Comments on: And Here We Go…

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 16:47:14 +0000

I’m not sympathetic to the Transit Union myself. They’re simply taking advantage of a situation where they can squeeze more money out of the till.

This is the what happens (over the course of 100 years) when the public allows their money to be used by politicians “for the common good”. Both the MTA and Transit Union rely 100% on tax money (transit fares excluded, as they wouldn’t exist prior to the creation of public transit system — which, if you follow my logic means you’re paying twice to ride the bus).

Both the MTA and the Transit Union are sucking hard on the public tit consuming all they can until the taxpayer breaks. The great swindle here is that city has spun the situation to have everyone believe they “need” mass transit (aggrivating that by prohibiting cars into the city during rush hour with fewer than four passengers).

Privatize!

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 15:09:58 +0000

As much as I hate the MTA and the bullshit they pull on the public on a daily basis, I have no sympathy for the worker’s union. Aside from the shitty timing, their demands are extremely selfish and unrealistic, and while I can agree that its ridiculous that the MTA wants to cut benefits when they have a billion dollar surplus, that’s doesn’t mean they are entitled to all the crap they are demanding. But the most depressing thing from all of this is how it exposes the ugly truth that many unions are rotten to the core. Again, the fact that they can scoff at performance based raised is further evidence of this.

This has been a pretty hot topic between myself and my roommate who is a teacher. She’s part of a union, one that has helped her and other teachers keep their jobs and benefits, which in the end means that she gets to hold onto the house, so she’s naturally going to be sympathetic towards the MTA worker’s union. And this morning, I saw a rep from the cop state via a paid commercial how their union is supporting the MTA workers, which I find baffling since cops know well enough that they are in no position to just walk away even if they have no contract, and that they are now publicly supporting other public employees who taking the selfish route.

As for it being illegal to strike, you don’t have to tell me how fucking stupid a concept that is. Isn’t that basically first amendment rights being messed with?

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 14:42:48 +0000

How can any NY State or City employee expect to fairly negotiate any matter concerning their jobs if it is made illegal by their employers? When the Taylor Law went into effect in 1967, the State created the Public Employment Relations Board to “promote harmonious and cooperative relationships between government and its employees”. Ha! So let me get this right. It’s illegal to strike so if you have any problems with your job, don’t walk, instead go to another government agency to talk about it. Any possibility of collusion there?

You cannot legislate behaviour. If public employees — or any employees — seek to strike and can coordinate such an effort, so be it. Labor (your work or your ideas) is the individual’s only weapon in the marketplace and shall always have final discretion.

The public is at odds with this issue, rightfully, people just want to get to work. But this is what happens when we allow our money to be taxed and spent for a collective good. Our money just ends up being tossed around between the State, Transit Worker’s Union and the MTA (among other City and State agencies). Politicians spend it they way they see fit for all of us.

Why not privatize mass-transit?