negotiations are ongoing.

Union Workers Protest Amid Vote On MTA Budget

As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, union workers protested outside the MTA's headquarters while some voiced their disapproval before the vote.

"It's not a merry christmas when you can't afford to get to work and when you get to work you're like working at a $7 an hour job, it's like you can't win in New York. The MTA, you guys got to do better than that," station agent Christine Williams said.

A MTA spokesman said the agency will not grant raises until the union workers make changes to certain work rules and agree to contribute toward their health care plan.

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