Turnpike turmoil

Pay identified in the Boston Herald today the business manager of local 127 and that's the union that represents toll collectors. The gentleman's name is Robert -- and he is joining us on the line here -- ignorance forum he knows that some things have been said about his members. Bob Cullen and welcome to -- department thanks for joining us. I'm doing great but let me get right to an accusation that was made we have a couple of calls during the break that I thought clean it up but I want to hear it from you. On behalf of -- member straight from the horse's mouth get a column was suggested that you are members -- contract. I'm not authorized or require -- of obliged to reconcile the cash dryer at the end of the shift they can just do whatever and if it doesn't match up -- doesn't match up. There's no there are no consequences to your members is that an accurate depiction of the contract -- not.

That's ludicrous and whoever whoever brought out their. Not like has thrown out for a product that too. Two make a toll collectors and probably the topic of article. Look look bad because -- there's been so collected over the -- and recently. Have lost their jobs because we can't accurately collectibles in debate have. If they've -- a twenty dollar you know a couple of times via pay they've gone they I have.

So there right cotton Iraq consequences that I just want to I sometimes like to put myself in the shoes of -- as a toll collector tomorrow I I suppose to some training fart in at the end of the shift ever at the end of every single shift that I do. What yet telling me -- is you have to be a reconciliation that matches up the number cows that went through and the cash that I collected has to be squid.

Ask him right on the money right but apparently yup and it and it doesn't come right on the money. -- discipline.

Let me jump to another controversial one there's again -- talking about colony and he is the business manager of local 127 and that's the union that represents. The -- take is on the pike. Then in the news a lot lately I'm -- you members get frustrated with some of these accusations that it made Bob people say I hate those guys make 60000 dollars a year. And that's an outrageous salary compared to what they're paid in other states if price data tomorrow stay with me in my hypothetical vice not a tomorrow. What would I be paid and how to white work my way out of management responsibilities of what of one of the what's the pay scale when I get.

Oprah's book is that a Camara as a toll collector -- you -- a part time okay and it would work anywhere between it shows a week. And 32 -- week which part time it would get part time benefits and it is you'd make about twenty -- are up but part time benefits includes. Insurance at 65% -- While a -- about that that's that's work and two half days a week. Behavior church so when people talk about insurance a typical pitcher.

How long does it if I'm right up against the clock Bob I want to two more quick quick questions how long would it take me to transition to full time. It's just not getting some of the better benefits that give negotiate.

Probably 567 years old yes it's it's not like -- to become full pads are at at a public and the electric trap but I. Is the most well maintained wrote in the country and you know the borrowing in the state police and everything else in the -- certain topic it's gonna -- You know that's the only place in the country get this. And in the toll toll increases they just go to pay depicted. Primitive state and have to pay for the Big -- that the the road will make a profit.

Yeah well I made I made a reference that on the last segment that you know unfortunately the cost pressures of the Big Dig forced everybody including the legislature -- a pot of it so I'll take my blame on my responsibility. We put an obligation on the pike and Massport and others to pitch in it to come up -- hundreds of millions of dollars that really is not. Not really popped out of the central operation. Hey Bob -- and again I wish we had a little bit more time I'm glad you called in and at least clarified those couple of instances that a couple of questions that I had. And dad don't hesitate to come back and join us we're up against the break when we come back we'll talk to Mary -- she is on the board. Of the master -- authority with had -- a -- reports it's -- the call and we'll talk to her about the range of problems that they face at the master -- authority I'm Tom -- I'll be back to you in a moment on AM 680 WRKO we have been talking about. The master -- authority and each paper reporting. The variety broad variety of challenges faced by commission callable which the the members of the turnpike board. Authority in we're delighted to welcome back because she is joined us. A couple of different times frequently already Mary Condit and who serves on the board of the Mass Turnpike authority welcome back Mary continent. Good to -- voice -- the papers outfield today -- that chock full of news about. The multitude of challenges that the turnpike authority faces issues with regard to. Toll collection should it be fast pass an automated -- more toll collectors. What's the most cost effective and efficient way to go issues of the financing challenges some of the debt that it inherited from various measures that we used to pay for the Big Dig and then last but not least. Infrastructure issues roads and bridges and tunnels under the our authority -- under the jurisdiction I should say of the turnpike including we will gathering -- to -- that the Ted Williams tunnel not engineer to provide sufficient crawl space for the engineers to do structural soundness test. We do you want us not that's a lot Mandy who.

