We are not in a good place. We should be closer now. There should be more progress. And I can't stand here and say that I am comfortable with the negotiations as they stand at this instant.

I think in addition to the fact that there's no progress to report, I think the MTA is very concerned that we are down to the wire. Obviously the MTA does not have any deadline on these talks. We have said we will continue to negotiate for as long as it's fruitful.

The MTA is quite concerned that we are now down to the last day before the union-imposed deadline.

We are comfortable with the terms of the tentative agreement. And the reason that we're comfortable is not only does it not reward the employees for going on strike - no matter how you spin it, none of the penalties are waived, mitigated, ameliorated or a blind eye cast to them. The contract is cheaper and better for the MTA than what was on the table at the time the strike commenced.

We are comfortable with the terms of the tentative agreement. And the reason that we're comfortable is not only does it not reward the employees for going on strike -- no matter how you spin it, none of the penalties are waived, mitigated, ameliorated or a blind eye cast to them -- the contract is cheaper and better for the MTA than what was on the table at the time the strike commenced.

We are not in a good place. We should be closer now.