New York Metropolitan Transit Authority no longer on strike! Pg.6

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - New York Metropolitan Transit Authority no longer on strike! Pg.6 (Page 1 of 4)

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:23:16 PM EDT

Here come the 12 hour tours and days off cancelled for us cops! Merry F-ing Christmas!

Shoule be interesting just trying to drive into work later today...

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Strike Deadline Passes in NY Transit Talks

Dec 20, 12:53 AM (ET)

By SARA KUGLER

NEW YORK (AP) - A strike deadline came and went early Tuesday with no word of a walkout, but prospects remained dim that negotiators would reach a deal to avert a crippling shutdown of the city's subway and bus system.

Talks broke down about an hour before the midnight strike deadline, and the Transport Workers Union and Metropolitan Transportation Authority offered bleak assessments of the possibility of avoiding a strike.

The 12:01 a.m. deadline passed with no word on whether transit workers would strike, however. The union board was meeting at its headquarters to discuss its next move.

Turning up the pressure on the city's transit agency, union members at two private bus lines in Queens walked off the job early Monday.

More than 7 million daily riders would be forced to find new ways to get around if the 33,000-member Transport Workers Union shut down the nation's largest transit system.

With an hour before the deadline, Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokesman Tom Kelly said the MTA put a fair offer on the table.

"Unfortunately, that offer has been rejected," he said.

Kelly did not elaborate and the union said only that president Roger Toussaint was on his way to union headquarters to discuss developments with the board, which would vote on whether to strike.

Earlier, Toussaint sounded pessimistic about reaching a deal as he appeared before a boisterous gathering of union members Monday evening.

"As we stand right now, with six hours to go until our deadline, it does not look good," he said. "I'm going to leave you now and go back to the hotel and give it one last shot."

MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow told New Yorkers to "keep your fingers crossed."

Meanwhile, the union posted a strike plan on its Web site, instructing members to lock up facilities safely and document everything they do to prevent "management sabotage."

If the union's executive board calls for a walkout, buses will drop off all passengers and return to their depots. Subways will finish their trips as turnstiles are chained and locked.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said a walkout could cost the city as much as $400 million a day - a figure that includes police overtime and lost business and productivity. It would be particularly harsh at the height of the holiday shopping rush.

The mayor said a strike would freeze traffic into "gridlock that will tie the record for all gridlocks."

Transit workers are barred under state law from going on strike. A walkout could bring punishing fines.

The workers' old contract expired early Friday, but the union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority agreed to keep talking through the weekend.

Many commuter were fed up with the uncertainty.

"Enough is enough," said Craig DeRosa, who relies on the subway to get to work. "Their benefits are as rich as you see anywhere in this country and they are still complaining. I don't get it."

The two sides were divided over wages and an MTA proposal to raise the age at which new employees become eligible for a full pension from 55 to 62.

More than 100 employees of the striking Jamaica Buses and Triboro Coach bus lines formed picket lines early in Queens, many chanting, "No contract, no work!"

Later in the day, hundreds of union members rallied outside Gov. George Pataki's office in midtown Manhattan, partly blocking traffic and screaming for a transit system walkout. Because the MTA is a state agency, Pataki has oversight of the transit authority.

"Shut it down!" they chanted.

The two striking bus companies serve about 50,000 commuters, and are in the process of being taken over by the MTA, meaning they are not yet covered by a state law that prohibits public employees from striking.

The last citywide bus and subway strike in New York was in 1980. The walkout lasted 11 days.

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:35:26 PM EDT

[#1]

Good luck bro !

I used to hate driving down into the city when the traffic was GOOD

Can just imagine what fun you're gonna have with them on strike...

Ouch

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:38:59 PM EDT

[#2]

GF just called me from NYC - said they did strike.
Too bad - really gonna put a damped on her trip.

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:39:17 PM EDT

[#3]

holy crap, it's gonna be fun in the city

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:45:49 PM EDT

[#4]

Oh, bleh

I'm glad I escaped while I could...

Never understood why/how they could justify SHUTTING DOWN a department of what, 50k people, all told, from drivers/operators to cleaning staff, preventing some 10+ million people from getting around, over some minor bullshit quabble...

*sigh*

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:47:44 PM EDT

[#5]

Posted: 12/19/2005 9:48:58 PM EDT

[#6]

How long until its Bushes fault?

