National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT): New York - Stop Worrying and Learn to Love the Transit Strike Fear

Gotham Gazette: December 14, 2005
Posted by Jen Chung

With the countdown to an illegal, crippling, city-wide transport strike less than a day away New Yorkers give their views on one of the city's most popular blogs.

There's a little more than a day and half for the MTA and the Transit Workers Union to negotiate a contract that will prevent millions of New Yorkers from complete and utter chaos on Fridays should a strike happen, so Gothamist will think positive and hope that once again, the two vastly different agencies will be able to agree on something that's good for all of us. That said, we're also reveling in the insanity that the negotiations are inspiring. Here are some stories we've been obssessing over:

- With the judge putting an injunction on a strike, the city has asked that striking workers be fined $25,000 each, with the union getting a $1 million fine - and then the strikes would be doubled each day after there. This is just the sort of thing that the union will love, especially if Mayor Bloomberg has to step in to negotiate the deal in the waning hours.

- Cabbies may sit out on Friday - and possibly more days - if there is a strike. Oh, yes. The director of the Taxi Worker Alliance told Newsday, "First of all, why should we scab for the city? Secondly, it's going to be economically disastrous and highly stressful." Well, no kidding, it's going to be stressful! Hello, chaos!

- If you haven't felt it before, TWU leader Roger Touissant hates Mayor Bloomberg.

- Strike panic is good for some business: More people are buying folding bicycles, scooters and skates. And Transportation Alternatives has great tips on biking to the city, whether there's a strike or not.

- Some schools wants the Department of Education to close schools if there's a strike; it sort of makes sense, because what if teachers can't even get to their schools? If only the schools could tell our bosses to do the same!

- Money isn't the only thing transit workers are concerned about - terror is another.

- ABC 7 has a map of what streets will be closed if there's a strike.

Gothamist admits that we have a bad case of strike-o-phobia, but that's because this year's negotiations seem that much worse than the ones in 2002. Are we crazy? And all our posts on the maybe transit strike.

Comments

"man, it's waay too cold to bike to work. at least it's supposed to be warmer on friday." - Posted by: tien | December 14, 2005 10:27 AM

"Do you think Bloomberg will turn around and arrest all the cyclists?" - Posted by: cyclist | December 14, 2005 10:35 AM

"Speaking from my own very narrow viewpoint, I hope there's a strike. Assuming there are a lot more people biking to work (in this cold, that's a big assumption), there will be additional pressure for office buildings to start allowing people to bring their bikes into their workplaces.

It's incredible to me that so many buildings provide _no_ accomodation for bike riders. I know my office would allow me to have a bike in the office, but the building management doesn't allow anyone to roll their bike in past the threshold.",/i> - Posted by: A_B | December 14, 2005 10:37 AM

"This is going to be so cool." - Posted by: Boots | December 14, 2005 11:07 AM

"WTF, in just about every major metropolitan area motorcycles would be lumped... but not in nyc...

it's amazing to see how F'd-up DOT is on supporting alternative modes of transportation (ie motor-bikes, scooters and pedal-bikes)

ps - i support the union 100% percent! i hope the taxi union doesn't scab..." - Posted by: nonecknoel | December 14, 2005 11:15 AM

"Okay, the bike idea is completely untenable for so many people who work in this city. Yes, it seems charming if you have 20 blocks to ride, but not if you live at all far from your office. I live about 7 miles from midtown and there is no way in hell I'm braving the cold, traffic, and insane drivers/cyclists in a skirt, stockings, and heels." - Posted by: Samantha T | December 14, 2005 11:32 AM

"Is that the Prospect Park station on the F?

If so, I will brim with pride..." - Posted by: Amy | December 14, 2005 11:35 AM

"Love the way that people in Upper Manhattan are going to have a hell of a time getting to jobs in, say, Queens or Brooklyn. The most northerly carpool point in Manhattan is 145th St.? How the blazes are we supposed to get there from Dyckman?

I'm on vacation all next week, so if there is a strike I'll have some time to plan my commute, but my wife isn't and her job in LIC refuses to acknowledge that nobody will be able to get there without subways or buses." - Posted by: I_M_Noman | December 14, 2005 12:02 PM

"hey amy, it is prospect park." - Posted by: tien | December 14, 2005 12:18 PM

"A_B, you are dreaming. Why would businesses that till now haven't bothered to accomodate for bikes undertake a huge policy change, which probably costs them $$$, all because of a transient problem?" - Posted by: tuesday | December 14, 2005 12:26 PM

"I have to side with the MTA on this. Why should they have to pay all the extra money for a workers pension and health care? Doesn't that seem like something the union should take care of? I mean what do you get out of your union dues? Why shouldn't the union take on the pensions and health care of its workers? I bet the MTA would be happy to give a 10%+ raise to all it's workers if the unions would take on pensions and health care. Maybe it is time that the unions adapted to the real problems a worker faces. The problem is with health care companies and the government, not the MTA. I know the union leaders would never agree to this because they don't want the responsibility, but I would think that the workers interests would be better served. I would rather see a union picket a health care company to lower its rates than shut down public transportation in NYC." - Posted by: GaryK | December 14, 2005 12:37 PM

"From the "biking tips" article:

Pedestrians always have the right of way, so be respectful of their vulnerability.

