Who's Going to Freeze to Death First.....
...the striking transit workers or the millions of New York City workers freezing their tails off walking over the 59th Street Bridge? With weather forecasts in the teens for tonight, I suspect that New York City commuters are going to seriously run out of patience over the course of the next few days while the transit workers engage in an illegal strike. For those of you who aren't experts on New York public sector labor relations, it is illegal for public sector employees to strike in New York State. The "Taylor Law" as it's known imposes a penalty of two day's pay for each day an employee strikes. Before long, the employees will be working for free. In addition, a judge today imposed a $1,000,000/day fine on the union for each day of the strike.
For those of you who think I might be swayed in favor of management here - you're right. The idea the employees are striking over free health insurance when most of the world doesn't get it for free bothers me. The fact that striking is illegal and they decided to do it anyway bothers me. The fact that employees making $60,000 are on strike resulting in other workers making far less having to walk to work bothers me even more. Let's face it, the only ones not bothered by this strike are those that can afford to cab it into Manhattan or in a lofty enough job to telecommute from home and avoid the hassle altogether. Lastly, having just returned from New Orleans and seeing the devastation first hand..... I really have no sympathy.
For a more thought provoking article on the subject (other than my rant here), the Christian Science Monitor discusses some of the implications of the strike here. For the latest happenings from the union's side, see their blog here.
Well Diane it seems that you didnt read the unions view on the strike it isnt for a FREE health care, just to HAVE health care, and they are going to lose their pensions, would you like to lose yours? I think that those who work for the transportation need to be more respected they obviously have been forgotten and with the strike it has been realized just how much NY need them. I say good luck to the union. Keep fighting.