Here we are as in olden days … 1980 to be precise. The local transit union has decided to strike again early this morning. No buses, no trains and plenty of chaos. It’s an illegal strike. It’s a pretty horrible joke to play on the city as well. It’s also a joke being played on the union members, although they don’t seem to realize it yet.
Union leaders are flexing some macho political muscle and the union members are pawns. The saddest part is these members believe the hype and think they are doing the right thing. A number of them actually believe that it is necessary to make a sacrifice now in order to get what they feel they deserve. Even the TWU International opposed the strike by the NY Local and has called for local president Roger Toussaint to step down.
In the past cops, fireman and teachers at one point or another all worked without contracts while successfully negotiating new benefits. So why should the transit workers be any different. Their role is still very much essential and, the loss of their services places us all in danger. This is why it is considered illegal for these groups to strike. When the doormen went on strike … big firggin’ deal! So people had to open their own doors and sign for their own parcels. This is quite different.
The thing I find profoundly sad is that the members don’t seem to realize that the sacrifice is going to be greater than the benefits for which they are fighting. The city is punishing them by docking to days pay for every one that they’re on the picket line. There is talk of fining the union itself upwards of $1,000,000 a day. I also think that, thanks to the cold weather, the breakdown of this strike will come once the members themselves realize that they cannot get around the city. Unlike the last strike that took place in April of 1980, it’s not so nice to be out on your feet.
On a positive note, my commute was cake today. I love the carpool restrictions. Part of the cities contingency plan was to not allow any cars with less than four passengers into Manhattan below 96th street up until 11:00 AM. This meant a super-fast commute for those of us who take a bus to work. The Lincoln Tunnel was empty, no lines at the tolls … it was great. I’m also not affected once I get into Manhattan since my office is so close to the Port Authority.