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There's a little more than a day and half for the MTA and the Transit Workers Union to negotiate a contract that will prevent millions of New Yorkers from complete and utter chaos on Fridays should a strike happen, so Gothamist will think positive and hope that once again, the two vastly different agencies will be able to agree on something that's good for all of us. That said, we're also reveling in the insanity that the negotiations are inspiring. Here are some stories we've been obssessing over:
- With the judge putting an injunction on a strike, the city has asked that striking workers be fined $25,000 each, with the union getting a $1 million fine - and then the strikes would be doubled each day after there. This is just the sort of thing that the union will love, especially if Mayor Bloomberg has to step in to negotiate the deal in the waning hours.
- Cabbies may sit out on Friday - and possibly more days - if there is a strike. Oh, yes. The director of the Taxi Worker Alliance told Newsday, "First of all, why should we scab for the city? Secondly, it's going to be economically disastrous and highly stressful." Well, no kidding, it's going to be stressful! Hello, chaos!
- If you haven't felt it before, TWU leader Roger Touissant hates Mayor Bloomberg.
- Strike panic is good for some business: More people are buying folding bicycles, scooters and skates. And Transportation Alternatives has great tips on biking to the city, whether there's a strike or not.
- Some schools wants the Department of Education to close schools if there's a strike; it sort of makes sense, because what if teachers can't even get to their schools? If only the schools could tell our bosses to do the same!
- Money isn't the only thing transit workers are concerned about - terror is another.
- ABC 7 has a map of what streets will be closed if there's a strike.
Gothamist admits that we have a bad case of strike-o-phobia, but that's because this year's negotiations seem that much worse than the ones in 2002. Are we crazy? And all our posts on the maybe transit strike.
Photo by Tien Mao
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man, it's waay too cold to bike to work. at least it's supposed to be warmer on friday.
Do you think Bloomberg will turn around and arrest all the cyclists?
Speaking from my own very narrow viewpoint, I hope there's a strike. Assuming there are a lot more people biking to work (in this cold, that's a big assumption), there will be additional pressure for office buildings to start allowing people to bring their bikes into their workplaces.
It's incredible to me that so many buildings provide _no_ accomodation for bike riders. I know my office would allow me to have a bike in the office, but the building management doesn't allow anyone to roll their bike in past the threshold.
This is going to be so cool.
WTF, in just about every major metropolitan area motorcycles would be lumped... but not in nyc...
it's amazing to see how F'd-up DOT is on supporting alternative modes of transportation (ie motor-bikes, scooters and pedal-bikes)
ps - i support the union 100% percent! i hope the taxi union doesn't scab...
Okay, the bike idea is completely untenable for so many people who work in this city. Yes, it seems charming if you have 20 blocks to ride, but not if you live at all far from your office. I live about 7 miles from midtown and there is no way in hell I'm braving the cold, traffic, and insane drivers/cyclists in a skirt, stockings, and heels.
Is that the Prospect Park station on the F?
If so, I will brim with pride...
Love the way that people in Upper Manhattan are going to have a hell of a time getting to jobs in, say, Queens or Brooklyn. The most northerly carpool point in Manhattan is 145th St.? How the blazes are we supposed to get there from Dyckman?
I'm on vacation all next week, so if there is a strike I'll have some time to plan my commute, but my wife isn't and her job in LIC refuses to acknowledge that nobody will be able to get there without subways or buses.
hey amy, it is prospect park.
A_B, you are dreaming. Why would businesses that till now haven't bothered to accomodate for bikes undertake a huge policy change, which probably costs them $$$, all because of a transient problem?
I have to side with the MTA on this. Why should they have to pay all the extra money for a workers pension and health care? Doesn't that seem like something the union should take care of? I mean what do you get out of your union dues? Why shouldn't the union take on the pensions and health care of its workers? I bet the MTA would be happy to give a 10%+ raise to all it's workers if the unions would take on pensions and health care. Maybe it is time that the unions adapted to the real problems a worker faces. The problem is with health care companies and the government, not the MTA. I know the union leaders would never agree to this because they don't want the responsibility, but I would think that the workers interests would be better served. I would rather see a union picket a health care company to lower its rates than shut down public transportation in NYC.
From the "biking tips" article:
Pedestrians always have the right of way, so be respectful of their vulnerability.
Umm... no, they don't. If a pedestrian is jaywalking against the light, they lose their right of way.
