DC Metro Chief Gets $37.5K Raise Despite Worker Objections

The general manager of Washington's troubled Metro system has received a nearly 10 percent raise, over objections from agency workers. 

The Metro Board voted 7-1 Thursday to increase Paul Wiedefeld's salary by $37,500 and extend his contract to 2021. Although Wiedefeld hasn't received a raise or bonus since starting in November 2015, his new annual salary of $435,000 makes him one of the country's highest-paid public transit chiefs. 

Wiedefeld said he had received offers from other systems. 

Board member Michael Goldman was the sole dissenter, citing a time of a "shared sacrifice,'' which means higher fares and service cuts for riders and stagnant wages for workers. 

After a long-running impasse, the board also finalized contracts with the two largest unions, providing workers small cost-of-living raises.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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