Posted: 12/19/2005 10:42:54 PM EDT

[#7]

As I understand it they are legally prohibited from striking and lose 2 days pay for every day on strike, although apparently some of the bus drivers aren't bound by that.

Other than the actual drivers/mechanics of the trains, I would bet most of those jobs are unskilled and could be replaced quickly.

I seem to remember reading that even the station cleaners make $45k-60+.

Fuck em. They want to strike, I say we pull a Reagan and replace the lot of them. I'll bet you'd get 1000 applications for every vacancy.

Posted: 12/19/2005 10:45:42 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
As I understand it they are legally prohibited from striking and lose 2 days pay for every day on strike.

Other than the actual drivers/mechanics of the trains, I would bet most of those jobs are unskilled and could be replaced quickly.

I seem to remember reading that even the station cleaners make $45k-60+.

Fuck em. They want to strike, I say we pull a Reagan and replace the lot of them. I'll bet you'd get 1000 applications for every vacancy.

Posted: 12/19/2005 11:32:12 PM EDT

[#9]

what nuts to me is how much of a raise they want about 8 % per year for 3 years, if that was me it would mean a rasie of 16 thousand over 3 years, thats a real nice chunk of change. nothing like raises that are more than what some body at McDs make a year.

Posted: 12/19/2005 11:35:15 PM EDT

[#10]

Quoted:
what nuts to me is how much of a raise they want about 8 % per year for 3 years, if that was me it would mean a rasie of 16 thousand over 3 years, thats a real nice chunk of change. nothing like raises that are more than what some body at McDs make a year.

Rebuilding trannys and rear ends on buses is a bit more complicated than flipping a burger.

Posted: 12/19/2005 11:40:05 PM EDT

[#11]

Oh, but you see, unions are great!

It'd make me smile from ear to ear if all new people were hired to replace those striking. Then they'd really have something to bitch about!

Posted: 12/19/2005 11:41:58 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
what nuts to me is how much of a raise they want about 8 % per year for 3 years, if that was me it would mean a rasie of 16 thousand over 3 years, thats a real nice chunk of change. nothing like raises that are more than what some body at McDs make a year.

No, its 8% over 3 years

Posted: 12/19/2005 11:50:20 PM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:
Quoted:
what nuts to me is how much of a raise they want about 8 % per year for 3 years, if that was me it would mean a rasie of 16 thousand over 3 years, thats a real nice chunk of change. nothing like raises that are more than what some body at McDs make a year.

No, its 8% over 3 years

okay i kept hearing on the local news that it was 8 % per year. now 8 % over 3 years in very reasonable. heck i typically get 3 to 5 % per year, well i did before i started my own company. i personally think 4% should be standard, including minium wage.

Posted: 12/20/2005 12:00:29 AM EDT

[#14]

Looks like its happening

mta.info/strike/nyct.htm

As of approximately 3 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2005, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) called for a strike on MTA NYCT buses & subways. Accordingly, all NYC Transit subway and most bus service will not run.

* Staten Island Railway will operate additional weekday rush hour service.
o Stopping patterns on some trains will be modified.
o Crowded conditions are anticipated.
o Customers should allow extra travel time, and listen for conductor announcements.

* Access-A-Ride paratransit service will operate.
o Trips will be scheduled during the strike, but area roads are expected to be heavily congested and travel times will be longer than usual.
o Access-A-Ride customers should limit their travel to essential trips and be patient during any mass transit disruptions.

* It is unclear if the following services will operate (check here regularly for updates):
o NYC Transit local and express buses in Queens and Staten Island
o MTA Bus
o Green Bus Lines

* As of 12:01 on 12/19/05, two private bus lines in Queens, Jamaica Buses and Triboro Coach have gone on strike. Click here for more info.

Please be aware that service is subject to change.

Don't discard your MetroCard. It will retain its value after a strike as follows:

* Unlimited Ride MetroCard (including Reduced-Fare Unlimited Ride MetroCard) — 30-Day and 7-Day Unlimited Ride (as well as Express Bus Plus, Holiday Bonus, and Holiday Unlimited) cards will be extended for as many days as the strike lasts. In other words, you will not lose any time on your Unlimited Ride MetroCard as a result of the strike.
* Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard—your card is not affected.
* LIRR and Metro-North Mail&Ride MetroCard—customers holding monthly tickets with Unlimited Ride MetroCard will automatically receive credit for any unused portion of the MetroCard in the next statement.