Umm... no, they don't. If a pedestrian is jaywalking against the light, they lose their right of way.

It's not too cold to bike out -- heck, I've been out cycling to work this week. However, it's supposed to rain/sleet on Friday -- and THAT is where I draw the line." - Posted by: Gwin | December 14, 2005 12:38 PM

"Hey Gwin, Check out waterproof socks/gloves at sealskinz.com, if you ever feel like braving the rain (sleet...well, that's more of a bicycle sliding across the pavement issue...)...They work really well. Also good in snow/cold..." - Posted by: Eli | December 14, 2005 12:52 PM

"I was thinking of riding my bike to work if there's a strike, but not in the rain. I'll call in sick before I do that. I wonder if the weather report will make the union more inclined to strike. Think of how the subways and buses are more crowded on a normal rainy day because of all those people who usually walk or bike taking mass transit. Then factor in a transit strike? That's more of a mess than I care to think about." - Posted by: Phil | December 14, 2005 12:57 PM

"Regardless of traffic lights, pedestrians do always have the right of way in the sense that they are always considered the victim if they are hit, with the hitter at fault. Not saying I agree..." - Posted by: z | December 14, 2005 01:04 PM

"Okay, the bike idea is completely untenable for so many people who work in this city. Yes, it seems charming if you have 20 blocks to ride, but not if you live at all far from your office.

20 blocks is walking distance. I live about 5-6 miles from my office and bike back to work about 3 times a week. In this weather you need two pairs of gloves, a face wrap, hat and ear muffs along with glasses since your eyes will start to freeze if you have to cross the East River.

Bike riding in this kind of weather is what makes riding a bike fun. Unfortunately, if there's a strike, there will be more crappy bikers who don't observe bike laws." - Posted by: dude | December 14, 2005 01:42 PM

"Hey guys, I'm flying into JFK on Friday afternoon, and this strike is making me nervous. You think I'll have any trouble getting a cab at the airport, since they'll be the only form of transportation? What's the average rate for a taxi from JFK to the east village? and from JFK to the upper east side? What am I gonna do in Manhattan for 10 days without the subway to get around?! Thanks in advance for any advice." - Posted by: Bradd | December 14, 2005 01:43 PM

"I hope Australia doesn't come in and take over NYC public transit like the did in Chicago.... 1: if the union negotiates more money and better contract then clearly unions work, like them or not. 2: New York City has record breaking visitors this holiday season - you can't get hotel rooms, so, maybe the city has money to give from the tax pool beyond the already approved $11 billion 5 year MTA capital program. 3: Economically, compared to other US countries and cities, NYC subways and taxis are pretty cheap. Do we not want to keep it that way? 4: I bet the Mayor won't want the city to shut down in the middle of holiday shopping and tourisim season - not letting high-spending Eurpoeans visit our stores will certainly not help boost the dollar, and will leave a bad taste in the mouths of people that will return home - don't want to send a bad marketing message globally about NYC do we? So the question becomes: How do we get workers what they want and keep fares low? Maybe we should revisit the 5 year capital program and see where the money is going, but that's a dangerous thread to pull on.... Elliot Spitzer, where are you?" - Posted by: happy_holidays | December 14, 2005 02:02 PM

"i want a strike for my own selfish reasons- no school. Though DOE said schools would be delayed for two hours, there's no way I'm going to walk through half of Queens in those 2 hours to get to school.

I have to agree with the MTA and GaryK's comment. The union is a pretty selfish organization. THe pay scale is more than fair and the benefits should be undertaken by the union. I've paid union wages before and when I join a union, i expect benefits, not just the gift of loud arbitrators on my behalf.

However, the injunction is unfair. The TWU has a right to strike and if anything should be enforced its the simple Taylor Law rule of losing 2 days pay per strike day (and i even think that's unfair). $25,000 fine for every striking worker is highly unnecessary and infringes on their rights." - Posted by: erika | December 14, 2005 02:05 PM

"Z: It doesn't seem fair that a cyclist would be at fault if a pedestrian steps in front of him/her without even looking and gets hit, but I'm sure you are right nonetheless... sigh...

Eli: thanks for the info!

dude: I just got this great all-sport helmet that has lil' ear flaps on it. That also really helps to keep your head warm on those long rides.

