This is the first day of a Transit Strike. I’ll be spending the night at a friend’s house in midtown the next few days. The Restaurant is in midtown, the center of the city, even on a good day, the traffic jams are nutty. I often walk blissfully between parked cars that wait for their turn at the green light. A small part of me is excited to see how the city will cope without its transit blood. I wonder if the tourists will come out in force. If they’ll complain and expect their New York waiter to somehow magically fix the commute during their dining experience. Like we have some magical hotline to the Governor - “Yo Pataki; table ten is upset about the strike. What can u do for them?”
This thought comes with basis; I was working at the Essex House during September 11th a guest, so upset she had to walk from downtown to the hotel; covered in soot and smoke, was so troubled by her inconvenience that she began screaming at the front desk. Demanding a bottle of complimentary Champagne sent up to her room. She persisted to such a degree, the Managing Director had to call her and remind her that people had just died. He reminded her in no uncertain terms that she was out of line, after the call she huffed and puffed and stormed out of the hotel.
As most of the city braces and hopes that talks will once again commence. The local news shows are constantly talking about the semantics of the strike, the cities contingency plan and the gridlock. Yet at the heart of the issue is the breakdown of communication and the pensions of workers. Not just the pay raise. But the MTA is asking for a 6% contribution to the pension fund by new-hires. In essence this strike is about the future of the Union and workers rights. Something, I’m sorely sad to say has been forgotten. In this time of Enron, magically disappearing pensions and overworked employees. I’m actually glad that the TWU is taking a stand. A lot of people don’t support the strike; there are rumors TWU International, the mother union of sorts voted against the strike. Yet, I do wonder about the money the MTA spends, how I’m paying more for fare and getting, not that much in return; namely a transit strike. I would like to see the MTA held accountable for its actions, and to account for its billion dollar surplus.
I’m actually glad that the TWU has enough power to take a stance and to hold against the government. Let’s see what happens. Mind you, my tone will change if I find myself crashing on a friends couch come New Years.
[Check out images from Flickr]
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