Well, personally I'm not usually against people getting to gether--it's called
collective bargainng-- and withold their Labor aka
Strike.
But it is no secret that that New York City is in post-disaster mode; the FIRE (finance,insurance, real estate) are down the tubes and are dragging the economy with it.
Also, the Midwest pulled the nation out of the last Recession ('92) with increased demands for exports of major capital goods.
Today, pretty much every major economy in the World is in trouble. And it is unlikely that the Country as a whole will easily pull out of the [yes, I know, officially we have aleady done it] current Recession
without New York State and California participating in a major way.
So what does our
Transit Union in a city of officially 8,000,000 and the Greater NY area in the 20's--millions do ?
Ah ! Threatens a STRIKE !
When ? MONDAY.
Mayor Bloomberg claims Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) can't afford big raises.
Roger Toussaint tells's Mayor to "Shut up" when he threatens heavy fines under the State's Taylor Law--which bans Strikes by public Unions.
Now, public posing --"fronting"--is nothing new around here. But of course when you go to the brink, you gotta be willing to go over. Thats the first rule of Brinkmanship: Don't go to the brink--unless you are willing to go over.
The last time the Transit Union pulled a strike was over twenty years ago and almost busted the Union as workers started crossing picket lines and trickled in, and fines piling up.
Million have already been spent in preperation.
The fare is $1.50 and already was heading to $1.75.
At $2.00, round trip is $4.00 a day. A family with four using Public Transpotation would spend $16.00 a day ; $320 a month. I am sure many reading this are paying more on transportation. But it still a lot in a town that is still reeling.
A strike will cause Retailer's to lose big time, as "impulse sales" are never made up. Retailing is a big industry here as people come from all over to shop in fancy stores.
The biggest industry in NYC measured in employment is Tourism. A city in transit paralysis is not quite a tourist draw and Tourism was already down post 9/11.
How far are the City and the Transit Union apart ? 18 % over three years.
When would the Strike begin? 12.01 AM. Trains and buses in service would complete their runs.
Then walk, bike, group ride, private van, drive, as best you can.
I've lived though two Transit strikes.
The City Too Tough to Die will survive.
And quite truthfully--unless Mr. "Shut up!" Tousaint wants to self-destruct-- and the City which found money for other worth causes can't do better than 0% the first year and "productivity raises" the next two years--we might yet see a Transit Strike starting at 12.01 am EST December 16th.
22 years ago I rode my bike 11 miles each way.
DooGs use Tandem bikes for our four paws ! Give turn-signs with our tails. Growl instead of pushing da horn. And use Fangs instead of Fingers.
MegalosSkylaki
g, I thought you took the Staten Island Ferry to work. Does the TWU run those too?
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