Outlook opens at a long list of activities and these are involved in areas that we. Okay and then it is or -- that was for -- at all one particular meeting though it's gonna have prioritized forward. Really finances are used issues as you know once the -- it was instructive or it was controlled through. It's sort. The finances of basic. Her roughly one point 81 point nine billion dollars worth of sixty are. It's sort and that is we are in in the operations of the party -- see the basic operations of running. As well as if they so we're we're at this position. For years ago and is in right now all of this as. Just -- it very private probably if it's not.

Not enough Mary let me do let me let me jump right to the issue that we see around now and I don't -- to grasping at straws but I see. A very very low cost interest rate environments and likely to go lower as the Fed contemplates yet another rate cut. Does that provide any opportunity is there -- is zero window the where the turnpike might look at some of this more expensive debt that you -- yet he had heaped on -- To pay for the Big Dig and at least make it. Less expensive data and other debts not going to go away but is there a way to refinance at that might be advantageous.

Right before portion of the -- back in 2001 when interest rates again get below are. Our -- by the party to its its its of the lower -- entry in what's called true it was with. Option it's basically it's perfect or earning the advantage of lower interest rate. In lock it that they are -- It artwork pullout -- it in its its its its lower rates for --

Okay actually the -- lock you locked into that in an. This debt if my recollection is that at least portions of federal highway money pledged all the way up to 2017 about ten years hands. How long is that term on the debt this this debt that you just reference to swap. Option debt from 2001.

Orbit that was forty you're what are out there on one -- it was rough it. This options region roughly a third of the and as the other is indeed all of which it calls you out. So -- what happened. But that we put if it were pretty much walked. -- I.

Wow so you've got you've got to go to no escape hatch from very very high -- did you become like a beleaguered homeowner are beleaguered business Otto just. Where the with a mountain of debt is crushing any other opportunities that you have that. To be creative and so you know to to to run a tight ship.

We take a hundred million dollars to set up to four on our debt service after. Inside 128 it is that you heard on the floor. That makes it very difficult operate in very efficiently when you're paying 800 million dollars I beat him.

Let's shift let's shift gears a little bit I I you know I know -- I think I can anticipate that most of the motorists who use the turnpike who really would like you to have a low cost debt but their eyes glaze over you and I have this conversation yet they're cruising up to a toll plaza right now. And there are lots of lines in front of them and some of them have fast pass and some of them are going to go through and give him money two way yet to -- collect. What are the options in that in in that dimension of the the operation how can you make to commute easier how can you provide some type of fair treatment even discount to treatment for regular commuters. And -- reconcile these issues with the union.

Very easily operating efficiently but oh well it is our priority of the board to. Collectible annually cost 27. 17 it. Seven and what expect it's -- had recommended and I strongly walk away. -- Shortly I read it in action. -- Well there it right through but that would also be -- for people or war or. More -- 18 get what are off. Leader Eric 128 was at -- areas I'd say there are. --

It in yet if I was some not but if I was representing the union address what I -- when you -- all that -- is that the jobs of the toll collectors really the days of that might be numbered -- at least. Pretty much -- substantially limited from what we've known of the past.

Well -- you cannot -- in not getting on there is he told them. Cool collected in the job to get in -- it went -- the most efficient.

Yup absolutely. Last question that I -- take a call at two and a work in a former colleague as well into the conversation but on the infrastructure issue in the absence of crawl space affiliated design crawl sufficient crawl space into the Ted Williams tunnel. Is there -- remedy Mary I mean I'm a civilian I don't pretend to have. Construction or architectural experience it seems to may what's been designed and built as designed and built its underwater. You don't have much share a room it's not like putting in addition on -- home might help but they'll be do.

Well apparently it -- it's like I felt all the attic access what the problem. I think there are from. But it they say it is in port. That subject is lack of -- Actually caught. So right he might make sense of there goes to take that -- might not yet ready but I -- they are big they expect an imminent danger there.

I'll pretend I can't speak for the -- the whole motoring public -- know it's presumptuous of me but we'll give up the cosmetics for the safety any day of the week right you got it. Let's let's take a call from authoring Cambridge out the welcome you run the deal with Tom Finneran and Mary confident member of the turnpike authority board of directors.

