Greedy, selfish NYC transit workers threaten strike

[DinoDoc]

I've had my IR exam. I'm done polluting this thread this thread. If you'd like to continue the discussion, make a new thread and I'll happilly join you there. Just make it on a broader topic, ok. There is only so long that I can discuss the meaning of the word hegemon without going insane.

[Caligastia]

So union decided to continue negotiation instead of sticking to their midnight deadline. To me, this appears to be a small victory for the MTA as it gives the impression that the union is less serious about striking.

I hope they don't strike while everyone is at work.

At least I know the tram to Roosevelt Island will be working in the event of a strike.

[Caligastia]

No comments eh?

[Boris Godunov]

This is exactly how it's supposed to go. Both sides make unreasonable demands, they meet on a compromise. Told ya.

[Caligastia]

WHo says they are going to meet on a compromise with out a strike? Do you think a strike is out of the question?

[GePap]

A strike is not out of the question: but the two sides seemed to have gotten down to one single sticking point: the mythical 0% wage increase for year one. We shall see by 5pm and the big union rally in front of city Hall.

Personally, the MTA should just propose something small, like .5% increase, or shift some of the proposed 2 or 3% wage increases by year 3 up to year one, and get things settled. I understand what the major is trying to do in pressuring the MTA to stick to 0% this year, so that he will have a stronger hands against Firemen and policemen when their contracts come up for negotiation, sicne if the TWU gets a raise, no matter how small, those unions will demand at least something similar at this time of budget crisis. At the same time, the city economy can't handle a strike. So the possible 100 milion cost over one year is better than a 200 million dolar a day cost to the economy as a whoe if a strike occurs, and all the pebnalties on the union members won't help either: it hardly helps the local economy even if it satisfies bloodlust.

[Caligastia]

Is 5pm the new deadline?

[GePap]

At 5pm the TWU will start a huge rally, which is supposed to end in front of CVity Hall. Toussant (the TWU chief) is expected to talk to the workers then, and it is expected that, if no settlement has been reached by then, he will state so to the workers at the rally, and at that point, a strike threat resumes.

[Caligastia]

I didn't think the strike threat was over, so how can it resume? Do you mean they intend to strike then and there?

[GePap]

If there is no final agreement by 5pm, then that seems the most likely time when a strike would begin. Toussant has to say something to the TWU by then.

[chequita guevara]

One of my former comrades from the revolutionary (Hah!) socialist group Solidarity ran for TWU leadership about four years back. He was defeated by massive vote fraud, but the incumbants were finally ousted in the last union election. (There was also a lot of money fraud, they practically bankrupted the local.) I'm sure he still has a bit of influence in the union.

[Caligastia]

Originally posted by GePap
If there is no final agreement by 5pm, then that seems the most likely time when a strike would begin. Toussant has to say something to the TWU by then.

I hope not! How will I get to my math final?

[Boris Godunov]

Crap, crap crap....does not look good...

[GePap]

Current news are optimistic: progress seems to have been made. Toussant could simply go the the rally and tell the TWU that progress has been made, they won consecions on many issues and that a final greement on wages is pending.

[Caligastia]

I hope so...