New York's mayor has suggested the transit strike could cost the city $400 million a day, and other estimates put the figure even higher. The Wall Street Journal's Carl Bialik looks at the numbers. One number not in question is the $1 million dollar a day fine imposed by a judge on the Transit Workers Union for violating state law that prohibits public employees from going on strike.
As on commenter put it, "a pox on both their houses."
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News, Unions
Tags: news, unions
Comments (11)
I think it is time to pull ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Just Me | December 21, 2005 6:43 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think it is time to pull a Ronald Reagan and fire them.
I bet there are some unemployed people in NYC who wouldn't mine working for the transit authority.
And it is times like this, when I am glad I don't live in a major city where the majority of people are dependant on the government to get them to and from work.
1. Posted by Just Me | December 21, 2005 6:43 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 06:43
2. Posted by Charlie on the PA Turnpike | December 21, 2005 7:04 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I agree with Just Me, voting for massive firings. Let them reapply for their jobs.
Regarding the fines: do these ever really get paid, or are they washed by the negotiations to 'end' the strike? I am curious because many unions are so fined, to the point they'd be bankrupt. But you never hear of one ever going under.
2. Posted by Charlie on the PA Turnpike | December 21, 2005 7:04 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 07:04
3. Posted by Palmateer | December 21, 2005 8:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Every so often, New Yorkers need to be reminded that they have generally been sucking up to the unions too much.
3. Posted by Palmateer | December 21, 2005 8:06 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 08:06
4. Posted by meep | December 21, 2005 8:26 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Charlie: yes, they get paid. That happened after the 1980 strike, and the negotiated raise was swallowed up in the fines for over a year, and I believe union dues were garnished to cover the fines imposed on the union itself.
From what I've heard, the garnished income for fines is taxable income. So even if there was a negotiated "bonus" that covered the fines, they'd have to pay income taxes on that bonus.
So no, there's no getting around those fines.
4. Posted by meep | December 21, 2005 8:26 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 08:26
5. Posted by epador | December 21, 2005 9:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Gee, 9/11 had the subways shut down for a while too. What's the difference between a foreign and a domestic terrorist?
5. Posted by epador | December 21, 2005 9:23 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 09:23
6. Posted by McGehee | December 21, 2005 10:08 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Epador, the difference is, you can wiretap a union boss without the Dems getting but so upset.
6. Posted by McGehee | December 21, 2005 10:08 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 10:08
7. Posted by Master Shake | December 21, 2005 10:10 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
There is no difference - the Dems support them both.
7. Posted by Master Shake | December 21, 2005 10:10 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 10:10
8. Posted by billbob234 | December 21, 2005 12:50 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
the strike is great .... at getting all the fat to walk.. mean losing weight....i hope this thing goes for two weeks
8. Posted by billbob234 | December 21, 2005 12:50 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 12:50
9. Posted by Peter F. | December 21, 2005 2:11 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
People Benefitting From The Strike:
1.) The New York Times. It moves their embarrassing "report" of domestic spying story off the front pages. Seems fair, as that story moved the more important Iraqi elections story off the front page.
2.) Cabbies. Duh.
3.) Moleskin salespeople. Welcome to blister hell, folks.
4.) "Street Meat" vendors. Hey, you work up a hunger walking all that way, and even warm hog anus tastes good when it's 20ºF.
5.) Bar owners. Most popular phrase: "Screw this commute, I'm going to the bar and wait this out..."
9. Posted by Peter F. | December 21, 2005 2:11 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 14:11
10. Posted by Rob | December 21, 2005 6:08 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
mmmm...."warm hog anus".... (drool)
10. Posted by Rob | December 21, 2005 6:08 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 21, 2005 18:08
11. Posted by Falze | December 22, 2005 11:18 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Things seem to be looking up, though. I think the story in today's paper had some sort of threat from the union towards the judge that's hauling the union officials' butts into court. That'll surely help them out a lot.
11. Posted by Falze | December 22, 2005 11:18 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 22, 2005 11:18