Comments | whowouldknow: My post-strike rant

whowouldknow

My post-strike rant

Dec 22, 2005 19:46

I've heard both sides of the issues. The thing that gets to me is all these people who think that they're supposed to support the TWU because it is a union. When a political issue comes up, do you take the time to understand it so that you can make an informed decision? Or do you just pick the side that your political party's on ( Read more... )

Comments 7

karmakazesal December 23 2005, 01:31:59 UTC

I think pay is more than just a pay issue. While the TWU member make more than most city employees, they do so because they are tradesmen and those trades tend to be very well paid ( ... )

whowouldknow December 23 2005, 02:05:37 UTC

As I said before, I'm not saying that they shouldn't be paid more. I don't think they should've gone on strike, which is not the same thing.

Although, do electricians get insurance and pensions? Because if you add in MTA benefits, I think transit workers would still be making more money with the new contract. I suspect that private electricians are paying more towards their insurance, but admittedly I'm not 100% sure about that. And insurance and pensions are still part of a pay-rate issue. If you have your pension but have to pay more towards it, it's the same thing as getting a pay cut. Ditto for health insurance. It would only be something different if the MTA was also talking about changing the nature of their pension.

karmakazesal December 23 2005, 15:16:02 UTC

I don't think they should've gone on strike, which is not the same thing.

An Italian style strike would have made more sense. If the Union refused to do overtime it would effect the MTA far more than the riders. MTA long term plans and scheduling would be really messed up if time tables started to skew,

do electricians get insurance and pensions?
Due to building codes, most are licensed. There is just too much risk in hiring anyone that isn't. So most do get pretty good insurance and pensions. Not as good as the MTA; but pretty close. I can't speak for all trades, but Iron workers, HVAC and Electrical work is all very high paid. Partially because it is very hard work and partially because of the long time it takes to learn the trade. It often combines the mental challenges ( ... )

hobbleskirt December 23 2005, 02:08:01 UTC

So the new deal is low wages, less benefits, less security and no early retirement.

Sounds like the deal with NJ's DYFS workers. Who, as a result, can't handle the caseload, make mistakes, and several kids have died as a result.

Wage/benefit distribution is a huge problem across the board.

nervavels December 23 2005, 11:50:44 UTC

As far as I know, it's not really the union - it's the people running it - and I know my brother was not one who wanted a strike (and he has to pay for it). It's wholly unfair. It makes me so upset that it's the poor and struggling that pay for these idiotic decisions.

Exactly whowouldknow December 23 2005, 18:21:15 UTC

The fact that the union members weren't all that behind the strike is another problem. I'm assuming/hoping that this will mean Toussaint isn't in power for too much longer.

nervavels December 23 2005, 11:53:51 UTC

and I just wanted to add that a full-on strike wasn't necessary - a reduction in the workforce (a 'sickout'?) might have also made the point without the disastrous complications of this particularly inept decision to strike. No one talks about the union members who didn't want to strike, and will have to pay that 2 days' wages for each day missed. So they have lost more than they want to gain.