Posted: 12/20/2005 12:49:18 AM EDT

[#15]

I heard that there was a court injunction that prohibited them from striking. Wouldn't it be cool if the union leaders got thrown in jail for shutting the city down during Christmas week?

Posted: 12/20/2005 1:05:36 AM EDT

[#16]

It's a terrorist plot. Get everyone stuck in there, no where to move and set of a huge fawkin bomb

Posted: 12/20/2005 2:06:25 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:
How long until its Bushes fault?

It already is.

If he didn't allow 9/11, we wouldn't have to worry about this.

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:27:51 AM EDT

[#18]

NYC Traffic is bad as it is.

Good luck

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:33:56 AM EDT

[#19]

I feel bad for you guys that have to go into NYC! Man that's gonna suck!

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:36:21 AM EDT

[#20]

People are lined up in the streets of queens, hundreds of them on street corners looking for ways into the city ! Its gonna be an interesting time, Im backing the strikers 100%

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:37:04 AM EDT

[#21]

Sorry to hear that Wave. Hope the strike ends before it screws up your holidays. Good luck brother.

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:39:03 AM EDT

[#22]

Usually when a union is under a NO-STRIKE law there is a provision for automatic arbitration. What happened in this case?

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:41:51 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
As I understand it they are legally prohibited from striking and lose 2 days pay for every day on strike, although apparently some of the bus drivers aren't bound by that.

Other than the actual drivers/mechanics of the trains, I would bet most of those jobs are unskilled and could be replaced quickly.

I seem to remember reading that even the station cleaners make $45k-60+.

Fuck em. They want to strike, I say we pull a Reagan and replace the lot of them. I'll bet you'd get 1000 applications for every vacancy.

+1, More union BS. Crazy-assed wages for mediocer work. What really gets me is you can plainly see the abuse of health care by fellow employees along with other abuses of benefits and people don't say anything. Workers in this country need to realize that they need to do their part to help reduce costs and then we don't get to this point.

I work for a construction company and I fully realize that if the owners dont make a profit, they sure as hell dont need any of us workers. They would close the doors and still be rich and we will all be looking for work.

Hope this ends before it screws up your holiday Wave.

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:49:12 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
Fuck em. They want to strike, I say we pull a Reagan and replace the lot of them. I'll bet you'd get 1000 applications for every vacancy.

+1

They violate a no-strike clause?

Hold the city hostage for higher wages? Nothing like fucking over someone else to get what you want. Throw the union out and fire the lot.

Posted: 12/20/2005 3:59:27 AM EDT

[#25]

New York City Transit Workers Strike

Dec 20, 6:59 AM (ET)

By DESMOND BUTLER

NEW YORK (AP) - Subways and buses ground to a halt Tuesday morning as transit workers walked off the job at the height of the holiday shopping and tourist season, threatening to plunge the city into chaos by forcing about 7 million daily riders to find new ways to get around.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the strike would cost the city as much as $400 million a day.

"I think they all should get fired," said Eddie Goncalves, a doorman trying to get home after his overnight shift. He said he expected to spend an extra $30 per day in cab and train fares.

Authorities began locking turnstiles and shuttering subway entrances shortly after the Transport Workers Union ordered the strike.

At one subway booth, a handwritten sign read, "Strike in Effect. Station Closed. Happy Holidays!!!!" At Penn Station, an announcement over the loudspeaker told people to "please exit the subway system."

Bloomberg has said the strike would be particularly harsh taking place during the holidays. He said a strike would freeze traffic into "gridlock that will tie the record for all gridlocks."

He began putting into effect a sweeping emergency plan to reduce gridlock and keep certain streets open for emergency vehicles. It included requiring cars coming into Manhattan below 96th Street to have at least four occupants.

New Yorkers were urged to make arrangements to car pool, bicycle and walk to work, or change their schedules and work from home.

The union called the strike after a late round of negotiations broke down Monday night. Union President Roger Toussaint said the union board voted overwhelmingly to call the strike.

"This is a fight over dignity and respect on the job, a concept that is very alien to the MTA," Toussaint said in announcing the strike. "Transit workers are tired of being underappreciated and disrespected."

