→ 4 answers so far ↓

• 1 phil // Jun 24, 2009 at 12:05 pm

  There was a transit strike in NY, it was messed up. I supported it at the time cause my own union was in negotiations with the city. The Bay Area doesn’t depend on public transportation as much as NY does so we’d be okay I bet.

  I don’t have much sympathy because Bart employees seem so pampered and overpaid to begin with. I know that police and firefighters and certain other people can’t go on strike by law for public safety reasons and that seems fair but I don’t think that should be extended to public transport workers.

  current votes: 0 vote if this makes you say “real talk”

• 2 Stace // Jun 24, 2009 at 1:07 pm

  My Dad is in a union but by law because he’s a utility worker, can be fired if he strikes or doesn’t cross the line. Technically, not a true public worker but close enough.

  Anyways, it seems bizzare that they can strike for so long without any sort of backlash. I know that by their striking in such a manner the public will put additional strain on the talks because they are also being ‘punished’ for whatever item they’re fighting over. I’m sure the hundreds or thousands that don’t have any other means of transportation love it.

  I have no idea what they are striking about up there, but man it was the pits when the mines or the one time the grocery store workers striked at home. It always seems it’s over something so tiny.

  I also hate it because the one day in Paris we were going to the Louvre a bunch of public workers went on strike they were forced to close.

  current votes: 0 vote if this makes you say “kudos”

• 3 beth // Jun 24, 2009 at 5:07 pm

  How do I feel? It makes me sick. They’ve got it easy, man.

  current votes: 0 vote if this makes you say “[applause]“

• 4 dav // Jun 24, 2009 at 6:36 pm

  I am currently working setting up a giant party for NYC’s mayor Bloomberg that he holds for his staff and family every summer. The party is on Randalls Island, just over the east river from Harlem. It’s a two week set up, for a one day party. A GIANT affair. I am guessing the party is costing upwards of 5-10 million dollars in labor alone. Anyway, I am part of a crew of non union stage hand laborers working in tandem with Local 1 union guys and girls. Though I know they are making at least 15 dollars an hour more than my wage they are expected to do more, follow stricter safety standards, and generally have a much better working condition than I have. In that way I totally respect the idea of the union. I appreciate that respect for laborers.

  current votes: 0 vote if this makes you say “unnggghhhh!”

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