Thank you mr. -- and I'd like to address the Serb republic might my eight. My right is that I think this is so horrible crime against the people Weston Massachusetts -- there and spoke to be taken down in 1984 but Big Brother and now access they want to keep the thing in operation. People Massachusetts should have. And awareness of this this is a terrible terrible crime against the trucking industry. As well all the people Weston Massachusetts or anyone who uses the that -- like they should be paying any toll. And I am so disappointed in this governor who says reaching an -- is all baloney if he had any kind of sense or any kind of our. He would treat the people who Weston Massachusetts the -- especially since he comes from the African American race. He should have a feeling for a -- headset that the end and a sense of empathy for the people who Weston Massachusetts are people paying anywhere but 2000 at 10000 dollar a year per vehicle.

The let me give -- chance to respond I just want to make sure I put in my comment to your comment. And that is this I'm not sure what the governor's race has anything to do that I think it's a fair point about the east west. In equity but I don't think it has anything to do with rates -- read out his commentary about the -- justice I think that was the word that he used against western Massachusetts folks I know you've spoken about this before what's your take on out this commentary.

It was our equity the only -- It should not our schools well where it's not these -- with X -- They didn't for various -- Why -- one portion of the population subsidize the seat back. All the schools. But the rules that -- that -- though there is very. -- And those who act on it for writing you know it coming on all in there yeah. People you know west or west are paint balls and is it in for -- Saying war that it -- The question are which are --

Mary you and I might agree on the inequity evident mentioned it myself we you know well before we reached out Q and you kind of have to come on an and I can see the inequity and I'm a guy who live south of the city's element north south commuter and I don't beer that costs that many others do on a daily basis. That being said if we weren't going to eliminate all the tolls and in and develop a more equitable response are more equitable approach to this challenge. We would have to find a new revenue source from some where else whether that's gas tax. Or some other form of revenue would we not because the costs don't disappear the cost of maintaining the road policing the wrote an in and paying for the you know just the operational side.

In other -- or increase our. For the caught -- isn't going to hear from a -- and my. Yup it's aspect of the office of funding -- My opinion on the war on you know with you know -- and there are reasons. Yes oh you know that he basically right now I'm saying my name is more efficient cars. Right now SB many reasons. --

Well thirty million bucks it's there to begin -- yup yup I.

Rate capped at nine cents in that was reason enough money on its turn it in with the it ever it or -- who have the world means the mother has.

Other construction let's take a grip -- thing. Ordinary I'm sorry go ahead.

That is within nine cents in yet for all the gas prices are so large now the right sense -- person rising. 1000 miles on it and -- eight dollars and -- in the like you're saying -- year -- you know for whatever --

You probably injured area know your regular listener and also we appreciate -- you're always -- to come on -- really very very bluntly and candidly about these issues. You've heard me talk about the reached Peter and -- struck by two guys have worked with -- everyday they -- run that east west. Commuter route tracked it and you know it's over a grand apiece for them and their families that's that's hotter and money out of pocket money that. You know obviously they could do lots and lots of things with zero young and growing families let's take a call from Chris in Somerville. Chris you're on the with Mary -- man with Tom Finneran. Good morning --

You know it's -- to me is going to go to try to force -- to -- transponders public to know is -- stock in these companies it. If you guys are acting in the fashionable corporation a little bit beside myself during this try to think in my composure. -- I'd go to north bridge which is a 45 minutes 4515 minute trip down the pike once we could cost me twenty dollars in -- round trip. And it cost me now 450 just take people like older once a week that -- mean now all a lot of money just to go once a week.

Yeah it's better than a grand a year just for once a week Mary you hear chris' point about transponders you know career -- potential at least conflict of interest in the like how does the board go I'm the turnpike go about protecting itself from that type of it's not really an accusation but that type of climate at least -- from from the public.

Well it it does make sense our -- you get on what economic terms. What you're going to emerge I think for the between on it would taper -- over time. If you aren't Cambridge say it twice it's saying all right at orange area -- At all one -- Going up north -- War are not using it on our using it on every day. -- I operate the idea fire work. Actually it came on as a way more sensitive to drivers. It's the most on the school sense -- we're not all there is not being in school. I didn't make that in wonders are currently available it is possible.

