Many a deceptive diary has portrayed this labor spat as the poor, oppressed people of color of the TWU against rich, white billionaires.
This is dishonest bullshit at its absolute worst, based not on reality but on lazy demagoguery.
The reality below the fold.
The first question you should ask yourself is: Who depends most on public transportation:
A) Rich, white billionaires;
B) Rich, white millionaires;
C) Affluent, white yuppies; or
D) Ordinary working people of all colors, ethnicites, and religions?
Anyone with a working brain stem will tell you that it's (D).
Rich, white billionaires don't need public transportation--hell, they only use it due to political considerations (Bloomberg) if they use it at all.
Rich, white millionaires can afford to take a month off from work. Or they can telecommute.
Affluent, white yuppies can telecommute, or they can have their employers pay for transportation--as is what is happening with investment banks, fancy law firms, etc etc.
Ordinary working people, without public transportation, don't go to work and don't get paid in far, far, far greater numbers.
Those that are lucky enough to find their way into their jobs are losing 4-5 hours a day in either wages or time spent with their families.
The physically disabled? They're fucked.
The homeless? Fucked.
And ask yourself: why we should support a strike that deliberately and disproportionately targets and harms people less fortunate than those on strike?
Seriously, take a poll of people on the 4 line in the morning rush (when the strike is over, of course)and ask them how many would like a job that provides the pay and benefits the average TWU worker gets--$55,000 a year, not paying a dime for health insurance, retirement at 55.
So, the next time you see a stupid rant about billionaire Mike Bloomberg, remember that this strike isn't hurting him. It's hurting the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who are less fortunate than their bus driver or subway conductor.
And please also avoid the trap of "which side do you support, the MTA or the TWU?"
Given those choices, most people will say the TWU, just because they loathe the MTA that much. Hell, I'd probably give that response.
But I reject that choice. If you ask most New Yorkers, they'll tell you two things:
- That the MTA royally sucks; and
- the TWU should not have gone on strike.
Both the MTA and the TWU have failed the people of New York. How such a vital service falls into the hands of such irresponsible people is a disgrace.