Home Asides TWU protests set to give MTA ‘a taste of hell’

TWU protests set to give MTA ‘a taste of hell’

by Benjamin Kabak

As the MTA continues its push to appeal the binding arbitration decision that guarantees TWU Local 100 workers an 11 percent raise spread over three years, TWU organizers are fighting back. After a picket really last week in front of MTA Headquarters, the labor union is planning two more days of protests. The union members will rally from 4:30 p.m to 7 p.m. today in front of MTA HQ at 44th St. and Madison Ave. More ominous though is the transit-wide protest set for Oct. 14. It is being billed on the TWU’s website as the first day of outrage, and the TWU promises to give the MTA (and perhaps its riders) “a taste of hell.” I do believe a labor battle is brewing, and the city’s transit systems will serve as Ground Zero for the fight. [Daily News]

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18 comments

rhywun September 29, 2009 - 12:26 pm

I think the last strike is still fresh in riders’ minds. Pulling another so soon might not garner the sympathy they’re expecting (and usually receive).

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herenthere September 29, 2009 - 12:50 pm

They’re not only protesting against the MTA, radio ads also blame Bloomberg for “siding with the MTA”. scapegoat.

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Tony September 29, 2009 - 2:25 pm

It’s a joke that the TWU is blaming Bloomberg and NOT Paterson who can actually stop this ridiculous unwinnable appeal with oe phone call.

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Boris September 29, 2009 - 3:46 pm

Is there a counter-protest or do we let the special interests win, as usual? Seems like a good opportunity to show some pro-straphanger slogans- not to directly offend the TWU, but at least to embarrass their abettors in the state legislature. Guaranteed media coverage.

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Anon September 29, 2009 - 7:05 pm

s-l-o-w m-o

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Scott E September 29, 2009 - 9:22 pm

I’m not too well versed in my unions. TWU is only New York City Transit (subways and city buses), not LIRR, MNR, LI Bus, right? I’m surprised they’re not rallying in front of 2 Broadway. But (just to clarify) there’s no planned stop in service, correct?

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Alon Levy September 29, 2009 - 9:41 pm

The LIRR and MNRR are organized by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which is a subsidiary of the Teamsters and is unaffiliated with the TWU. The LI Bus I’m not sure about.

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Tony September 30, 2009 - 8:51 am

The LIRR and MNR have many unions the BLE is just for the engineers. The various departments are represented by different unions.

The TA has TWU local 100, DC 37, and SSSA.

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PB September 29, 2009 - 9:32 pm

I had 4 different drivers giving me 4 different bull excuses as to why they pulled over during the route to go shopping today. Everyday I see drivers pull in early and leave late from their first stops. I see drivers not doing what they’re suppose to do, dispatchers protecting them, I’m tired of it. I know a lot of good drivers who agree with me that protesting is a dumb idea and have actually said that the blame should be geared towards the union and not the MTA because for years the Union has ignored everything and anything. They also welcome a raise but say they can do without it.

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mta bus September 30, 2009 - 12:42 pm

what are drivers suppose to do. are they not allowed to use the restroom, stretch thier legs. drivers and dispatchers get yelled at most of the day by customers. at your work place do you get yelled,spit at, assaulted, or even kill like the driver in bklyn a year ago. do you work for the same wage year after year. we move 100’s of thousands of customers a day mostly without problems but sometimes there are problems.

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Alon Levy September 30, 2009 - 5:54 pm

The schedule is padded by 10 minutes at the terminals to allow drivers to use the bathroom.

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mta bus October 3, 2009 - 9:05 am

not all schedules are padded “10 minutes” and what happens when there traffic. customers want the bus to show as soon as they step into a bus stop.

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Benjamin Kabak October 4, 2009 - 11:04 am

What customers want and what the schedule calls for are two separate issues. Per the union contract, every bus run comes with a 10 minute break at the end. If you’re not getting it, you should talk to your union rep and figure out why.

In D.C., WMATA faces similar fiscal woes :: Second Ave. Sagas | A New York City Subway Blog September 30, 2009 - 12:58 am

[…] and then, we leave New York for glimpses of life in other transit systems. While TWU members are protesting MTA’s current labor policies, other public transit systems are running into their own labor-induced fiscal problems. […]

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Anon September 30, 2009 - 9:40 pm

Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
http://www.nyfiscalwatch.com/?p=1960

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Alon Levy October 1, 2009 - 3:41 am

Manhattan Institute for Policy Research Racist Lies and Stereotypes

Corrected.

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Alon Levy October 1, 2009 - 3:42 am

Is there any way to limit the strike tag to the two words I intended to put it on?

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Benjamin Kabak October 1, 2009 - 8:48 am

Yup. I fixed it for you.

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