It's not too cold to bike out -- heck, I've been out cycling to work this week. However, it's supposed to rain/sleet on Friday -- and THAT is where I draw the line.
Hey Gwin,
Check out waterproof socks/gloves at sealskinz.com, if you ever feel like braving the rain (sleet...well, that's more of a bicycle sliding across the pavement issue...)...They work really well. Also good in snow/cold...
I was thinking of riding my bike to work if there's a strike, but not in the rain. I'll call in sick before I do that. I wonder if the weather report will make the union more inclined to strike. Think of how the subways and buses are more crowded on a normal rainy day because of all those people who usually walk or bike taking mass transit. Then factor in a transit strike? That's more of a mess than I care to think about.
Regardless of traffic lights, pedestrians do always have the right of way in the sense that they are always considered the victim if they are hit, with the hitter at fault. Not saying I agree...
We just received this letter from the Provost at NYU, "Temporary Housing Accomodations?":
Dear NYU Student,
As you have likely heard, Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union, whose
members operate the city’s buses and subway, has said it may go on strike
beginning at 12:01am on Friday, December 16. The University has been following
developments closely, and we want to share our plans with you.
*Examinations*
In the event of a transit strike, NYU will remain open, and it is expected that
final exams will go forward as scheduled. However, we understand that getting
to and from campus may be difficult for many of you who commute. If you are
facing particular hardships because subways and buses are not running, you
should alert your faculty member(s). Please keep in mind that although city
bus and subway services would be disrupted, other important mass transit
services will continue to operate, including the Long Island Railroad (LIRR),
Metro North Railroad, New Jersey Transit, PATH, Staten Island Railway, and the
Staten Island Ferry. Please think ahead about alternate systems you can use to
get to campus, and of course, allow yourself extra time to get here; you should
also check the schedules of these systems to see if there are any changes.
It is important for you to check your NYU email accounts and class Blackboard
sites regularly for important information that may come from faculty.
*NYU Campus Transportation Services*
NYU’s Campus Transportation Services -- which serves NYU’s Washington Square
Campus, Medical Center, the Dental Center, and student residence halls -- will
be offering expanded service on Route A (South), Route B (serving 80
Lafayette), and Route E (serving the Medical Center); Buses on these routes all
stop in front of 715 Broadway.
We are also adding new service to three key commuter hub locations: Penn
Station (bus can be met at 34th St. and 7th Ave., at the south side of the
street), the Port Authority Bus Terminal (bus can be met on the west side of
9th Ave. between 40th and 41st Sts.), and Grand Central Station (bus can be met
on the northwest corner of 42nd and Lexington). Those coming into Manhattan on
the Staten Island Ferry should proceed to the Water St. Residence Hall to catch
an NYU bus. Use of Campus Transportation is free to all NYU students, faculty,
and staff, but you must show your NYU ID to board. Schedule and route
information for the transportation hub shuttles will be available on Thursday
at the Campus Transportation Web site
http://www.nyu.edu/public.safety/transportation/
*Bicycles*
The University has four bicycle rack spaces on campus for use by the NYU
community. No special permits are required to secure bikes in these areas,
which include:
• The rear of Tisch Hall, on West 3rd St. between Mercer and Schwartz
Plaza (must swipe a valid NYU ID card to enter the rack area)
• At the front of the Coles Sports and Recreation Center, Mercer St.
between Houston and Bleecker Sts.
• Behind the security desk at the Meyer Building, Washington Place
between Broadway and Mercer St. (must show NYU ID to gain entry)
• On the north side of the Tisch School of the Arts Building, on Waverly
Pl. between Broadway and Mercer
In addition, NYU will permit faculty, students, administrators, and staff to
secure bikes to fences and rails on University property, and, where
appropriate, to bring their bicycles inside buildings. It is the
responsibility of the bike owner to ensure that the bike does not block
emergency exits or fire routes. All bicyclists are responsible for securing
their own property.
*Car Pooling and Parking*
In the event of a shutdown of buses and subways, it is anticipated that the
number of people driving vehicles into Manhattan will increase dramatically.
The Mayor's Office has indicated that only vehicles carrying four or more
passengers will be permitted to enter Manhattan south of 96th Street. The
University has created a special area for the NYU community at erideshare.com,
which will enable you to arrange for car-pooling with others who live near you.
The address is: http://www.erideshare.com/grouppages.php?group=NYU, and the
password is "nyu2005" (please note, there are no quotes when you enter it).
