Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

The unions benefits and pay have been pretty widely covered. I read about them in the NYT. I'd say 95% of coverage I've seen has been anti-union.

But do they cover the working conditions? There is a reason they get paid more then joe blow in McDonalds. You have to go into the pit, get under some train, breath in all sorts of god awful crap that [censored] up your lungs, lie there welding some [censored] in the most awful conditions. My grandfather used to come home from work covered from head to toe in black soot. He wouldn't let anyone touch him. It was so ingrained it was impossible to get out.

The health conditions are horrible. The work is horrible. The conditions down in the tunnels are completely unsafe. But I haven't seen any cameras going down into the pit or the tunnels.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

It is really tough for me to comment on the status quo since I believe the city monopoly on transportation to be an abomination (for obvious reasons which we can see now). I agree in a sense, I don't favor the union, but I agree that the media should stop viewing the MTA workers (the individuals, that is) as slaves -- people who have are forced to work at a job even if they are unsatisfied with their wages/conditions.

Why does the media never mention that the city monopoly is the reason for this mess, not the motives of the workers?

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

When I quit my job a few weeks ago, I didn't have to pay a $25,000 a day fine for not comming into work. I don't see how you can't consider it slavery when you either come to work or they destroy your entire life within a week.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

The major media outlets are all owned by huge multi-national corporations.

Of course they are anti-union.

As labor loses more and more of its power, the super rich will get richer while the middle class will disintegrate.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

So you are generally a free-market guy unless the issue hits home? Would you become anti-free trade all of a sudden if a family member lost a job to foreign competition?

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

Some of us are trying to have a conversation. We don't think there is a massive corporate conspiracy. We think the world is complex.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

This is a pretty hollow appeal given the tone of most of your posts, in which your tone is one of pragmatism with a splash of arrogance. Typical of economic conservatives: free market is the best until it negatively affects me or someone I care about.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

Huh????

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

[ QUOTE ]
This is a pretty hollow appeal given the tone of most of your posts, in which your tone is one of pragmatism with a splash of arrogance. Typical of economic conservatives: free market is the best until it negatively affects me or someone I care about.

[/ QUOTE ]

Was this response meant for me? I was questioning lehigh's devotion to the free-market because he switched sides on unions just because he has family members in them.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

Switched sides on unions? What side? Unions and labor in general are part of the free market. The negotiation of wages is a vital part of capitalism.

When the government comes in and FORCES one side to capitulate that is interference in the free market. The problem here isn't the free market, it is governmental interference. The union and management, in any situation, should be allowed to negotiate without interference.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

[ QUOTE ]
It is really tough for me to comment on the status quo since I believe the city monopoly on transportation to be an abomination (for obvious reasons which we can see now). I agree in a sense, I don't favor the union, but I agree that the media should stop viewing the MTA workers (the individuals, that is) as slaves -- people who have are forced to work at a job even if they are unsatisfied with their wages/conditions.

Why does the media never mention that the city monopoly is the reason for this mess, not the motives of the workers?

[/ QUOTE ]

In fact, your premise is entirely wrong. The city has no control and little influence over NYC mass transit. The MTA is not controlled by the city, it is mostly controlled by the Governor.

But what is the alternative to public transportation for mass transit (which is heavily subsidized by the state and by drivers on the cities bridges and tunnel)? There are private bus companies providing services to certain areas where it is more economical to do so. Do you want to start digging private subway lines as well?

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

[ QUOTE ]
When I quit my job a few weeks ago, I didn't have to pay a $25,000 a day fine for not comming into work.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that a good analogy? You quit your job. These guys want to keep it. Not sure how that is the same thing.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

Why can't we have private subway lines. Half Tokyo subway lines are private. And I think the JR lines are private too now. They have the best train system in the world, why can't we follow suit.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

http://www.dunckleystreet.com/images/woody02.jpg

[ QUOTE ]
Well, I got me a job in this man's town
On this subway train down under the ground;
My pay's so low I went in the hole,
And I can't get out, folks, to save my soul.
Wages on the floor, prices on the ceilin'.

I want to work and help win this war,
And that's what I work on the subway for;
My car's so loaded, jammed and packed,
My wheels keep a-jumpin' on the railroad track.
Wheels need greasin'. Pay needs raisin'.

Well, I joined the union to win my rights,
I went to Mr. Delaney and put up a fight;
I told him my job was part of my soul,
But Delaney don't want my wheels to roll.
Neither does Mr. Hitler. Pestbrook Wiggler -- I mean jibbler --
Pestbrook, Higgler -- aw, skip it.

I told Mr. Delaney if my kids don't eat
All of you workers will walk the street.
Mr. Delaney just stretched and yawned,
He must not know there's a war goin' on.
People fightin'. Winnin' freedom.

I got to thinkin' 'bout this war I'm tryin' to win,
So I went to the mayor once again.
I said, 'I don't want no Hitler scale,
I want to roll to victory on a union rail!'
Pay house rent. Eat groceries. Get a beef stew.
Pound of coffee.

So if you want to win this war I'll tell you what to do,
You got to work and fight for the T.W.U.,
You got to toot your whistle, got to ring your bell,
You got to keep all the Fascists in a union hell.
Keep 'em there. Don't let 'em out.

You got to join the union, got to pay your dues,
Got to shake hands and stick it through,
I'm a union man in a union war,
And it's a union world I'm a-fightin' for
Union or fascist. Take your choice.


[/ QUOTE ] --Woody Guthrie

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

Why do your post here?

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why do your post here?

[/ QUOTE ]
Why do trolls do trollish things?

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

a massive corporate conspiracy isn't necessary for his point

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why can't we have private subway lines. Half Tokyo subway lines are private. And I think the JR lines are private too now. They have the best train system in the world, why can't we follow suit.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am not sure what you are refering to with "JR lines"?

Anyway, we cannot add new private subway lines and even if the MTA was to sell certain lines, the new private company would have a monopoly on the lines sold -- so the problems complained of would not be solved. I don't know if there is anyway to bring competition to predominantly-commuter mass transit system.

Re: Media Coverage of Transit Strike
 

No one sees those people, lehigh. The people visible to the public are bus drivers and token booth attendants. Therefore the general attitude among the anti-union crowd is, "I wish I could get paid to sit on my ass and retire at 55." The transit workers don't get the kind of respect that other public employees do.

I am neither for or against the union. As I've found in major league sports, it appears both sides are usually in the wrong when it comes to collective bargaining - that's why they agree to a compromise.

I was hoping this thread wouldn't go the way of privatization - I see that as very, very unlikely.