Strike
No one really likes the MTA here in New York. There are always complaints about the fare hikes, the condition of the stations, the punctuality of the trains, and so on. The fact that they're ending the year with a billion dollar budget surplus makes them the target of everyone.
So now the transit workers' contract is up, and the union has its list of demands. Now, I'm not too terribly fond of unions (having come from Detroit and having seen their part in killing the city) but I can understand why they exist. The problem is that they start as reasonable groups of people trying to stick together, but end up as nasty, powerful beasts far worse than the management they fight.
The Transit Workers Union (TWU) is a case in point. It has the usual list of demands. Some I can support, like enough time for bus drivers to use restrooms without being late. But the most egregious demand of the union is an 8% pay raise each year for the next three years. That's nearly 26% in total, and when I heard it I was in shock. Were these people being serious? The MTA gave counteroffers that were rejected by the TWU as being insulting. And so goes the negotiation between them.
The deadline is now approaching, and the TWA's threatening to strike, though that's illegal under 1967's Taylor Law. And I'm feeling a bit screwed here. BlackRock doesn't have the resources to have many people work from outside the office, so their position is that whether or not there is a strike I have to show up. It's unknown whether any busses will be running, so what to do? Take a taxi? Could I even get one if everyone is trying to get one too? I could just walk. It's only about 3.5 miles from my apartment to work.
In any case, the union has no sympathy from me. As much as everyone dislikes the MTA, it's offering reasonable terms. By insisting on unreasonable raises and threatening to strike, the TWU is showing a much worse face.
Do you really think I'm going to be on your side by threatening to make me walk 7 miles a day in 30-degree weather? You assholes.
Comments
IMNSHO, The '69 riots, and Coleman Young killed Detroit, although the unions didn't help the situation. We had a few positive years under the Archer administration, but now we're in the same boat w/ Kwame Kilpatrick.
Having said that, it's hard to justify a demand of 8% indreases year after year, if anything, tolls shoudl be reduced to stave off another budget surplus.
Posted by: Charles Plater | December 14, 2005 3:52 PM
Fair enough. But as for the surplus, they're already pouring half of it back into the pension fund to keep it solvent, and they're forecasting budget deficits for the next few years. Granted they didn't forcast this year right, but what am I, an accountant?
I'll keep paying my $76/mo if I get my Second Ave Subway and station renovations. That's less than I was paying for insurance on my car, not to say anything about gas.
Posted by: Avi | December 14, 2005 3:58 PM