LA Mayor Eric Garcetti was able to restart stalled talks between Kinkisharyo International LLC and labor and community groups last week with the result that the manufacturer of rail vehicles will expand its light rail manufacturing plant in Palmdale instead of moving its operations out of LA County. Garcetti, at a press conference to announce resolution of the impasse, said "As I oversee the nation's largest public works project as Mayor and Metro chair, it's critical to me that our economy benefits from our $36 billion transportation build out. Creating good, local jobs as we strengthen our local infrastructure is key to my "Back to Basics Agenda." Noted Maria Elena Durazo, immediate past Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the LA County Federation of Labor, "Taxpayer-funded projects should benefit workers and residents [in LA County]."

The expansion will create up to 250 jobs building 97 additional cars. In total 175 cars being worked on in Palmdale will go into service on the Crenshaw, Expo and Gold lines.

Read the details on Metro's The Source.