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Early Addition
Photograph of commuters walking across the Brooklyn Bridge on December 20, 2005 by Jake Dobkin
The Daily News reports that the MTA has been meeting with the Transit Workers Union, "holding secret negotiations to hammer out a contract months ahead of schedule - and without the usual rancor." Nice, as we all remember what rancor and a lack of a contract meant last time: A three-day transit strike without subway and bus service--the exercise was good.
While neither the MTA nor union would comment, aside from the union saying the board is allowing union head Roger Toussaint to "seek an early settlement," the News points out two factors leading to these much more (seemingly) amicable talks. First, the MTA's new management has "forged a somewhat unprecedented working relationship with the union" (former MTA chairman Peter Kalikow had terrible relations with the TWU). Second, the union is also worried that delaying a contract in the faltering economy will hurt them.
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Word is that the TWU is demanding an extension of union member's protection from rape victim's lawsuits. They want to force the MTA to hire "Rape Stewards" who are the only workers allowed to call 9-11 or yell at rapists through the intercom while sitting safely behind bulletproof glass.
If any union member other than the "Rape Steward" is forced to help a rape victim, the worker can file a grievance with the union and request double overtime pay for the minute spent calling the NYPD. And if they sustain a "back injury" while dialing 9-11, they are entitled to early retirement with full disability, as well as lifetime membership at the golf course of their choosing.
what a bunch of pussies. so are they going to have raper stewards on call at each station?
goddamn. All we need are conductors. please replace the subway clerks with cops instead.
Fucking unions
Guess it's time to tune up my bike.
Hopefully, this will give them enough time to get their shit together. If we do have another strike, at least it'll give me an excuse to buy more base layers.
I've got a good pair of running shoes and a lightweight daypack-- bring it!