Kathy Liebler
                        Director of Public Information


  C   O   M   M   I   S   S   I   O   N                N   E   W   S             R   E   L   E   A   S   E

    Contact: Lowman S. Henry (717) 939-9551 Ext. # 2934                        January 27, 1997

PA TURNPIKE HIRES CONTRACT NEGOTIATORS

        Harrisburg -- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has retained the services of Fox, Rothschild, O'Brien & Frankel of Philadelphia to conduct contract negotiations with Teamster locals representing Turnpike toll collectors, maintenance workers, clerical and administrative employees. The current three-year pact with members of Teamsters locals 77, 250 and 30 is set to expire at midnight on September 30, 1997. Some 1,800 Turnpike employees are covered by the bargaining agreements.
        The Turnpike Commission's bargaining team will be headed by Howard R. Flaxman who co-chairs Fox, Rothschild's Labor and Employment Law Department. Flaxman has practiced labor and employment law for over 25 years. He has served as chief labor advisor to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since 1995, helping to manage relations with 20 bargaining units.
        Fox, Rothschild handled labor matters for the Turnpike Commission from 1986 through 1994. Marvin L. Weinberg, who was lead negotiator for the Turnpike in a number of labor talks during that period will join Flaxman on the Commission's new negotiating team.
        Under terms of the current agreements, the average wage for a full-time toll collector or maintenance worker who has worked for the Commission for at least three years rose from $13.74 per hour to $15.24 per hour or $31,700 per year. Union members also receive a benefits package equalling 38% of their salary which includes paid medical, life, dental and vision insurance as well as a paid prescription program.
        "The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is pleased to have the services of Fox, Rothschild as we begin the important process of negotiating new contracts with the Teamsters," said Executive Director John T. Durbin. "We are embarking on this endeavor with a tremendous amount of good faith and a commitment to our mission of operating and managing in a fiscally responsible manner a safe, reliable and valued toll road system."

###

         P.O. Box 67676, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7676         Phone: (717) 939-9551         Fax: (717) 986-9649