Word: mbta
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...George Orwell's 1984, the world operates as smoothly as a well-oiled machine under the dictates of Big Brother. Human problems exist, but they are quietly and successfully squelched. To talk to Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) officials, the construction of the extended subway line--due for completion in 1984--is part and parcel of Orwell's perfect world. But beneath the boarded construction loom large problems that even two Big Brothers, Harvard and the MBTA, can't handle...
...walking through a mine field. Shoppers tread on shaky wooden boards while on the left and right simultaneous explosions, car horns and workers' shouts make conversation impossible. If this is annoying for the pedestrian, construction troubles, sky-rocketing costs and labor troubles have caused nothing but headaches for the MBTA...
...MBTA project has also been bogged down by labor troubles. This summer the pile drivers who build the wooden floors above the construction walked out for three weeks. That isn't all. The plumbers' union has been out since August 31. Construction crews have been building around the plumbing sites, Gary Balboni, the project engineer for Perini Construction Co., says, adding, however, that "we can't do that forever...
...MBTA, the strikes are part of the "day-to-day difficulties of building the line," MBTA official George Holland says. But no matter how par for the course these daily problems are, the MBTA this weekend averted a more significant, threatening electricians strike. The electricians, whose contract expired August 31, recently voted overwhelmingly to strike, a union official says. Around-the-clock negociations ended with the electricians voting on September 6 to accept the new contract. "The strike would have been a disaster for the MBTA," Holland admits. This averted "disaster" is one of the few bright spots...
...Line extension, which was originally slated to go from Harvard all the way to Arlington. They lost the suit and construction continued, as did the problems. Before the construction even began, tight finances cut short the line at Alewife Brook Parkway instead of Arlington. But once the MBTA surmounted the legal and financial battles a few years ago, the plan hit few other hurdles--until...