TWU picked a bad spot
My phone was jumping off the hook today as family members in New York City called me to vent about the NYC transit workers’ (TWU) strike. Two uncles, four aunts, and ten cousins all called me today. Being the type of guy I am, I was very entertained by my family. They are so animated and funny. But I felt for them. I’ve been to NYC numerous times and mass transportation is the transportation. Wish we had similar here in the Detroit Metro area but that’s an entirely different issue.
Donkey Stomp basically sums up how I’m starting to feel about the strike:
$55,000 a year to drive a bus along with an 8% increase each year? Are you kidding? Does the NYPD see that much money? How about the fire department? Teachers? Does anyone actually feel sorry for these TWU members?
These people have ignored the law and have disrespected and hurt those who work hourly, can’t get to work, and need the money to live. What about the people who need their prescriptions filled and can’t get to their doctor? This is a selfish and unnecessary move made by a typical union.
President Bush should take Reagan’s lead when dealing with this situation. He should fire them all just like Reagan fired the air-traffic controllers in 1981.
It was hard for me at first to feel that way about the TWU. I’m a union baby. Both of my parents belong to unions (retired, UAW). I’ve seen them on-strike before yet they always were very disappointed when they had to. So when my mother called me today and told me the following:
Those NYC transit workers have a huge responsibility. Your father and I proudly made cars and trucks only. Those transit folks have to move life everyday.
It became much easier for me to have negative feelings towards the TWU. I want all workers to get a fair shake. I don’t think anyone is against that. But sometimes your job is bigger than pensions and raises. Sometimes you have to keep on truckin’ along and pick your spots. This is a bad spot for the TWU. One that could backfire big time on them.
And that would just suck…
[zing! to Donkey Stomp]
What would you call it if every gas station in NYC got together and decided to triple their price?
Why is it ok for people selling a required service to do the same?
I f you don’t stand for something ,then you will stand for anything,that is what’s happening to this generation,they just take what they given ,but if the say what they worth,they will get more and also respect
Tony: It’s not OK. But I have to be honest, I need to do more research into the oil industry to see the 411. But on principal alone, it’s not OK.
lisa: I’m all for standing for something. But not all somethings are created equal. Personally, if the TWU held their strike in the summer when it’s warm, I would feel better about it. But what they want doesn’t outweigh what they do. That’s why I feel they chose the wrong time. But hey, maybe they did it now for more impact. And I can’t argue that.
Interesting thing, T-Steel, what they are doing is illegal. The fine for violating the Taylor law is two days pay for each day off work.
There are legal ways to make your point. Maybe $55,000/yr is all the market will bear for driving a bus. And their timing (probably for the greatest impact) has eroded whatever sympathy New Yorkers might have had for them.