A list of local parking garages can be found at
http://www.nyu.edu/about/parking.html. The University is currently exploring
what other parking resources might be available in the area.
*Temporary Housing Accommodations*
Should a transit strike occur, it may be difficult for some members of the NYU
Community to make their way home. The University will provide free, temporary
housing at Coles Sports Center, for those of you who are unable to get home or
to find other housing arrangements close to campus. The facility will operate
on a 24-hour basis, will be staffed by Public Safety Officers, and will offer
access to showers and lockers. It is not necessary to pre-register. The cots
will be available through Thursday, December 22.
We also encourage those students living in our residence halls to be generous
to friends and fellow students who are unable to arrange for transportation
home. The University will relax residence hall policies to enable you to host
these guests.
NYU will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will provide ongoing
updates online at www.nyu.edu/info.alert and, as appropriate, on the
University’s information hotline, 212-998-1220.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please call the Student Resource
Center at 212-998-4411, or, after hours, the Office of Public Safety, at 212-
998-2222.
David McLaughlin, Provost
Jacob Lew, Executive Vice President
Hey guys,
I'm flying into JFK on Friday afternoon, and this strike is making me nervous. You think I'll have any trouble getting a cab at the airport, since they'll be the only form of transportation? What's the average rate for a taxi from JFK to the east village? and from JFK to the upper east side? What am I gonna do in Manhattan for 10 days without the subway to get around?! Thanks in advance for any advice.
I hope Australia doesn't come in and take over NYC public transit like the did in Chicago.... 1: if the union negotiates more money and better contract then clearly unions work, like them or not. 2: New York City has record breaking visitors this holiday season - you can't get hotel rooms, so, maybe the city has money to give from the tax pool beyond the already approved $11 billion 5 year MTA capital program. 3: Economically, compared to other US countries and cities, NYC subways and taxis are pretty cheap. Do we not want to keep it that way? 4: I bet the Mayor won't want the city to shut down in the middle of holiday shopping and tourisim season - not letting high-spending Eurpoeans visit our stores will certainly not help boost the dollar, and will leave a bad taste in the mouths of people that will return home - don't want to send a bad marketing message globally about NYC do we? So the question becomes: How do we get workers what they want and keep fares low? Maybe we should revisit the 5 year capital program and see where the money is going, but that's a dangerous thread to pull on.... Elliot Spitzer, where are you?
i want a strike for my own selfish reasons- no school. Though DOE said schools would be delayed for two hours, there's no way I'm going to walk through half of Queens in those 2 hours to get to school.
I have to agree with the MTA and GaryK's comment. The union is a pretty selfish organization. THe pay scale is more than fair and the benefits should be undertaken by the union. I've paid union wages before and when I join a union, i expect benefits, not just the gift of loud arbitrators on my behalf.
However, the injunction is unfair. The TWU has a right to strike and if anything should be enforced its the simple Taylor Law rule of losing 2 days pay per strike day (and i even think that's unfair). $25,000 fine for every striking worker is highly unnecessary and infringes on their rights.
Z: It doesn't seem fair that a cyclist would be at fault if a pedestrian steps in front of him/her without even looking and gets hit, but I'm sure you are right nonetheless... sigh...
Eli: thanks for the info!
dude: I just got this great all-sport helmet that has lil' ear flaps on it. That also really helps to keep your head warm on those long rides.
Bradd: I feel for ya, dude. It's probably going to be horrible at JFK... but at least taxis are allowed to pick up multiple passengers at one time.
If you ever wanted to start your own livery bus company, this may be the time. Although the city might get on your case for stopping to pick up people at bus stops. Where's Fung Wah when you need them?
Bradd,
JFK taxi fares are here. Highway robbery, I tell ya. Heck, it's back alley robbery, too.
"So the question becomes: How do we get workers what they want and keep fares low?"
you don't.
(to be fair, this answer also works for "how can we get the MTA to keep fares low?")
$25,000 fine for every striking worker is highly unnecessary and infringes on their rights.
Their rights to do something against the law? Nope, sorry, I don't buy it. Deciding to strike is tough, and I would respect their decision, but part of what makes it hard is accepting the consequences.
Bradd- The chances of a strike are probably actually very low, so I wouldn't get too stressed out. If there is a strike, well, you'll enjoy a very unique visit to the city...
