The Amalgamated Transit Union met this morning with local unions and community organizations to discuss ways of averting the Port Authority's planned 15 percent service reduction scheduled to begin March 27.

The union representing Port Authority drivers and mechanics again expressed its opposition to the decision to make transit service cuts in order to spread $45 million in emergency state funding it got over 18 months instead of using the money to keep service operating at current levels a shorter period.

Local 85 president Patrick McMahon said the union has discovered $21 million in potential savings in its analysis of the authority's current budget.

Mr. McMahon plans to speak against the planned March reductions at the authority's board meeting Friday morning following a rally by the union at Mellon Square Park, he said.

Today's meeting was an effort to establish a coalition of community organizations around workers' issues, including the current transit cuts. Groups present included the BlueGreen Alliance, Working America, United Food and Commercial Workers, the International Association of Fire Fighters and Pittsburgh Interfaith Impact Network.

"These folks will help us deliver our message," Mr. McMahon said. "They're just one more group able to show that there is an alternative to these cuts."

First Published: February 21, 2011, 7:00 p.m.