As the bite of the winter wind blows across the faces of New Yorkers this morning on December 20, 2005, it will not be because of a passing subway train or a public bus. No, the chill they feel as they are forced to walk over bridges to get to work is the colossal greed shared in a contract struggle by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Transport Workers Union.
If my opinion on this matter was not already clear, I feel both sides of this contract dispute are consumed by their greed to better themselves and slight the party they work with. Here are the reasons why:
MTA: It is public knowledge that the MTA had a $1 billion surplus this year. So much so, that they decided to give unusual discounts on subway fares around the holidays, and other benefits to their riders. The TWU feel they deserve a sizable portion of that surplus. The MTA disagrees, but should they?
Last month, I received a free 10-Trip Ticket (worth about $80) since I am a monthly ticket purchaser, compliments of the MTA. Sure it’s a nice gesture, but I’m much more concerned about my fares being raised in the future than getting a free extra ticket now. Considering all of the free tickets and discounts they gave out, and you have a nice chunk of change spent.
Obviously the MTA’s priorities are not in the right place. Especially if they knew that the transit workers’ contract was expiring on December 16. It was an oversight on their part to not focus on the potential for a disaster which is now a reality. Honestly, I would gladly give the ticket back, if it meant that it could have helped this strike to be averted.
TWU: Most people would be inclined to side with Local 100 of the TWU in this struggle, simply on account of them being the “little guy” in this battle. But when you look at not only their current situation but what they want for the future, you’ll see that the TWU is just as greedy as the MTA.
The TWU is looking for an 8 percent annual raise over 3 years. Are they kidding? In my book, you only get that much if you made the company money. It’s not like all of the subways and buses have made dramatic on-time improvements that the drivers and operators would warrant such an increase.
To boot, according to a report from MSN.com, “MTA workers earn between $47,000 and $55,000 annually”. Additionally, the last offer that the MTA rejected last night by the TWU included annual raises of 3 percent, 4 percent and 3.5 percent.
There are millions of hard working people all across the country who would love to be making that salary range with those raises, present company included. Hell, lots of people don’t even get a 3 percent raise, let alone 8. It’s not like the TWU is an union of brain surgeons. They’re bus drivers and train operators! A job that last time I checked doesn’t even require a college degree. Sure, there are technicians and the such grouped in there, but it’s still a minority within the mass.
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So now, with the strike in effect this morning, New York City and all of its businesses and commuters have to suffer through this strike only 5 days before Christmas. In my opinion, it seemed like a no-brainer for the two groups to just settle on 5 percent annual raises for 3 years, and a compromised amount for the pension payment (just like the rest of us have to do), and be done with this debacle.
But the MTA and TWU have shown not only their greed to the world, but their failure to be professional and committed to the welfare of the people who really pay both of their salaries: the commuters. They should be ashamed to show their faces.