Comments on: Sander predicts no strike as talks with TWU continue

By: Second Ave. Sagas | A New York City Subway Blog » Blog Archive » » MTA, TWU heading to arbitration

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:33:22 +0000

[...] Elliot Sander predicted that the transit authority and the Transport Workers Union would be able to avoid another strike as the TWU contract is set to expire later this month. While the two sides have been negotiating [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:28:52 +0000

The NYPD and FDNY aren’t corporations, and they don’t have to face the reality of a $1 billion+ deficit. Yes, waste is prevalent in those organizations and the unions defend it, but when people are forced to foot the bill for this waste TWICE – in their taxes and in the fares they pay – there is no excuse for it.

I find it troubling how much waste the average MTA customer witnesses just on a daily basis, yet nothing has been done about it and the organization is crying for charity. Whose fault is it: MTA management? The union? Both? Both is the answer, but no matter what the MTA tries to do, the union will never concede defeat while many of the workers it represents suck the system dry.

By: rhywun

rhywun — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:08:13 +0000

So I guess that means no more strikes.

By: Mr. Eric

Mr. Eric — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 03:00:29 +0000

The 40 thousand plus TWU members ARE taxpayers so no they aren’t the enemy!!

The PBA or teachers union are incredibly strong for example.

By: rhywun

rhywun — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 01:10:30 +0000

> the TWU is an incredibly weak union

Public sector unions are “weak” on purpose because they tend to cripple the city every once in a while, and because their natural enemies are taxpayers rather than shareholders.

By: Mr. Eric

Mr. Eric — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 23:22:35 +0000

The same way I respond to the countless cops that sleep in there patrol cars, the firefighters that sleep in the station house, the airline pilots that sleep in there crew quarters.

When the job needs to be done it gets done. With that said there are bad “apples” in every company especially if you have 40,000 employees in TA alone.

The biggest difference is the TWU is an incredibly weak union with horrible public relations while the cops, firefighters, snatation, corrections, and teachers have stronger unions who use the public to help them.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:49:50 +0000

Ok. The “stagnant salaries” phrasing wasn’t the most diplomatic. I don’t think they shouldn’t get paid more but they shouldn’t get a pay increase greater than others.

Just out of curiosity, though, how do you respond to the numerous MTA employees who literally sleep on the job?

By: Mr. Eric

Mr. Eric — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:58:39 +0000

Yeah “stagnant salaries” are fair while every other union has gotten 4% a year increases this year in the current economic climate. Thats a disgusting comment!!!

This union has been doing more with less for years now while being promised to be recognized in ” the next contract”. Plus it’s the only major union that has to pay into there medical. The more you make the more you are forced to pay for the same benefits.