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ski_adk wrote:Union power disintigrated when Reagan fired the Air Traffic Controllers. This strike will probably be the nail in the coffin for the union movement. Now, I can't really take sides on this matter because I really can't relate to either party in this disupte.

But what I can say is that all of the calls for jailing the strikers (I've seen these on TV News a lot the past couple of days) are terrifying. Seriously, jail time for people fighting for employee rights??? The day that happens will be the official re-institution of slavery in this nation.

To hear daily users of the MTA system complain that the strikers' jobs are so easy and meaningless is a real laugh. Especially since the same people who took the services for granted are now so terribly hard-up for transportation. People on TV yesterday were saying that the jobs don't deserve higher pay, more benefits, etc., because a trained monkey could do it. I don't know...maybe I'm just a trouble-maker type, but I think this thing is good in that maybe it will teach people to respect those who provide the infrastructure for us to make our money and do our jobs. If anything, I hope this will at least teach all of us to appreciate the people who make our daily lives smoother and more comfortable. I know it's a big hope, but you don't really appreciate something or someone until it's gone.

I have to agree with you. And to take it a step further, one thing I found appaling is Mayor Bloomberg's attitude. Yesterday there was a news report that says he stated that the MTA should not go back to negotiating until the TWU goes back to work. I figure that in the best interest of the city, he should try to do what ever he can to resolve the strike instead of trying to antagonize the strikers. He should engourage talks instead of discourage. I'm sorry, but I find him to be just one very arrogant bastid.

spanky wrote:My prediction. The subways and buses will be running again before tomorrow's (12/23) rush hour. Not saying the strike will be resolved, but I'll bet the workers will be back by tomorrow.

No inside information. Just a hunch.

Going back to work...

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ski_adk wrote: To hear daily users of the MTA system complain that the strikers' jobs are so easy and meaningless is a real laugh. Especially since the same people who took the services for granted are now so terribly hard-up for transportation. People on TV yesterday were saying that the jobs don't deserve higher pay, more benefits, etc., because a trained monkey could do it. I don't know...maybe I'm just a trouble-maker type, but I think this thing is good in that maybe it will teach people to respect those who provide the infrastructure for us to make our money and do our jobs. If anything, I hope this will at least teach all of us to appreciate the people who make our daily lives smoother and more comfortable. I know it's a big hope, but you don't really appreciate something or someone until it's gone.

How many people could replace striking train operators? I'd guess 80% of the adult population of NYC could be trained to do that job in short order.
Simple supply and demand. Jobs that virtually anyone can do never command high salaries and never will.

Importance has very little to do with. Actually, in many respects every job is (or should be) important.

andyzee wrote:
ski_adk wrote:Union power disintigrated when Reagan fired the Air Traffic Controllers. This strike will probably be the nail in the coffin for the union movement. Now, I can't really take sides on this matter because I really can't relate to either party in this disupte.

But what I can say is that all of the calls for jailing the strikers (I've seen these on TV News a lot the past couple of days) are terrifying. Seriously, jail time for people fighting for employee rights??? The day that happens will be the official re-institution of slavery in this nation.

To hear daily users of the MTA system complain that the strikers' jobs are so easy and meaningless is a real laugh. Especially since the same people who took the services for granted are now so terribly hard-up for transportation. People on TV yesterday were saying that the jobs don't deserve higher pay, more benefits, etc., because a trained monkey could do it. I don't know...maybe I'm just a trouble-maker type, but I think this thing is good in that maybe it will teach people to respect those who provide the infrastructure for us to make our money and do our jobs. If anything, I hope this will at least teach all of us to appreciate the people who make our daily lives smoother and more comfortable. I know it's a big hope, but you don't really appreciate something or someone until it's gone.
I have to agree with you. And to take it a step further, one thing I found appaling is Mayor Bloomberg's attitude. Yesterday there was a news report that says he stated that the MTA should not go back to negotiating until the TWU goes back to work. I figure that in the best interest of the city, he should try to do what ever he can to resolve the strike instead of trying to antagonize the strikers. He should engourage talks instead of discourage. I'm sorry, but I find him to be just one very arrogant bastid.

Appalling? The Mayor is simultaneously upholding the law and putting pressure on the union to go back to work. The city WAS negotiating. The union drew a line in the sand and said we're not going to negotiate any longer, walked away from the table, and walked off the job. That was done to pressure the city. They city pushed back. It's not appalling, it's part of the process once the union walks.

andyzee wrote: I have to agree with you. And to take it a step further, one thing I found appaling is Mayor Bloomberg's attitude. Yesterday there was a news report that says he stated that the MTA should not go back to negotiating until the TWU goes back to work. I figure that in the best interest of the city, he should try to do what ever he can to resolve the strike instead of trying to antagonize the strikers. He should engourage talks instead of discourage. I'm sorry, but I find him to be just one very arrogant bastid.

That was more Pataki than Bloomberg anyway.

I am relieved the strike is just about over.

I don;t blame bloomberg for his tough talk. many other NYers agree with his view and threat of fines probably are what compelled the union to get back to the table. i agree that the TWU workers do a thankless and even dangerous job, but all in all I don;t believe they are poorly compensated and their pension benefits are far and away better than most.

However, I do think he;s deflecting the blame a bit for what amounts to a lacklustre response to a situation the city government should have saw coming and have a better contigency plan for.

"I'ts Over Johnny"
I am sure glad that the strike had no effect on me or my life style.

1/2/3 was normal this morning at 5 AM