Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

ubertuber · 12-20-2005, 05:22 PM

For those of you that aren't in the NYC area, there are a couple more issues at hand...

It is hard to sympathize for the striking workers when the Transit Authority made a new offer last night at 11 PM. This offer was rejected and the union made no counter-offer. It was at this point that the union walked out of negotiations and took 4 hours to decide to strike. It is not as if the union made some offer that was dismissed without a couter-offer. In fact, the opposite has occurred.

Further complicating the union's case is the fact that the national transportation worker's union DOES NOT SUPPORT local 100's decision to strike, as they see the Transit Authority's latest offer as representing progress.

Further, the issues left have to do with luxurious demands that do not fall into the category of basic work rights. The union wishes to lower the retirement age (with pensioned benefits) from an already low 55 to 50. The authority is willing to leave that age at 55. Do you get to retire when you are 50? I don't. I also don't get a pension. I get to contribute to a retirement plan. Secondly, the union is angry over the fact that the Transit Authority wishes for new workers to contribute part of their salaries to the pension plan - which is how most of the country does it. The employees will be guaranteed raises of 3%, 4%, and 3.5%, respectively, for the next 3 years. This is the minimum.

Keep in mind that these proposed changes are ONLY FOR NEW EMPLOYEES. They will not affect those already in the system. Secondly, remember what we've seen of pension plans in the last couple of years. To put it bluntly, even if the MTA agrees to the union's demands, the money simply won't be there. We can't afford it. Our system already faces a large deficit in the coming years, so this argument is moot in a way...

Also, NYC relies on its public transportation system to a much larger degree than other US cities. 7 million riders a day is a lot of people finding an alternative to work. The traffic regulations that the police are instituting in an admirable effort to keep things moving are making it nearly impossible to get around. Many businesses in the city, both small and large, are suffering immensely under the strain posed by this strike. I sincerely believe that the TWU has misunderstood its relationship to the public. This strike does not engender sympathy, and the longer it goes on, the more the public resents the histrionics Roger Toussaint (the local president) engages in for the press.

Cyn, I'm not sure that the fine scheme imposed is the one which doubles each day. I know that was discussed a couple of days ago, but everything I've seen today has omitted that detail. Too bad, because the idea of facing a $127 million in fines (total) by next Monday would probably give local 100 some motivation to work it out without breaking the law...

12-20-2005, 05:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
ubertuber spudly Location: Ellay	For those of you that aren't in the NYC area, there are a couple more issues at hand... It is hard to sympathize for the striking workers when the Transit Authority made a new offer last night at 11 PM. This offer was rejected and the union made no counter-offer. It was at this point that the union walked out of negotiations and took 4 hours to decide to strike. It is not as if the union made some offer that was dismissed without a couter-offer. In fact, the opposite has occurred. Further complicating the union's case is the fact that the national transportation worker's union DOES NOT SUPPORT local 100's decision to strike, as they see the Transit Authority's latest offer as representing progress. Further, the issues left have to do with luxurious demands that do not fall into the category of basic work rights. The union wishes to lower the retirement age (with pensioned benefits) from an already low 55 to 50. The authority is willing to leave that age at 55. Do you get to retire when you are 50? I don't. I also don't get a pension. I get to contribute to a retirement plan. Secondly, the union is angry over the fact that the Transit Authority wishes for new workers to contribute part of their salaries to the pension plan - which is how most of the country does it. The employees will be guaranteed raises of 3%, 4%, and 3.5%, respectively, for the next 3 years. This is the minimum. Keep in mind that these proposed changes are ONLY FOR NEW EMPLOYEES. They will not affect those already in the system. Secondly, remember what we've seen of pension plans in the last couple of years. To put it bluntly, even if the MTA agrees to the union's demands, the money simply won't be there. We can't afford it. Our system already faces a large deficit in the coming years, so this argument is moot in a way... Also, NYC relies on its public transportation system to a much larger degree than other US cities. 7 million riders a day is a lot of people finding an alternative to work. The traffic regulations that the police are instituting in an admirable effort to keep things moving are making it nearly impossible to get around. Many businesses in the city, both small and large, are suffering immensely under the strain posed by this strike. I sincerely believe that the TWU has misunderstood its relationship to the public. This strike does not engender sympathy, and the longer it goes on, the more the public resents the histrionics Roger Toussaint (the local president) engages in for the press. Cyn, I'm not sure that the fine scheme imposed is the one which doubles each day. I know that was discussed a couple of days ago, but everything I've seen today has omitted that detail. Too bad, because the idea of facing a $127 million in fines (total) by next Monday would probably give local 100 some motivation to work it out without breaking the law... __________________ Cogito ergo spud -- I think, therefore I yam Last edited by ubertuber; 12-20-2005 at 05:24 PM..