Defiant union threatens to halt New York

The Daily Telegraph ^ | December 16, 2002 | Marcus Warren

[MadIvan]

New Yorkers were last night preparing to face an underground and bus strike that would paralyse America's largest city.

Public transport workers and their union, threatened by huge fines if they carry out plans for a stoppage, appeared in little mood for compromise in round-the-clock talks with management.

Fearing chaos, Christmas shoppers stormed the shops over the weekend, snapping up presents for the holidays before this morning's scheduled start for industrial action - the first in two decades.

The stoppage could be cripplingly expensive for striking staff. Under state law, public sector workers who take industrial action are fined two days' wages for every day spent on strike.

New York's billionaire mayor, Michael Bloomberg, has threatened to fine each worker an extra £22,500 for each day off the job, plus a daily fine of £645,000 on the union.

Public sympathy for the union, which is demanding a six per cent pay rise despite the city's financial problems, is minimal. One newspaper has denounced its president, Roger Toussaint, as "the Grinch who'd steal NY Christmas".

George Pataki, the governor of New York State, called the strike "a horrendous act of disloyalty to the people of New York".

Traffic, congested at the best of times, is expected to grind to a halt if the strike goes ahead. Mr Bloomberg has encouraged New Yorkers to defy the strikers and has bought a £350 mountain bike, intending to pedal to City Hall.

New Yorkers plan to share cars, take ferries, cycle, skate or walk to work but the network of bridges and tunnels which connect the city will be strained to the limit.

[MadIvan]

I'm heading to New York shortly for Christmas; I thought I was going to be leaving Underground strikes and whatnot behind me!

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[Poohbah]

The last time this happened, Ed Koch damn near killed the union. If Giuliani were still in office, he'd have even more fun.

I dunno about Bloomberg, though...

[lexington minuteman 1775]

this could be entitled :what happens when democrats are in charge.

[Oschisms]

Filled up my bicycle tires tonight bump.

[The Mayor]

New Yorkers plan to share cars, take ferries, cycle, skate or walk to work but the network of bridges and tunnels which connect the city will be strained to the limit.

and renting hotel and motel rooms....

I heard on a NY radio station that all the Hotel rooms are booked as Corporate Elites worry about how workers will get in.

Bloomberg/democrats is there a difference? Boortz said a few days ago that Bloomberg will go down as the worst Mayor in NY history..

[OldFriend]

So the union threatens to strike and it's the Mayor's fault. I just love the critical thinking skills you exhibit.

[jimbo123]

David Dinkins was the worst in history. But Bloomberg is on track for 2nd worst.

[per loin]

Notice to New York City Muggers: The guy on the bicycle is a billionaire.

[areafiftyone]

I am hoping it will be over by the time you come. The camera crews are all stationed outside Grand Central since Thursday (the Hyatt where they are meeting is next door to Grand Central so it is a mad house with the tv crews). I have been listening to the updates on the news radios all day and it doesn't look good.

[The Mayor]

So the union threatens to strike and it's the Mayor's fault.

Yes as a matter of fact I do think it's the Mayors fault just as it is all of the politicians faults everytime there is a threatened strike from these 'Public Service Unions'

Who do you think is allowed to destroy the economy of New York?

Unions!

Who allows them?

The politicians ie; the mayors,governors, supervisors, legislators, assemblymen, senators and county executives.

Whom do you blame it on?

For all to long the useless politicans have allowed unions to overrun the cities and towns, driving up taxes and costing us millions upon millions each and every year.

I once told Erie County Executive Joel Giambra that "the day you told us that you couldn't lay off a county worker due to union protections is the day that you admit that the government is controlled by the unions, and that is Unconstitutional and against the Law".

I just love the critical thinking skills you exhibit.

Me too, thanks

[The Mayor]

I think he just may pass Dinkins, he is on his way...

[Vince Ferrer]

Many private schools, churches, and other groups have their own buses. They could make a mint running the regular bus routes, picking up the regular passengers the unions refuse to service. Of course, its illegal to have private bus companies, but Bloomburg could do one tiny thing right in his administration and scrap that law.

[jimbo123]

In the Dinkins years, there were nearly 8 murders per day, now there are less than 2 per day. The murder rate will never reach the Dinkins levels under Bloomberg, but the quality of life in the city is plummeting in most other aspects.

[alisasny]

Roger Toussaint is going to be buried under Giant Stadium by the time you get to town ...really the nerve of this guy is appalling even to those in unions!!!! Prior to 9/11 he could have gotten away with a lot of his rhetoric but today is a new day. Will be interesting to see if they do strike tonight and if they do my husband is staying home tomorrow which is nice for me!

[alisasny]

Last I read will will be under 600 this year...that is way under 2 per day for statistical perception.

[alisasny]

Better get some chains on those bike tires, chance of snow tomorrow : )!!

[Clemenza]

Remember, Governor Patakifeller effectively controls the MTA. Here's hoping that he shows some backbone and breaks these Quillite (as in Mike Quill) Socialists.

[aristeides]

I don't remember the figures, but murders are way up in D.C. this year.

[Sparta]

Whorealdo on his show called the transit union traitors for selfishly destroying the New York City economy during a time of war. I wonder what they are going to now.