The news drew an angry response from the mayor, governor and head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow called the strike "a slap in the face" to all New Yorkers and said state lawyers will immediately head to court in seeking to block the walkout.

"This is not only an affront to the concept of public service, it is a cowardly attempt by Roger Toussaint and the TWU to bring the city to its knees to create leverage for their own bargaining position," said Bloomberg at a news conference.

Bloomberg headed to the Office of Emergency Management headquarters and planned to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge on Tuesday morning to City Hall.

The union and MTA had worked furiously to try to reach a new contract, hoping to avoid the city's first transit strike in more than 25 years. It is illegal for mass transit workers to strike in New York, which means the 33,000 bus and subway employees will incur huge fines - two days' pay for each day on strike.

"They have broken the trust of the people of New York," said Gov. George Pataki. "They have not only endangered our city and state's economy, but they are also recklessly endangering the health and safety of each and every New Yorker."

MTA spokesman Tom Kelly said the agency "put a fair offer" on the table before talks broke down. "Unfortunately, that offer has been rejected."

The union said the latest MTA offer included annual raises of 3 percent, 4 percent and 3.5 percent; the previous proposal included 3 percent raises each year. MTA workers earn between $47,000 and $55,000 annually.

Pension issues have been a major sticking point. The MTA wants to raise the age at which new employees become eligible for full pension from 55 to 62, which the union says is unfair.

But Toussaint said the union wanted a better offer from the MTA, especially when the agency has a $1 billion surplus this year.

"With a $1 billion surplus, this contract between the MTA and the Transport Workers Union should have been a no-brainer," Toussaint said. "Sadly, that has not been the case."

The down-to-the-wire negotiations came as workers at two private bus lines in Queens walked off the job, a move meant to step up pressure on the MTA.

The contract expired Friday at midnight, but the two sides agreed to keep talking through the weekend and the union set a new deadline for Tuesday.

Commuter frustration was evident both before the strike and after it was called.

Darryl Padilla, a 20-year-old club promoter, was trying to get on the train at Penn Station when he found out that the strike had begun. He didn't have enough cash to take a cab to his home on the northern tip of Manhattan.

"I didn't think they were going to shut down. I can't take a cab," he said.

"Enough is enough," said Craig DeRosa, who relies on the subway to get to work. "Their benefits are as rich as you see anywhere in this country and they are still complaining. I don't get it."

In Queens, Brunilda Ayala said she had no sympathy for the union after the bus strike began in her neighborhood.

"How can you give a raise to a bus driver who would make three old ladies walk home in the cold?" asked Ayala, 57.

The strike is New York's citywide mass transit walkout first since an 11-day strike in 1980.

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:05:53 AM EDT

[#26]

Looking at the video from FNC right now of all the people walking to work. How many days of that before folks start getting froggy?

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:06:04 AM EDT

[#27]

"Hey! I'm walkin' here!"

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:09:08 AM EDT

[#28]

Bus drivers, mechanics and maintenance personnel walk a picket line in front of the 126th Street Bus Depot in Upper Manhattan after the Transport Workers Union ordered a strike against the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005. Subways and buses ground to a halt Tuesday morning as transit workers walked off the job following days of acrimonious labor talks. (AP Photo/David Karp)

Roger Toussaint, president of Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union, center, accompanied by Darlyne Lawson, left, recording secretary, and other union officials announces a strike after failing to reach a deal with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005, at the union headquarters in Manhattan. More than 7 million daily riders will be forced to find new ways to get around because of the strike. (AP Photo/David Karp)

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:15:32 AM EDT

[#29]

Quoted:
i personally think 4% should be standard, including minium wage.

That is a good way to keep inflation hovering around 4% forever.

The lack of basic economic knowledge on this board is amazing.

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:16:07 AM EDT

[#30]

Fire them all and start hiring back the ones that want to work.

Go without pay long enough and they'll get hungry and be willing to work for a lower price.

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:16:18 AM EDT

[#31]

Looks like I'm taking some days off!

by the way, the NYC murder rate declined another 14% last year

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:22:43 AM EDT

[#32]

Working from home today. Have Laptop, Will Travel (just not today).

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:30:56 AM EDT

[#33]

Happiness is getting to walk two miles from my (non-striking, coming in from out of state) train to my office because a bunch of jackasses are collectively having a "temper tantrum" because they aren't getting what they want.

