Notice the picket sign: "Not Going Our Way." It's meant to be a sarcastic variation on a transit system advertising slogan. But it could turn out to be an unintentional admission of how things are going for the union!
Posted on 12/21/2005 4:39:51 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
December 21, 2005 - 07:02.
When it comes to the Transport Workers Union strike in NYC, the Today show just can't bring itself to pronounce the 'I' word, for illegal.
In contrast with his Today show appearance yesterday, this morning NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg took off the verbal gloves, repeatedly condemning the union for its illegal strike, which violates of the Taylor Law prohibiting public employees in New York from striking. Among other things, Bloomberg stated that striking union members would be fined two days pay for every day the strike lasts.
But whereas Today gave sympathetic treatment to the plight of commuters and the city's economy, and Katie made sympathetic noises in her interview of Bloomberg, the show continued its peculiar reticence when it came to reporting the undeniable fact that the strike is illegal.
The 'I' word was never uttered by any of the Today crew covering the strike.
Lester Holt came the closest, indicating that a judge had found the Transport Workers Union "in contempt" and had imposed fines on it. But in contempt of what? Holt informed us only that the union had been found in contempt "of court". For all we knew from Holt, it could have been for picket lines too close to schools. No mention of the strike's illegality, no word of the Taylor Law.
When Katie concluded the coverage by observing: "it is really a difficult situation," she probably had in mind the plight of the city.
But her comment aptly applied to Today itself, as the show tiptoes around the intractable fact that a union is blatantly violating the law in a way that causes hundreds of millions of dollars of damage daily, with much of the brunt being borne by lower-income New Yorkers suddenly without jobs or unable to get to them.
You have no idea what you're talking about.
Fox & Friends is giving a free ride on a double-decker bus for anyone.
Notice the picket sign: "Not Going Our Way." It's meant to be a sarcastic variation on a transit system advertising slogan. But it could turn out to be an unintentional admission of how things are going for the union!
I dont think so. I'm not a New Yawker, but I have taken numerous trip to Manhattan - and I am quite impressed concerning their public transit system - especially their rail lines.
Channel Five news last night (I think it was 5, a ten pm broadcast anyway, so the local news) said "illegal" pretty much every time they said the word "strike". It was like, enough already, we get it, it's illegal!
Bloomberg should start firing those who it will be easiest to replace. Today. And keep moving up the line to the highest skilled workers. I doubt the token sellers will risk losing their jobs in order to help the motor men. Spread class warfare throughout their ranks, that would be my plan.
The Taylor Law has been on the books for decades and its constitutionality has never been successfully challenged. What is your source or basis for arguing that it is?
What prevents an employer from saying to employees: "I'm willing to offer you these wages and benefits in return for your agreement not to strike"?
Are laws prohibiting members of the armed forces from striking unconstitutional too?
Did you see it???
People are breaking the law. Arrest them or fire them. What's so hard about that, Katie?
After the public airing of Bloomberg walking across the Brooklyn Bridge to go to work in city hall, I was told by a reliable source that Bloomberg actually lives in Manhattan.
Is that the case? Was this just another publicity stunt on Bloomberg's part?
Responding to a question about how the strike could turn tourists (and their money) away from NYC, Bloomberg chuckled nervously. He said that the strike was making things a bit difficult, but "it's exciting!"
The CBS anchor said: "'Exciting'? That's an interesting word."
Perhaps its simply an undocumented strike.........
Yes, Bloomberg lives in Manhattan, so he wasn't really walking to work. So while in a sense this was a publicity stunt, I cut Bloomberg slack in this situation. It was basically a way of showing solidarity with commuters and defiance to the union.
The Unions want Higher wages and Earlier retirement.
No Problem Fire them today and let them look for higher paying Jobs.
Replace them with non union employees and treat them fairly.
No. Can't hear the tv from the computer room.
A contract is a contract.
These people are breaking the law. And to top it off - it's for more pay than there is money to pay them...
This strike represents the #1 reason Unions have become obsolite and bad four our country.
DingDingDing!!
Comment 'o the Day Award Winner!
Yeah. I wasnt intending to give Bloomberg a hard time on taking the walk, either. At least he hasnt caved in to the union, yet. Just found it interesting if that was the case.
The last time a strike was threatened, Bloomberg bought a bicycle to ride to City Hall in the event of a strike. It's a little too cold for that now.
It's my understanding that he has homes in both boroughs. Either way, I think it was for the cameras.
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