Was The New York City-MTA Transit Worker's Strike Worth It?

December 22-2005:

Was The MTA Worker's Union Strike Credible:

The position with the New York City MTA Union dispute has reached an impasse. The MTA is offering 3% for three years. This simply means that the workers will get 3% increase on their wages every year, for the next three years. There will be no increase in Pension contributions by the workers. All new /recruited/employees will have to contribute 2% towards their retirement pension. And the retirement age will be pushed forward for all new employees from 55 to 65 years.
That is the final offer from the MTA, according to it's Chairman. But the Union representatives are saying that is not satisfactory for them. They feel that the MTA is not being fair in it's offer, considering the high cost of living, the satisfactory performance of the workers for the past three years, and the surplus of one million dollars which the MTA made this year-2005, and could afford to provide reasonable increases to the workers.
The MTA decided to seek Conciliation for this dispute because they felt discussions were at impasse. The Union agreed to this measure, and efforts are underway for this recourse for conciliation. However, the strike was called off today (December 22-2005), without a 'Contract Of Employment But talks are continuing towards that end.
Meanwhile, the Courts have postponed or put on hold, all charges against workers until January-20-2006, presumably, to see what results will eventually emerge from these talks.

The Taylor Law:
This law was enacted to prevent any strikes within the essential services, like The MTA. This law was enacted some years ago, to protect the interests of The City, & The Mercantile Community, at the expense and helplessness of the common worker/s, regardless of the issues involved.
The Corporate Bosses, The Governor Of New York State, & The Mayor of New York City, claims victory for the end of this strike today (December 22-2005), and relishes the view, that all New Yorkers will be happy for this victory, and the ability for all workers to be able to travel as usual.

The Negatives Of This Strike Action:

* This strike have caused losses to both the workers, and the business community at large.
* The business community will always resent any strike from the workers, because it infringes upon their profits/income.
* The Mayor & The Governor are Public Servants, who will always side with the Business Community, because that is where their financial support comes from, at election time.
* The constituents will always get shafted in disputes like this, because they are not in a position to do anything about it.
* The striking workers & the business community have lost money/income from this strike action.
* Whenever there is no 'Contract of Employment' the employer has the option to arbitrarily dismiss/fire any or all workers deemed unfit or un-necessary in that enterprise.

The Positives Of This Strike Action:

* The willingness for the union's representatives & it's workers to go on strike, for issues that were long overdue or not reconciled, at this time of the year.
* The working classes only recourse for injustice, unfair labor practices, lack of a contract of employment, and ill-treatment, from it's employers, is to show collective action like this one.
* Unity & Solidarity among the workers is absolutely necessary, for victory to be achieved. With support from sister unions, the public, and the media at large.
* Victory can only be measured by "What The Union's Proposals Were, and "What They Have Finally Accepted."

CONCLUSION:
Let us all wait and see what the Court will decide to do with penalties. And if the final results of this dispute will produce 'A Contract Of Employment' for these workers!
Om Shanti.
Educator & Advocate.
Manhattan.
New York City.
PS: There Can Be No Victory Without A Struggle!