And -- it out. Before we go to representative David that's he's been holding for awhile and knows this stuff back and foods that really on the on the frontline in the fight. I don't I don't like to let the suspicions -- the with three got -- would have accompanied manufactures and and you know sells these transponders. I assume what you folks have to file conflict of interest statements with the ethics commission in terms of stock and the all that stuff so that I -- is complete transparency anybody can look at. With a very confident our Alamo bowl which are anybody else for that -- owned stock in XYZ company.

The -- it all up in our all of our. -- We basically make public what our -- if it.

In the life for the high paid job I don't you know pretty pretty soon they are going to be -- by category -- would be accuse you of the you know lazy all the paid hack as opposed to the person who's just killing himself -- itself with thousand dollars speaking of a -- Absolutely yeah it is that you read violation of the minimum wage statute by the time it's all all that have done. We'll speak and hot work and policy -- we have on the line representative David Lewinsky state representative from Natick he knows this issue pretty well pretty well David thanks to hold about a thanks for joining -- confident --

The point -- happen to be on I'm actually driving on the map I don't. Mark always been meet -- Reagan and the chime in because when -- stores like repair chemical called today it -- Quote -- and -- removed -- it means another quarter another fifty that that every stoplight that. That they're going from my constituents and that's what really really irks me is beyond premise of the way to western suburbs hit it every day there.

Yeah I we've talked about that a -- you know if you -- I know you run a whole different why the injured Gary Condit and say hey this is an outrageously in equitable way to finance said. Gas tax or some other vehicle would really spread the burden more fairly allocated and a -- bases across the board. EU when I would have had -- differences of opinion on it only because what what was tip O'Neill's famous saying all politics is local. I just don't worry I don't think you gonna get much sympathy from your colleagues on the an officer of south stroh's say yes David I can feel -- constituents but don't. Don't a lot of my guys from Plymouth let -- stereo from Melrose wrath.

it that's the real problem well what happens is that when you look at the plug and a -- some biker bar but -- enormous -- It's the federal budget for operating and maintenance of that metropolitan highway so it's about a 110 million dollars a year out the problem is that the debt service. For the big big pot stumpel and partner that they declared the Ted Williams tunnel. The death sort of automatic -- manual trigger about a 120 million dollars a year look better is that for every dollar that was raw onion at deplorable all. After that money goes to pave a road user the central artery in the tunnel on the signal -- and the people at least guys spent a lot of -- take -- at all and that's what really really -- enforced and that's what I am. My predecessors in the legislature stack as were only trying to did dig ourselves all of -- all of but the reality it. We we just want all like a couple of months ago and we -- unfortunate thing the turnpike authority is going to be wars. They had raised called again I would -- under the the that but Arthurs attempt to public opinion got a real problem here. But the reality years. Is that the big big great project -- economic benefits for. Not only eastern Massachusetts but Hogue brought off New England it's it's a -- benefit we need a city wide fund solution. And what we can't do with a coupon -- and so. For current squad group massacred people and that those simple happened -- equipment western suburbs.

May -- out of her response to Davis comments.

David is absolutely correct it is it is incredibly in all it -- the first all -- went through in January eight board voted on. Was based on the that it it might -- temporary right in other people wrote in that was the it was in -- Legislation called 488 where all the 8888. It's not -- after that was definitely in -- The turnpike these temporary measure the hopper and yes there is that it is 2008. 4 barely credible and a separate measure is absent some other fraud they --

It -- in find more apt actually.

Final comment that we can't a -- a hot against a break -- denigrated thank you very very much David you -- Gary Condit and board member it's highly sympathetic in complete agreement. At this point though even that type a sympathetic response doesn't give you much hope does -- for a for an equitable solution in 2008.

There are. I'm tired out of the -- could go to and that he understands the -- almanac I'm anxiously awaiting them to finish that master and they opened their books I've -- handed. In expressing my constituents -- and I I think that we're going to see them -- and what we have to make sure is that the turnpike authority doesn't. People aren't picking up by the financial responsibility for and at someday like to talk about the green -- because that's and that's been that's going to be it or -- in that --

Hey David I -- way to reach out and get you so while I'll follow up on that I know you're a new way to ways and means hearing Mary's been great weather at times so appreciate both of that safe travel on the Tyco wherever else you read travels might take it today and I'll -- you to go