NY transit strike

[fansince61]

This strike will get out of control fast if something isn't done.  What do our NY posters (Dio, et al.) think and whats it like in there???

[Diomedes]

I worked from home today.  I'll probably do the same tomorrow and thursday.  Starting Friday, I'm off until next year.  So it doesn't hit me very hard.

What do I think of the strike?  I think it sucks.  People would rather work, and be able to get to work.  But as you might guess, I'm pro labor.  3% raises each year is a lousy offer, and the MTA is acting like it's great.  Cost of living increase last year was 4.1%, I believe.  I dont' know abotu you, but I wouldn't sign any contract that ties me into raises for three years that are already lower than the the cost of living increases.  Moreover, the only reason the Unions original demand (8%) looks ridiculous is by comparison to raises in other sectors, which are themselves depressed.  It's a zesty deal being offered by the government for people who serve the city in no less an important capacity than fireman, cops or teachers.  These people must be supported and well paid, or else the city suffers.  They are the backbone, and if that backbone isn't making enough to live decent middle class lives, and they're made to work to be 62 to retire, the city will suffer.  You don't make cops work until they're 62.  You can't demand it of subway workers, who deal with shtein all day to serve the city.  I support the strike and the unions.

Well, you asked.

[Mad-Lad]

If the CTA here in Chicago went on strike, i don't know what i'd do since i don't own a car or jetpack.

[MURP]

Philly survived the strike a couple months ago.  yeah, I know it's not NY. 

[fansince61]

Thx for perspective Dio

[Butchers Bill]

I work in Jersey City and most of my co-workers live in NYC.  It does suck, but Dio is right.  The MTA was/is trying to farg the workers.  The problem is, as with all service workers in NYC, its tough to pay them a middle class wage because middle class in NY is double that of almost anywhere else in the US (California is up there too).

[Wingspan]

the pay increases in philly have resulted in less service (cut buses and trains) and higher rates.

[DutchBird]

If the CTA here in Chicago went on strike, i don't know what i'd do since i don't own a car or jetpack.

Buy and use a bicycle?  Do not forget to buy a rain suit as well if you do.

[Philly_Crew]

I worked from home today.  I'll probably do the same tomorrow and thursday.  Starting Friday, I'm off until next year.  So it doesn't hit me very hard.

What do I think of the strike?  I think it sucks.  People would rather work, and be able to get to work.  But as you might guess, I'm pro labor.  3% raises each year is a lousy offer, and the MTA is acting like it's great.  Cost of living increase last year was 4.1%, I believe.  I dont' know abotu you, but I wouldn't sign any contract that ties me into raises for three years that are already lower than the the cost of living increases.  Moreover, the only reason the Unions original demand (8%) looks ridiculous is by comparison to raises in other sectors, which are themselves depressed.  It's a zesty deal being offered by the government for people who serve the city in no less an important capacity than fireman, cops or teachers.  These people must be supported and well paid, or else the city suffers.  They are the backbone, and if that backbone isn't making enough to live decent middle class lives, and they're made to work to be 62 to retire, the city will suffer.  You don't make cops work until they're 62.  You can't demand it of subway workers, who deal with shtein all day to serve the city.  I support the strike and the unions.

Well, you asked.

I'm getting a 3.5% raise next year and last year got a 3% raise.  The year before was 0% with only a bonus.  Tell me again why a subway operator deserves 8%? 

From NY Times: "The union originally called for 8 percent annual raises, but late in the day it indicated that it would accept smaller increases if the authority agreed to decrease disciplinary actions against employees by 25 percent. The union did not say how much it was willing to trim its demand....Going into yesterday, the authority had offered two raises of 3 percent in a 27-month contract. On pensions, the authority wants to raise the retirement age for newly hired employees to 62 after 30 years of service, while the union wants to lower it to age 50 after 20 years of service. At present, transit workers can retire at age 55 after 25 years of work, with a pension equal to half their annual pay; the average is $55,000, including overtime."

Yeah, cry me a river, Nancy.

[Diomedes]

I'm getting a 3.5% raise next year and last year got a 3% raise.  The year before was 0% with only a bonus.  Tell me again why a subway operator deserves 8%? 

From NY Times: "The union originally called for 8 percent annual raises, but late in the day it indicated that it would accept smaller increases if the authority agreed to decrease disciplinary actions against employees by 25 percent. The union did not say how much it was willing to trim its demand....Going into yesterday, the authority had offered two raises of 3 percent in a 27-month contract. On pensions, the authority wants to raise the retirement age for newly hired employees to 62 after 30 years of service, while the union wants to lower it to age 50 after 20 years of service. At present, transit workers can retire at age 55 after 25 years of work, with a pension equal to half their annual pay; the average is $55,000, including overtime."

Yeah, cry me a river, Nancy.

The fact that you are getting zesty raises doesn't require that they get zesty raises, too.  Maybe you should be pissed at yourself for accepting such lousy pay, rather than at the TWU.

[MadMarchHare]

And while I have gotten only 3.5% raises the last 2 years, I have significant vertical ability.  And a one step promotion will increase my salary on the range of 10%.

These guys will never see a promotion, or a substantial increase in pay along those lines.

[Wingspan]

pay raises should be based on job performance, not contractually predetermined.

ever try and ask a question to someone taking subway tokens? yeah, these miserable people deserve 8% a year.

if you agree with their fight for more money, and when they get the 8% a year, there should be no complaining when the transit rates go up on a semi-annual basis.

[T_Section224]

and how many years did you sacrifice in school to put yourself in that position MMH?

[MURP]

ever try and ask a question to someone taking subway tokens? yeah, these miserable people deserve 8% a year.

   the philly subway token people are pure evil. 

[mussa]

ever try and ask a question to someone taking subway tokens? yeah, these miserable people deserve 8% a year.

   the philly subway token people are pure evil. 

fargin hate them.  i was an independant contractor when i lived in philly and id ask for receipts when i'd buy tokens for the week.  id always get a shtein ass attitude from one of those iceholes.