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yet another Microsoft blogger

# Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Madison Ave during Transit Strike

This is a pretty eerie picture. Madison Avenue w/o any cars. It was closed yesterday, along with 5th ave, for emergency vehicles.

According to the Transit Union Head, at this point the main "sticking point" are the pension issues. Just to recap:

  • MTA wants employees to retire at 62 with full pension and wants new employees to contribute 6% of  their salary toward the pension (currently they contribute 2%).
  • Union wants to maintain retirement with full pension at 55 and does not want a change in contribution.

I'm sorry, but I can't have any sympathy for the strikers. Retire at 55 with full pension? Meanwhile they say this is an issue about respect? I don't believe that most Americans are so lucky to retire at 55.

I'm lucky I'm on vacation in NYC right now and not working, cause getting around is a pain. Given the way things are going, I think this strike will last a few days or more. Roger Toussaint is starting personal attacks on the Mayor. The press isn't really having any of it. I suspect he will see the inside of a jail cell or bankrupt his union before the strike is over.

 

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 2:19:13 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Merry Christmas Lora and Omar! We will be joining you in the great state of NY tomorrow and are now REALLY glad we decided on a car service over public transportation to get us up state. Have a safe holidays and we will see you in the new year! Hugs - Paula & Reeves
Paula
Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:05:53 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
I hope they don't jail him, that'll just make him a martyr. They should make him suffer the commute he has forced on the innocent people he is using as pawns.
Mike
Wednesday, December 21, 2005 8:50:47 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
I still can't rap my head around the idea that someone with a job that doesn't require a college education, or one that doesn't involve great risk or sacrifice (like a police officer) deserves $55,000 a year, full benefits and a pension at 55. Omar, we have to organize an anti-strike rally :-)
Thursday, December 22, 2005 2:47:08 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)
Its possible, that this act, coupled with the recent grocery store strikes, and perhaps others in the future, could spell the end of unions, or a sever loss of their power.


Thanks,
Shawn
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