If I don't get what I want at work, I go find another job.

Every one of them should be fired.

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:32:54 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:
People are lined up in the streets of queens, hundreds of them on street corners looking for ways into the city ! Its gonna be an interesting time, Im backing the strikers 100%

I'm backing their firing 100%

Idiots.

TXL

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:44:39 AM EDT

[#35]

A little O.T. for Wave, IMO, is good for the firearms industry.

Not knowing the details about the strike, right or wrong, usually nobody really wins.
Good luck Wave and NYC...I hope things get back to abnormal again soon!

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:51:02 AM EDT

[#36]

That's why I never support any 'gubment funded public transportation. I prefer to to drive my car around my schedule instead of someone else's bus, rail, tram schedule.

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:55:24 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
That's why I never support any 'gubment funded public transportation. I prefer to to drive my car around my schedule instead of someone else's bus, rail, tram schedule.

When you and 40,000 of your closest friends are all competing for three lanes to get to work on time, mass transit looks very very appealing.

If I lived where I could get around by mass transit, my car would be for entertainment and trips only.

Jim

Posted: 12/20/2005 4:56:35 AM EDT

[#38]

Quoted:
That's why I never support any 'gubment funded public transportation. I prefer to to drive my car around my schedule instead of someone else's bus, rail, tram schedule.

Although today you would get to do so with three strangers. What with manditory car-pooling and all.

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:10:32 AM EDT

[#39]

I agree with hire a whole new crew. They could probably save quite a few bucks.

Also a no-hire block on all who went on strike, and no union, make them all city employees (well, that is about as bad, but...)

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:14:01 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted: When you and 40,000 of your closest friends are all competing for three lanes to get to work on time, mass transit looks very very appealing. If I lived where I could get around by mass transit, my car would be for entertainment and trips only. Jim

The solution, build more roads. Roads don't go on strike.

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:15:30 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted: Although today you would get to do so with three strangers. What with manditory car-pooling and all.

I so sowwy. Car full of family headed to city. No room. Good day.

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:18:07 AM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
Fire them all and start hiring back the ones that want to work.

+1

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:33:28 AM EDT

[#43]

One of the bluest cities in the country. They are getting what they deserve.

You don't have that problem here in right-to-work land.

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:38:41 AM EDT

[#44]

Man, talk about a target rich enviornment for backpack bombers. I hope this gets resolved quick, for safety's sake.

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:41:38 AM EDT

[#45]

WWRD? (What would Reagan do?)

In August 1981, Ronald Reagan took an uncompromising stand against striking air-traffic controllers who threatened to shut down the nation's airlines. The striking workers complained of growing demands and dangerous levels of stress on the job. Their issues centered on wages, retirement benefits and hours.

The president announced the striking workers were in violation of the law, and he fired them, with little apparent remorse. Organized labor was furious while the public had a more mixed reaction. Even those within his own administration had their doubts about the move.

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:45:11 AM EDT

[#46]

Jeeze I would say they created a huge security risk... Fire all their asses and than hire new workers and give them the pay raise just to spit in the assholes faces.

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:47:49 AM EDT

[#47]

Holy Fucking Shit!

NYC is gonna be miserable

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:50:04 AM EDT

[#48]

every time NYC transit workers strike, god kills a kitten

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:52:06 AM EDT

[#49]

Funny.

The people that need the public transit the most, the

less wealthy, are the ones being impacted
by thier fellow "Working men and women."

Yes America...There's your unions at work.

Christ.

I'd kill for the bennies they have, and, they still want to strike.

Un friggin believeable.

PATCO now!

Posted: 12/20/2005 5:53:22 AM EDT

[#50]

Quoted:

I seem to remember reading that even the station cleaners make $45k-60+.

You could barely live on $60k/y in NYC

Fuck em. They want to strike, I say we pull a Reagan and replace the lot of them. I'll bet you'd get 1000 applications for every vacancy.

I agree, Capitalism will take over and the wages will adjust accordingly. If you can't hire someone at X$'s per hour and no bennies, you'll have to pay Y$'s and have these bennies to attract works. Unions had their place in time before federal laws protected workers, now many simply are extortionists preying on the workers they represent and the management. Not saying all unions are bad, but a large portion are.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - New York Metropolitan Transit Authority no longer on strike! Pg.6 (Page 1 of 4)

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