Dozens of business and community groups today urged the Port Authority and its drivers' union leaders to work for "a responsible settlement" in the current labor dispute that threatens to disrupt service Dec. 1.

Specifically, they suggested that a fact finder's report issued in August become the basis for a new contract with Local 85, Amalgamated Transit Union, because it represents "a workable compromise."

The request to settle the impasse and avoid a transit crisis came from 37 sources, including the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development; Sustainable Pittsburgh; the African American Chamber of Commerce; and the Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development.

The authority's board accepted the fact finder's report of former Dickinson School of Law Professor Jane Rigler, the neutral third party appointed by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. The report was rejected later the same day by Local 85's 20-member executive board, thereby negating it as a deal-maker.

The groups supporting an end to the situation called upon union leaders to allow members to vote whether to accept Ms. Rigler's recommendation as a basis for a new contract.

They also called for the authority board "to indicate its willingness to accept those recommendations as a contract settlement, should the union approve them."

Because the fact finder's report was rejected by the union and further negotiations proved fruitless, the authority board has voted to impose its "last and final" contract as of Dec. 1. That could lead to a work stoppage that management has said would constitute a strike but the union has said would be a lockout and illegal.

In case of a service shutdown that would affect people accounting for 240,000 bus and trolley rides a day, the groups today introduced a Web site that will provide information and resources to help people get around.

The fact finder's report that the 37 agencies who gathered today want the union and board to reconsider recommends 3 percent annual wage increases but also proposed changes in healthcare coverage that would cut costs and discourage early retirements.

Wages would be increased by 3 percent on Jan. 1 of 2009, 2010 and 2011, ultimately raising the average bus and trolley operator's base wage to about $25.70 an hour and about $30 an hour for first-level supervisors in the final contract year.

Union contributions toward health, drug, dental and vision care, currently 1 percent, would be increased in steps to 3 percent of base wages, the same as management and non-represented employees are now assessed.

New language was also included for deductibles and co-pays.

A $500-a-month pension supplement would end for employees who retire early. The average retirement age is now 56.

Up to 150 days of unused sick leave that can be used to calculate pensions would be reduced to zero by Aug. 1, 2010.