Winter Woes 
Weary Homeowners Battle Stubborn Ice And Snow

Alfred Weisenbacher 
Jan. 10, 1994 
Alfred H. Weisenbacher, 68, Of Country Club Apartments, Dallas, Died Monday At 
Veterans Administration Medical Center, Plains Township.

By ROBERT SITTEN; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Wednesday, January 12, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A QUICK WORDS: BUS OFFICIALS SEEK AID
IN NATION'S CAPITAL 





WILKES-BARRE -- By today's end, the Luzerne County Transportation Authority
management could have a better idea of just how much longer it will be able to
continue service. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Harold Edwards, the LCTA's executive director, and board solicitor Joseph
Blazosek are meeting today with the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington,
D.C., to appeal for the release of $940,000 in federal aid. The government has
withheld the money because of a collective bargaining dispute between the
authority and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 164, which represents LCTA's bus
drivers and mechanics. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The union's attorney in its Washington office also will be present at the
10:30 a.m. meeting, Edwards said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If the federal aid is released, the LCTA could keep running through the end
of June, said board member Paul Zavada. If it isn't, the authority has
$400,000 in county funds to "Band-Aid" them through, early February at best,
he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The federal money covers day-to-day operating expenses, including salaries. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 During a reorganization meeting Tuesday, Zavada moved that steps be taken
to "curtail operations" in case the government doesn't release the funds. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It could mean cutting out routes and laying off personnel," Zavada said
after the meeting. From nine to 13 people -- including drivers, mechanics, and
any other personnel -- could be laid off unless the federal aid is released. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The union said the LCTA violated a collective bargaining agreement when it
passed a $2-an-hour cut of union wages on Sept. 30, after the contract between
management and the union expired. The union asked the government to hold the
$940,000 until the wage cuts are rescinded. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Conrad Sarnecki, who was elected chairman of the LCTA board on Tuesday,
said the union's refusal to reach an agreement with the authority is "like
shooting themselves in the foot," because layoffs are a possibility. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They're going to have to sit down with us soon and reach some concessions.
We don't care what the concessions are, but they've got to come up with
something," Sarnecki said. "It's beneficial for them to keep holding out
because they keep their full pay scale and benefits package. But it's hurting
the whole authority." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Union President Fred Palmer could not be reached for comment Tuesday night. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Sarnecki said it's unlikely routes would be cut, but layoffs could cause
service to suffer. For example, he said, a bus that usually makes a stop every
half-hour could go to an hour, or every two to three hours. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The driver wouldn't make as many stops because he'd have more territory to
cover," Sarnecki said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Even if the authority gets the $940,000, it likely won't be a cure-all,
Sarnecki said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We've got a $150,000 loan payment coming up at the end of January. One of
the things we've got to figure out ... (today) is exactly what we're going to
do with the money," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Edwards said he and Blazosek are going to Washington intending to know
something by the end of the day. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We're not going down there to drag this thing out," he said.

Bus Officials Seek Aid In Nation's Capital 
They'll Appeal For Release 
Of $940,000 In Federal Aid, 
Which Is Deemed Crucial To 
Continuation Of Bus Service

Bus Officials Seek Aid In Nation's Capital They'll Appeal For Release Of $940,000 In Federal Aid, Which Is Deemed Crucial To Continuation Of Bus Service