NEW YORK (WPIX)—
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced a hiring freeze for city workers Tuesday, but he won't say anything about one at the MTA.PIX 11 News reporter Greg Mocker brought up the MTA's hiring practices at press conference with the mayor.
"I will leave the MTA to Jay Walder to run. He is as good an executive as I ever met," Bloomberg said.
The mayor had a lot to say about the MTA and how to run it when he was running for re-election. Last year, he released a plan with more than two-dozen points. The mayor also recommends 4 names to the governor to serve (and vote) on the MTA Board.
The mayor and MTA Chairman Walder appeared together Monday to show new security cameras in the busiest subway stations.
Last week, Walder told Mocker the MTA is a 24-hour-a day operation and employees will be needed to run it. Mocker continues to ask Walder and the MTA about his decision to create a new Managing Director for Efficiency Position (at a salary package of more than $250,000).
Tuesday, Mocker asked Walder how he monitors and measures the progress of Managing Director Diana Jones Ritter.
"We are making progress on exactly the set of steps we said we would lay out," Walder says. He cited the recent consolidation of the press office. 5 positions were eliminated. MTA is currently interviewing candidates for a newly created Senior Writer position.
"We are working on other efforts of consolidation: communications, IT and purchasing, and I think you'll see significant savings," he said.
There are no specific benchmarks or performance expectations in her contract. There is a $1500 a month housing allowance for the first year or until she sells her home.
MTA is also contributing the maximum amount allowed by law to her government retirement account: $16,500.