Bradd- Take AirTrain up to Jamaica, catch LIRR into Penn Station, then hope you get lucky and catch a cab in city. You will have no chance of getting into Manhattan otherwise.
Does anyone else think the TWU is out of their bloody minds? The starting pay for a transit worker is $47,000 a year! That's a little more than what I make after four years at a major university and a disgusting amount of tuition debt, and these workers are complaining about their pay? They should feel lucky to be able to get a job with no college education that pays them that kind of money, plus benefits, plus pension! And trust me I realize that $47k doesn't carry you too far here, and I'm single, so I can feel their pain of having to provide for a family, but they are the ones choosing to live here-the South is three times as cheap for a family to live. We need a union for starving twenty-somethings that naively majored in graphic design, marketing, art history, etc and then even more naively moved to New York.
I have been thinking the same exact thing as Michael T. I'm currently pursuing my Masters and, when finished, I'm looking at $38,000 starting salary with the City of New York. Why should someone with no college education make such a significantly higher salary than someone who put themselves through six years of higher education? Not to demean anyone's job, but driving a bus does not require such a high level of skill....
I am really not for or against strike and this is a thought which came up... all strike that affects public(whether its healthcare, transportation, etc.,) should only be allowed one first day of the week which is Sunday but not on the week which has holidays, in this way public is not affected to that extent and people still have their rights to strike.
What is strike, its an expression to show that there are issues. Strike affects economy of people and the nation and sometimes life.
PLEASE STRIKE IT OUT BEFORE YOU STRIKE.
Nicole and michael t, you children are not supposed to be making 47K right out of college. You have to pay your dues. You are not entitled to more just because you have a fancy degree. Welcome to real life.
Entry-level workers are rarely useful in almost every professional field. These kids tend to be hot-headed and cause trouble for their superiors. Meetings get delayed and clients get bad impressions because of the mistakes and attitude of snot-nosed entry-level college brats. THIS IS WHY YOU GET PAID LESS. It has nothing to do with the transit union.
College is becoming more and more irrelevant as a factor for how much you get paid. Get used to it.
michael t, most MTA workers were born and raised in New York. What makes you more entitled to live here than them? You have some nerve telling native New Yorkers to move out of NYC just because your Midwestern artsy-fartsy design-school ass wants a cushy job making pretty layouts. I'm glad the MTA workers make more than you.
"THIS IS WHY YOU GET PAID LESS. It has nothing to do with the transit union."
you don't really believe this, do you? you really think this kind of labor without a union gets this kind of pay?
"College is becoming more and more irrelevant as a factor for how much you get paid. Get used to it."
hardly. go compare income surveys tagged between education brackets and get back to us.
The MTA is going to ban bikes on all Metro-North and LIRR trains in event of a strike. So that is not going to be good, as the bike train combo would seem like a winning idea. Then again, its the MTA the idiots who came up with the "Holiday Bonus" which could have been used to bribe/send into space Roger Touissant and his cronies.
For those on Staten Island, the Staten Island Railway will be running.
Funny observation, the MTA "Holiday Bonus" ads seem to run right before or right after the news segment about the transit stike talks.
I hope the strike happens. It will be exciting to see the chaos.
Fanofwalking says: "I hope the strike happens. It will be exciting to see the chaos."
People will die in ambulances, stuck in traffic---if the selfish TWU workers go on strike.
There will be gridlock.
And a bunch of lazy transit workers will be thrown in jail. Rightly so.
I'm pretty sure that the emergency order the mayor signed to change all the taxi/parking/driving rule changes for a strike also includes a provision that removes restrictions against bicycles in commercial buildings. So if your employer is saying it's against the rule, you should check into it, I think that rule has been waived temporarily.
and to the person who has to go to JFK this weekend - call a car service and make a reservation NOW before it's too late. once the strike starts, nobody will be able to get a taxi in this town.
"We need a union for starving twenty-somethings that naively majored in graphic design, marketing, art history, etc and then even more naively moved to New York."
This is the price you pay for majoring in something you happen to find interesting rather than something practical. I was an American Studies major and never dreamed I'd get a job that related in any way to my degree that would pay enough money - I bit the bullet and went to law school.
If you have a BA and want more money, you have to enter the professions, plain and simple - medicine, law, business. You may find this kind of work less-than-fascinating and/or extremely time-consuming, but these types of sacrifices are the way of the world. As a person with a BA, you have broader professional horizons than somebody without one - that's what your degree "buys" you.