Bradd: I feel for ya, dude. It's probably going to be horrible at JFK... but at least taxis are allowed to pick up multiple passengers at one time." - Posted by: Gwin | December 14, 2005 02:09 PM

"If you ever wanted to start your own livery bus company, this may be the time. Although the city might get on your case for stopping to pick up people at bus stops. Where's Fung Wah when you need them?

Bradd,
JFK taxi fares are here. Highway robbery, I tell ya. Heck, it's back alley robbery, too." - Posted by: Brightliner | December 14, 2005 03:00 PM

"So the question becomes: How do we get workers what they want and keep fares low?" - you don't. (to be fair, this answer also works for "how can we get the MTA to keep fares low?")" - Posted by: dhex | December 14, 2005 03:03 PM

"$25,000 fine for every striking worker is highly unnecessary and infringes on their rights. Their rights to do something against the law? Nope, sorry, I don't buy it. Deciding to strike is tough, and I would respect their decision, but part of what makes it hard is accepting the consequences." - Posted by: MissPinkKate | December 14, 2005 03:11 PM

"Bradd- The chances of a strike are probably actually very low, so I wouldn't get too stressed out. If there is a strike, well, you'll enjoy a very unique visit to the city..." - Posted by: mrf | December 14, 2005 03:16 PM

"Bradd- Take AirTrain up to Jamaica, catch LIRR into Penn Station, then hope you get lucky and catch a cab in city. You will have no chance of getting into Manhattan otherwise." - Posted by: Jim | December 14, 2005 03:55 PM

"Does anyone else think the TWU is out of their bloody minds? The starting pay for a transit worker is $47,000 a year! That's a little more than what I make after four years at a major university and a disgusting amount of tuition debt, and these workers are complaining about their pay? They should feel lucky to be able to get a job with no college education that pays them that kind of money, plus benefits, plus pension! And trust me I realize that $47k doesn't carry you too far here, and I'm single, so I can feel their pain of having to provide for a family, but they are the ones choosing to live here-the South is three times as cheap for a family to live. We need a union for starving twenty-somethings that naively majored in graphic design, marketing, art history, etc and then even more naively moved to New York." - Posted by: michael t | December 14, 2005 04:04 PM

"I have been thinking the same exact thing as Michael T. I'm currently pursuing my Masters and, when finished, I'm looking at $38,000 starting salary with the City of New York. Why should someone with no college education make such a significantly higher salary than someone who put themselves through six years of higher education? Not to demean anyone's job, but driving a bus does not require such a high level of skill...." - Posted by: Nicole | December 14, 2005 04:57 PM

"I am really not for or against strike and this is a thought which came up... all strike that affects public(whether its healthcare, transportation, etc.,) should only be allowed one first day of the week which is Sunday but not on the week which has holidays, in this way public is not affected to that extent and people still have their rights to strike.
What is strike, its an expression to show that there are issues. Strike affects economy of people and the nation and sometimes life.
PLEASE STRIKE IT OUT BEFORE YOU STRIKE." - Posted by: Sathish | December 14, 2005 05:40 PM

"Nicole and michael t, you children are not supposed to be making 47K right out of college. You have to pay your dues. You are not entitled to more just because you have a fancy degree. Welcome to real life.

"Entry-level workers are rarely useful in almost every professional field. These kids tend to be hot-headed and cause trouble for their superiors. Meetings get delayed and clients get bad impressions because of the mistakes and attitude of snot-nosed entry-level college brats. THIS IS WHY YOU GET PAID LESS. It has nothing to do with the transit union.

"College is becoming more and more irrelevant as a factor for how much you get paid. Get used to it." - Posted by: the shark | December 14, 2005 05:44 PM

"michael t, most MTA workers were born and raised in New York. What makes you more entitled to live here than them? You have some nerve telling native New Yorkers to move out of NYC just because your Midwestern artsy-fartsy design-school ass wants a cushy job making pretty layouts. I'm glad the MTA workers make more than you." - Posted by: Bickle | December 14, 2005 05:51 PM

THIS IS WHY YOU GET PAID LESS. It has nothing to do with the transit union."

you don't really believe this, do you? you really think this kind of labor without a union gets this kind of pay? - "College is becoming more and more irrelevant as a factor for how much you get paid. Get used to it." - hardly. go compare income surveys tagged between education brackets and get back to us." - Posted by: dhex | December 14, 2005 10:39 PM

"Funny observation, the MTA "Holiday Bonus" ads seem to run right before or right after the news segment about the transit stike talks." - Posted by: Toby | December 14, 2005 10:44 PM

"I hope the strike happens. It will be exciting to see the chaos." - Posted by: Fanofwalking | December 15, 2005 12:04 AM

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