By the latest news, it looks as though New York City transit workers are going to strike. This is going to bring the city to its knees.
Great. Somebody wake up a judge.
The strike is on as we speak. Mayor Bloomberg said it was completely illegal, and that transit workers striking would be charged two days of pay for every day missed. NYPD was also stopping motorists on inbound bridges to see if cars had at least four riders.
I’m curious:
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Who is the union representing the transit workers? Is the UTU or BLE somehow involved for subway workers?
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I’m surprised anyone can charge a worker in excess of earned pay- “two days pay for one day on strike”. Is this a fine? Seems like a violation of labor law to me…
Erik
The Transport Workers Union, TWU. No, don’t think of those on strike as only subway workers. The transit system is also bus drivers, maintenance personnel, token booth agents, etc.
The transit system is a public entity and two-for-one is meant to be a very clear penalty for a striker to comprehend. My guess is that the way it’ll end is with a heavy fine on the TWU but no individual fines for the strikers.
I just hope this gets cleared up before I have to drive though the city.
The mayor of NYC is walking to work today.He says he will do this for the duration of the strike.