Respect Us

"Governor Pataki should think carefully before he wags his finger at transit workers on television," Toussaint said. "We transit workers are accustomed to being threatened by transit managers. But we do not appreciate being threatened on public television nonetheless, and in front of our children. Even if the governor needs this in order to appear to be tough to the nation for his own political ambitions, it is inappropriate. And to his remarks regarding, 'Don't do it,' we have two words for the governor: 'Respect us.'" Village Voice

Well, you've probably heard about the strike occuring in my city right now. If not, then read up on it. Over 30,000 workers taking a stand for a decent wage, respectable benefits and appropriate holidays...and you wonder why NYers are so gully? It takes determination and courage for the TWU union members to effectively organize for a strike today. MTA workers are choosing a time when visitors are at an all time high, and many workers are beginning to take time off to shop for the holidays. However after working almost 5 months without a contract, and in the face of the $1billion surplus the MTA reported this year, how can workers who average $40,000 a year allow their employers to cut their pension, reduce thier sick days and continue with UNPAID maternity leaves?

I fully support the strike, and I'll be walking today rather than using my money for a yellow cab. Apparently so will Mayor Bloomberg (I guess he can't find 4 people to ride in his limo with him). This morning, our billionaire leader made a statement condeming the strike, and called the workers, "selfish" and "cowardly",

"For their own selfish reasons, the TWU has decided that their demands are more important than the law, the City and the people they serve. This is not only an affront to the concept of public service; it is a cowardly attempt by Roger Toussaint and the TWU to bring the City to its knees to create leverage for their own bargaining position. We cannot give the TWU the satisfaction of causing the havoc they desperately seek to create."

My response to Bloomberg: NYC public workers deserve to be treated with respect by their employers, and if that respect is not given, it must be taken. Bloomberg and Pataki can be flippant about the importance of this strike because their children and grandchildren can blissfully stroll the day away in a penthouse apartment, while benefitting from their relative's secure pensions and trust funds. However the working class understand that we must fight for our offspring's futures, and for many of the picketing workers today, they understand that in order to survive, they must take a stand and highlight their value. This city will slow down, but maybe we'll think about WHY the strike is occurring and work together as NYers to recognize the value of MTA workers. This is a strike long overdue.